Historical review covers: (1) the rise of research and research libraries, 1850-1900; (2) the genesis of reference service, 1875-95; (3) the growth of reference service in the research libraries, 1896-1916; (4) reference practices in the research libraries, 1896-1916; (5) legislative and municipal reference work, 1900-16; and (6) current trends…

Considers the interrelationship of the challenges of information overload and outreach and describes a vision of the future mission of information services. The ideas set forth in two recent books on value-added processes in information systems and new priorities for the university are summarized. (28 references) (MES)

Discusses the organization of information in academic libraries and suggests that librarians' organizational experience could be helpful to other academic information systems. Technological advancements in libraries are explained, standardization is considered, and the need to manage information efficiently among all campus departments is…

The lead article in this symposium argues that academic librarians have become too enthralled with their perception of themselves as teachers and urges them to shift their emphasis from instruction to services. Six authors respond to this view in short opinion pieces. (11 references) (CLB)

Two articles describe computerized reference systems created for college libraries in New York (Cornell and SUNY Binghamton) and at the University of Virginia, respectively. (TE)

The ethics of book preservation are the same ethics held by institutions of higher learning: equitable access to information; protection of individual rights to privacy in using those resources; development of collections that are unbiased records of diverse viewpoints; and preservation of the human record with all its variety. (MLW)

Based on the experiences of the staff at the Penn State University Libraries, this article focuses on two issues involved in public use of CD-ROM products in an academic library setting: placement of CD-ROM systems in the reference area; and staffing and responsibility for equipment and software. (MES)

Describes problems encountered during the cataloging of three major microform sets at the Indiana University Libraries. Areas discussed include size and contents of the sets, staffing for the project, equipment, authority work, rare book cataloging rules, serials, language of materials, musical scores, and manuscripts. (CLB)

A year's cataloging backlog was sampled to learn if there were categories of materials that would receive priority cataloging at the Library of Congress or identifiable categories that should receive immediate local cataloging attention. Characteristics of uncataloged materials examined included subject areas, type of purchasing plan, and type of…

Describes the design and operation of a system that resulted from a project undertaken by a small specialized library to provide self-help for patrons seeking reference assistance. The areas of information available on the system are described, including standard reference titles, library holdings and services, reserve readings, and placement…

Demonstrates the application of multiple regression and double exponential elimination to patronage and circulation data collected at the School of Education at the University of Mississippi to examine the performance of its branch library. (six references) (MES)

Describes an instructional model for teaching library skills which consists of a 30-minute lecture followed by a 20-minute exercise. Assumptions about learning and the educational process are discussed as well as goal-setting for the class and exercise. It is suggested that this format could be applied to other disciplines. (10 references) (MES)

Looks at the use of online public access catalogs, the utility of subject and call-number searching, and possible archival applications. The Wallace Archives at the Claremont Colleges is used as an example of the availability of bibliographic descriptions of multiformat archival materials through the library catalog. Sample records and searches…

Describes a one-year experiment with collective management--i.e., management in which decision-making rests with the department as a whole--in the Oberlin College Library reference department. The planning process, problems, and advantages and disadvantages of this style of management are discussed. Several questions are raised about the…

Availability analysis was used to evaluate an online catalog in a small university library. Problems found likely to interfere with patron success with the catalog included: (1) incomplete location information; (2) incomplete holdings information; (3) misinterpretation by the search program of special characters; and (4) inadequate access points…