Eight public libraries participated in a two-year experiment to investigate the potential of the public library as a "linking agent" between the public and the many machine-readable data bases currently accessible using on line computer terminals. The investigation covered users of the service, impact on the library, conditions for…

In recent decades, new pressures have been placed on library management, including inflation, the proliferation of published materials, diversification in the demand for library services, and changing library staff expectations. Management approaches to these fundamental issues can be grouped into the following general categories: (1) management…

Presents data on the use of microfilm backfiles of 140 periodicals over a three-year period in a community college library, showing 25 percent of titles were unused in each year, with five titles accounting for over 50 percent and 30 titles for over 90 percent of use. Scholarly journals were rarely used. (RT)

Reports the results of a survey of 50 academic libraries that have Kurzweil Reading Machines and discusses librarians' responses to both factual and opinion questions about use of the machines. The questionnaire used in the survey is included. (Author/CLB)

Traces historical developments and recent trends in library and information science research in United States, Great Britain, and India; discusses factors contributing to developments in United States and United Kingdom; and reviews Ranganathan's contributions in detail. Some factors hindering research in India and areas which require research are…

This statement in support of Education Consolidation Improvement Act reauthorization discusses six topics related to school libraries: (1) purpose of school libraries; (2) research supporting need for school libraries; (3) current status; (4) funding realities; (5) deteriorating book collections; and (6) impact of federal aid. An American Library…

Explores issues surrounding efforts to introduce online catalogs to users and presents relevant research results from Northwestern University's "Educating the Online Catalog User" project. Highlights include attitudes and preconceptions about online catalogs and instruction, research on online catalog use, suggestions for online catalog teaching,…

Library usage study of OCLC network-provided software and services indicates most users make local modifications to standard practices. Findings are discussed in terms of network models for decision making in software use; methodology of software user studies; and diffusion of innovation processes in postimplementation stages of transaction…

This article reviews major contributions to participatory management theory (formal involvement of people besides administrators in the governance of an institution of which they are a part); examines the arguments of library proponents and critics of the theory; and draws conclusions about its application in libraries. Thirty-one references are…

Review of trends during past 20 years in publishing of research and research results in librarianship in United States notes three characteristics of effective system of scholarly communication: access (bibliographies and indexes, research-alert columns, annual reviews); entry (journals, monographs, textbooks and readers, conference proceedings,…

Develops a conceptual model which places public library use in the context of a series of interrelated decisions made by consumer about allocating time to various activities based on relative costs and benefits, and tests the model against available data on the characteristics of public library users. Seventeen references are included. (EJS)

This review, undertaken on behalf of the Australian School Library Association (ASLA), was conducted over a 4-week period in November-December 2002 with the purpose of: reporting on the nature and extent of the evidence that has linked school libraries to student achievement since 1990, identifying the strengths and gaps in existing data as it…

Seven issues of Fast Facts from the Library Research Service that cover information from libraries across Colorado are contained in this document. These issues focus on topics from various library sectors and include patron use of AskColorado (a statewide virtual reference service) and the rising use of online services, Colorado public library…

A two-week library unit of an introductory history course is profiled. The purpose of the unit is to familiarize the students with both the general and specialized resources available to them. (DH)

The subjects of these metropolitan public library study summaries include: book-selection and purchasing, commercial libraries, library research in developing countries; international understanding through literature, international school for library services, statistics, staffing formulas, and facilities and service of selected libraries.…