Describes the provision of library services to performing musicians in a music conservatory and focuses on their need for information in three main categories: (1) access to collections through library catalogs and other sources, (2) sources for the study of musical scores, and (3) research using sources for contextual and background research. (10…

Academic libraries and schools of library and information studies (LIS) may, by using LIS students to staff an information desk as fieldwork for a basic reference course, collaborate to provide useful educational experiences to LIS students and reliable reference service to library users. (Author/AEF)

Discusses the results of a survey of academic reference librarians, library schools, and professional associations for information professionals in the United Kingdom that examined ethical issues in academic reference librarians' work, how professional associations relate to these matters, and how well library schools are preparing information…

Explores ways in which senior academic librarians contribute to the long-term educational, professional, collegial, and career development of entry-level reference librarians. Literature on reference training is reviewed; and four roles of senior librarians are described, including teacher, advisor, interpersonal role model, and mentor. (Contains…

Describes use studies of OCLC's FirstSearch, an online reference service for end-users, that was conducted at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Qualitative and quantitative research methods are described, including use statistics, online user surveys, questionnaires, and focus groups; and strengths and weaknesses of FirstSearch are…

Presents views of eight library jobs considered to be among the most desirable based on an informal poll of over 50 librarians. Directors of public libraries, the Librarian of Congress, state librarians, special librarians, and reference librarians are profiled, and a list of 22 additional desirable jobs is included. (LRW)

Describes part of a project designed to develop a user-based approach to measuring the extent to which services provided by librarians meet or exceed user expectations on a consistent basis. Results show that academics and librarians have similar expectations, but there are differences in the emphasis each group places on aspects of service.…

Discussion of information on tests needed by social science researchers focuses on reference sources and a search strategy to assist reference librarians in locating pertinent material. Highlights include a review of related research, databases, print sources, test bibliographies and reviews, and sources of information on unpublished tests. (LRW)

Examines three publications as guides for evaluating library reference services and the potential of one for the development of children's services. Highlights include public library planning, limitations, output measures for children's materials and information services, and the library role. (AEF)

Describes new products that relate to document delivery, including a wireless electronic mail connection; multivendor office integration software to exchange electronic mail; analog film recorders; an electronic messaging system for personal computer local area networks; software for transferring data files; voice message delivery systems; and…

Describes the use of laptop computers by reference librarians at the East Carolina University Health Sciences Library. Topics discussed include computer selection; online searching; office space utilization; the professional image of librarians; security measures; expansion capabilities; and the development of a local area network. (LRW)

Discusses changes in the information science field based on personal reminiscences and suggests an agenda for the future. Topics addressed include information relevance; the reference process, including question negotiation; curriculum changes in information science; the value of information; and how people use information. (LRW)

Includes two reports: a report of the results of a survey of state library association executive officers that examined the practices and priorities given reference activities at state conferences; and an annotated bibliography of 100 books, articles, and dissertations published between 1980 and 1990 that discuss librarianship in Ghana. (12…

Argues that librarians should and can develop new electronic information products to meet their users' needs and describes the development of three such products at the Graduate School of Management Library at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)--the RATIOS file, the REF-LITE Project, and the expert system Who?Biz. (EA)

Suggests that nonusers of academic libraries should be identified and studied because they are part of the same three groups they expect to attract: faculty, staff, and students. The results of the application of lifestyles research to public library user groups are reviewed, and their implications for academic library reference services are…