Defines and describes formal cooperative library reference services and discusses the major variables that produce differences in cooperative reference networks: size, composition, funding, services, delivery mechanisms, control methods, and resources. (Author/LLS)

Briefly reviews the current developments in public access catalogs and poses questions for the public service librarian. (FM)

Proposes the utilization of catalogers and other professional staff, rather than nonprofessionals, to augment reference librarian staffing. Shrinking reference staffs and lengthening service hours have created personnel shortages at the reference desk. Arguments for and against the proposal are examined. (RAA)

Argues that some reference librarians, often without knowing it, have become fact-totems--people who have made objects of worship out of facts. In suggesting an antidote to this "Gradgrind pedagogy," the author critically reviews some "reference" books. (JD)

Describes the use of search engines to search the World Wide Web for homework or reference questions in libraries. Subject directories, basic engines, and metaengines are discussed; examples of useful homework-oriented Web site directories are given; and suggestions for reference work are listed. (LRW)

Suggests reference sources most appropriate for a desert island. In addition to "Robinson Crusoe" (Daniel Defoe) and a reference guide to the literature of travel, the list includes basic books on reference work, guides to reference sources, journals, an almanac, encyclopedias, a guide to English usage, and a book of quotations. (14 references)…

Describes each of 13 steps in the reference process in terms of its objectives, facts about it, and rules for handling the facts. Rules are then discussed for today's mixed online and printed source environment as well as for an online sources-only environment. (five references) (MES)

Presents the following data by subject category on 1990 prices of periodical subscriptions: (1) average price; (2) percent increases; (3) percent increase since 1981; (4) percentage of titles increasing; (5) average price by Library of Congress classification; and (6) increases since 1977. Comparisons with the Consumer Price Index and data on…

This study compared online versions of LISA (Library and Information Science Abstracts), Library Literature, and ERIC to investigate time lag and duplication of coverage. Six searches of each database were executed over a period of 15 months. Results indicated that Library Literature had the least time lag and LISA the most; duplication was low.…

Several leaders in the online industry react to the sale of DIALOG by Lockheed to Knight-Ridder and comment on possible future directions for DIALOG. A sidebar describes the Knight-Ridder organization and its information services. (MES)

Examines reference questions received at the archives of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to determine why archival reference service is more time-consuming than standard academic library reference service. Also discusses differences in kinds of information and resources provided, arrangement of materials, and description and access.…

Genie Tyburski did not set out to be a law librarian. When asked at Drexel's library school what kind of librarian she wanted to be, she was surprised that "a good one" was not one of the options. But six weeks into the semester, she landed a part-time cataloging job at Community Legal Services in Philadelphia; six months later she was…

In order to learn from experiences of academic libraries that combined their Circulation and Reference functions into one service point, an informal survey was conducted through relevant listservs. Some academic libraries have combined Circulation and Reference Departments at one desk and others are in the process of doing so. The results…

"ARL" is the bimonthly report on research library issues and actions from ARL (Association of Research Libraries), CNI (Coalition of Networked Information), and SPARC (Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition). "ARL" reports on current issues of interest to academic and research library administrators, staff, and…

What types of information sources do masters and doctoral (M and D) students at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) use most, how do the patterns of use differ across subject disciplines and faculties, and to what extent does the Library and Information Services (LIS) keep or provide access to the journals that are mostly used by M and D…