Bridgeport may be considered a "typical" American city with an active historical past. However, few records of local history have been collected. The public library, which has an existing collection on genealogy and 19th century history, has initiated a program to actively seek archival collections. (JAB)

ALA's Public Library Association Goals, Guidelines, and Standards Committee presents this interim document--the first in over a decade to guide public library managers and lay decision-makers in assessing public library services--for review by the public library community. (Author/JPF)

The development of film services and use in the public library is described from its beginning in 1910 to the present. The rationale presented is based on examination of certain keys periods in this development and takes into consideration both library practice and its theoretical basis. (MBR)

A UNESCO consultant describes services provided by academic, public, and school libraries in Mauritius, and discusses levels of professionalism and salaries of librarians, opportunities for library education, and the possibility of developing a national library service. (JAB)

Presents guidelines for the design and production of printed promotional materials for library programs, lectures, movies, exhibits, and community events. Areas covered are typography, printing, production, costs, copyfitting and layout, printing stock, and binding. (VT)

Addresses the question of whether eight public libraries can work together to serve a common area. The problem, objectives, personnel, programs, materials, and training involved in setting up shared staffing to provide regional service to Spanish-speaking residents are described. (VT)

An evaluation of the reference referral program at the University of California Library at Santa Barbara was conducted by a committee of the Librarians Association of the University (LAVC). This committee designed a referral form, a plan for its use, and a methodology for evaluating the program. Conclusions are complex and raise more questions…

Today's library users prefer a less formal relationship with the reference librarian. Library schools are responding to this trend by offering courses in communications strategy. Library researchers recommend sensitivity training for librarians. (JAB)

The purpose of this study is to review communication theory models and some of the literature from philosophy and linguistics in an attempt to supply a rational explanation for the generality of opening reference questions. (Author)

When a small agriculture research library initiated computer-based retrospective literature searches, there was a significant increase in the library's interlibrary loan activity. Results of a study to determine the extent to which interlibrary loan activity was affected by the implementation of this service are reported. (JPF)

The computer-based reference process includes the user pre-search form, appointments, search strategy negotiation, on-line sampling and on-line search session. The role of the search analyst, his personality and communication skills are discussed in relation to the success or failure of a computer search. (JAB)

If librarians from all areas of reference and information service understood their own roles better, then they might feel more capable of fruitful interchange transcending common institutional boundaries. (Author)

The history and development of the libraries in the academies of sciences are described. The focus is on the role of the network of these libraries in (1) the centralized acquisition and cataloging of scientific publications and (2) scientific bibliographic activities. (Author/JAB)

Believes librarians should cut themselves loose from the goals of school and set up alternative learning networks. (Editor)

Biomedical libraries are discussed as a distinct and specialized group of special libraries and their unique services and user interactions are described. The move toward professional standards, as evidenced by the Medical Library Association's new certification program, and the current state of development for a new section of IFLA established…