Through a comparison of the historical perspectives of medieval and modern libraries, this paper is designed to clarify the purpose and goals of the library, and to promote a public and intellectual debate to guide future developments. The Middle Ages were chosen because libraries possessed an importance and centrality to learning, civilization,…

This survey of 57 members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) examines technical and management issues in providing remote access to their online catalogs, as well as with instructions and services for remote users. It is noted that most ARL libraries have not yet conducted studies to project the extent of use of remote access, although…

Intended to provide a guide to the most useful, practical, and relevant methodologies developed and implemented over the past 20 years for assessing a library's effectiveness, this bibliography provides citations to 72 selected studies evaluating the use, collections, and services of academic libraries. The citations are organized into three major…

This paper discusses the evolution from the vocational emphasis of librarianship to a new research and higher education oriented concept of library and information science, focusing on changes in the Nordic countries, and Sweden in particular. Recognizing the strong interrelationship between analytical reviews for policy decisions, research and…

Modelling its self-study on earlier document availability research by Saracevic, Shaw, and Kantor, the Periodical Department of the William Paterson College Library (Wayne, New Jersey), evaluated service to its patrons. Specially modified and coded periodical request forms were collected from a sample of patrons who requested periodicals from the…

This investigation of the use of nonfiction books borrowed from an academic library--the Main Library at the Ohio State University--examined two premises which underlie the creation of full-text electronic information systems of nonfiction books: that such books are generally read to obtain information, and that they tend to be read in parts. Data…

The main article in this issue is a report on "Salaries and Expenditures of Illinois Special Libraries, 1983," based on 366 usable responses to a mail questionnaire. Data on 14 variables (including 4 aspects of salaries) are cross-analyzed by 6 factors: geographical area, person to whom head librarian reports, sex of head librarian, size…

A study was done in the spring semester of 1983 at the East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas, to investigate the attitudes of 28 international students with regard to the importance and effectiveness of a library skills instruction course and their understanding and/or use of other library services and materials. The graduate level,…

In order to ascertain what data elements should commonly be considered in the development of a meaningful procedure for recording and analyzing library reference transaction data for planning purposes, a comparison was made between the development, use, and results of surveys designed and tested at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and the…

In 1978 a team of three people was formed to survey the existing library training facilities in East Africa and to suggest possibilities as to how the elements of information science could be introduced either into existing programs or into special courses organized for the purpose. The team submitted its report to a joint meeting of the…

Research on public libraries is conducted in library and information science schools, commercial firms, state library agencies, research institutes, and some public libraries and library systems. While a number of library science professionals demand research, there appears to be a lack of the communication of research results so that they may be…

This user's guide to conducting a preliminary search of the ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) database on CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory) begins by briefly describing the types of materials found in ERIC and explains the four steps common to the any computer search: (1) definition of topic elements and formation of concept…

The following papers were presented at a joint conference of the Colorado Library Association and the Mountain Plains Library Association (MPLA) in October 1986: (1) "Development of a Strategic Plan for the Harold B. Lee Library--A Model for Public Service" (Larry Ostler); (2) "The Library Committee in MPLA Libraries" (Ronald…

This report describes the pilot data collections and post-questionnaire interview activities of the Council on Library Resources (CLR)/Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) Online Public Access Project. The background of the project is briefly described, the purpose and adminstration of the post-questionnaire interviews are outlined, and pilot…

Papers on theory and research in library history presented at the 1982 International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) conference include: (1) "The Future of the Library's Past: Library Administrative Records Preservation, Policy and Practice," a discussion by Paul Sturges (United Kingdom) of the need for library records…