Since subject indexes are extensively used in retrieval from abstracts journals it is surprising how little data is available on the performance of the many types of indexes now available. A handful of projects have been carried out in which an attempt has been made to isolate the elements which influence the performance of printed subject-indexes…

The object of this study was to record detailed descriptions of the procedure employed in a number of actual searches of the indexes to Science Abstracts. From these data, any problems which the users encounter would be shown and any areas in which the indexes might be better structured to suit the users' requirements might be determined.…

Two questionnaires were sent to individual and institutional subscribers to the American Psychological Association's Experimental Publication System (EPS) to investigate types of manuscripts and lengths of information units needed to support different job-related tasks. Basic findings from the questionnaire sent to individuals were that review or…

The report of the Five Associated University Libraries (FAUL) Access Committee describes procedures for increasing ease of access to FAUL holdings by its user populations, as developed within the two-year period from 1968-1970. Brief descriptions of the activities of the Committee covering: in-person borrowing privileges, circulation system…

Much of the content of this study arises from personal experience and private correspondence, as well as from observation and discussions during visits to countries where library services for the handicapped and disadvantaged exist. (Groups studied are: hospital patients; visually, physically and mentally handicapped; and the elderly, housebound…

This study sought to determine the extent to which selected publications of the Ontario Department of Agriculture and Food were received by farmers in the Province on Ontario, Canada. Investigations were made of relationships between various social and demographic characteristics of respondents, and their receipt of these publications. A…

This handbook represents a first attempt to provide library practitioners with practical guidance and tools for measuring the quality of library service. Excerpts from a wide range of literature provide a creative approach to understanding the needs of potential users. A variety of actual instruments for measuring the effectiveness of service and…

In August, 1971, The National Home Library Foundation of Washington, D.C., awarded to The George Washington University a grant to install a set of the ultra-microfiche "Library of American Civilization" (produced by Encyclopaedia Britannica's subsidiary, Library Resources, Inc.), together with all available associated equipment and bibliographic…

The identifiable age grouping of the optimum circulation interval for journal usage is five years. Heaviest journal usage occurs during the first five years after its publication date; and beginning with the sixth year, use becomes so infrequent that requirements for return of the journal within two days creates unnecessary hardship on the user.…

A study of the reserve materials collection at the Main Library from a usage and cost analysis perspective revealed that 93.7% of all items that circulated could have been circulated an equal number of times through the standard circulation procedure which allows material to be used for seven days. The remaining 6.3% of the material which…

Chapter I: "Background and Description of Regional Library Development in Ontario," aimed at placing the perspective of centralized processing within the framework of cooperative effort, presents some general discussion of these two concepts. The Ontario plan, and the relationship of the Midwestern Regional Library System and its…

Information analysis centers must perform the function of evaluation as well as compilation, in order to generate products and services with increased utility and user acceptance. Also, these centers must perform a dual role as wholesaler and retailer. These roles, as well as problems and examples of production and marketing experiences, are…

Both users and non-users of the Springfield, Oregon Public Library were interviewed for this survey. A user is defined as one holding a library card. Two separate questionnaires were administered to the two categories. Information from the users focused on what kinds of materials they want to read and their awareness and use of various library…

It is the plan of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science that the user of information will be the beneficiary of all its work. Thus, in order to gain a better understanding of the user's needs for information, the Commission developed a series of regional hearings. The regional hearings are to: (1) provide an opportunity for…

A survey of faculty and student usage of the reserve book collection at St. Cloud State College negated the original hypothesis of the author that the faculty helps to promote college library objectives by sagacious selection of reserve materials. Ideally, a reserve book collection should be made up of those books which are essential to the study…