As the use of online literature searching systems increases, the need for reducing the amount of nonrelevant material encountered by the users becomes more apparent. One method for achieving greater selectivity in document retrieval is by using relevance (or utility) estimates from past users to estimate document values for future users. However,…

The socioeconomic makeup of the community served by the Mott Public Library, Toledo, Ohio is described in detail. An account of the library's services and programs, in connection with their "disadvantaged" patrons, as well as the author's personal difficulties in establishing a citizens' advisory committee and an unsuccessful branch…

The first year of a two-year project to develop a method for user evaluation of purchased scientific and technical information services was directed at those services which provide information without interpretive evaluation or analysis. Using a case history approach, factors were identified to be used in composing a matrix of parameters and…

The Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA) of Minneapolis/St. Paul was formed through an agreement among local library districts to share collections, services, and loans. During the formative years of the program, state aid for regional library development was apportioned to local branches on a per capita basis. Since this method did not…

Librarians at 17 New York public and academic libraries designated as depositories for New York State publications were surveyed to obtain information on such depository practices as acquisition, shelf arrangement, bibliographical access, and processing time. Information was sought on estimated document use and value, and various aspects of the…

Results of a survey on the classification and arrangement of microforms in 147 moderate sized college and university libraries in the United States are presented. Statistics on the size of microform holdings and arrangement of microforms are given. The absence of standards for arrangement of and access to microforms is discussed, and treatment of…

This report contains the results of a 1970 survey designed to assess the impact of the High School Geography Project (HSGP). Included is a sample of the thinking of those interested in geographic education concerning the direction of future efforts in the field. Questionnaires were sent to approximately 600 members of the National Council for…

With the increase in institutional research activity and the number of reports resulting therefrom, there is a growing need for better assessments of the impact of such reports. This paper proposes a framework for analysis of institutional research report impact. The three major dimensions identified are: (1) time (short-term, intermediate, and…

The application of cost-benefit analysis to two library delivery systems--bookmobiles and books-by-mail (BBM)--is described. The study surveyed 36 bookmobiles and the mail order delivery (MOD) of books in Pennsylvania. The analyses are intended to provide decision-makers with guidance in determining (1) the kinds of information which must be…

Library services to industry was the theme of four workshops held in Fresno, Altadena, Palos Verdes and Sacramento during March 1969. The composition of the panel at each workshop and the procedure for each panel presentation were basically the same. Each panel had a representative from industry and four practicing librarians: a public librarian,…

In 1969, four Workshops on Library Service to Industry were held in California (see LI 002 163). Expressed interest in additional workshops on the same subject resulted in the two workshops reported here. The composition of the panel at each workshop and the procedure for each panel presentation were basically the same. Each panel had a…

To achieve their mission, Federal libraries have at least four basic responsibilities: (1) to collect and organize pertinent recorded information, in whatever form required, to meet managerial, research, educational, informational and other program responsibilities; (2) to provide ready access to their materials and to assist users in locating…

Utilization of the card catalog in the main library (Sterling Memorial Library) of Yale University was studied over a period of more than a year. Traffic flow in the catalog was observed, and was used as the basis for scheduling interviews with a representative sample of catalog users at the moment of catalog use. More than 2000 interviews were…

One of the biggest problems in education is that of showing the necessity for the provision of library services and demonstrating the difference it makes in academic achievement. An even bigger difficulty, perhaps, has been the existence and application of instruments capable of giving statistical evidence. The problem of this study was to…

Since 1966 the Chemical Society Research Unit in Information Dissemination and Retrieval at the University of Nottingham has been evaluating the use of "Chemical Titles" (CT) and "Chemical-Biological Activities" (CBAC) as current awareness services. Early results of this evaluation led to the Students' Chemical Information…