Addresses the hypothesis that a shift toward more widely-available, less comprehensive workstation indexes is changing the nature of academic library research (based on statistical data from the chemistry library at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign). Topics include an explanation of Zipf's "Principle of Least Effort" and…

Guides librarians on how to assist users studying environmental public policy, and discusses sources under three main headings: environmental interest groups, business and labor, and government. Also examines social science indexes relevant to environmental public policy. A list of sources is appended. (Author/LRW)

Information needs of the business community vary depending on size and type of business, competitive environment, state and local support, managerial expertise, and other factors. Discussion includes ways libraries meet these diverse needs, including the offering of fee-based information services. (Author/AEF)

Explores aspects of accuracy (in the context of question answering) in reference services. Some factors that might influence accuracy include: education, attitude, reference setting, reference collection, the nature of requests, and the patron. (57 references) (Author/AEF)

Presents a fictional scenario of library reference service for the first part of the 21st century. Examines 10 major social trends for the 1990s; critiques services in terms of these trends and notes the library's role and the need to incorporate them into reference services. (Author/AEF)

Discusses efforts at the Montana State University (Bozeman) library to promote use of census data. Describes instructional sessions, and budgetary and service issues faced by depository libraries providing access to census data in electronic formats. Also includes copies of handouts from the instructional sessions. (Author/AEF)

Discusses readers' advisory services in public libraries and describes a method to convert information on specific books and genres to a computer database. Topics include utilizing staff knowledge, fields included for each book, the development of descriptors, the editing process, and writing summaries and critiques of the books. (LRW)

Discusses the needs of remote users of online public access catalogs (OPACs). User expectations are discussed; problems encountered by remote-access users are examined, including technical problems and searching problems; support services are described, including instruction, print guides, and online help; and differences from the needs of…

Describes characteristics of the online marketplace. Topics discussed include technology barriers; data ownership; markets for online services, including libraries and end users; marketing and promotion tactics, including exhibits and conferences, advertising, direct mail, and user groups; international marketing and service; strategic marketing…

Discusses academic library users who are not affiliated with the institution and considers the problems associated with them. Ethical issues are raised; possible solutions are suggested, including guidelines, bibliographic instruction, and user fees; and policies implemented at the University of California at Berkeley regarding unaffiliated users…

Includes three articles: the first presents rules and regulations from the "Federal Register" that focus on educational effectiveness in postsecondary institutions; the second discusses the appropriateness of various research methodologies for assessment and accountability of reference services; and the third examines data collection…

Reports results of a random sample of 120 community college library directors regarding the availability of bibliographic instruction (BI), BI program goals and objectives, the nature of BI programs, adaptations for special constituencies, and trends and institutional characteristics. Findings are compared to American Library Association standards…

Reports on the activities of state agency personnel involved in helping local school systems develop library media services. State agency characteristics are discussed, the activities of the National Association of State Educational Media Professionals (NASTEMP) are described, and recent publications are reviewed. (four references) (LRW)

Describes the results of Flossmoor Public Library's long-range planning initiatives for youth services, which has resulted in improvements in collection development and programing. Evaluation procedures and techniques were recognized as valuable learning tools to increase the effectiveness of services, enhance communication with the board and…

Describes the home libraries program (i.e., circulation of reading material among children in a neighborhood, with one child acting as librarian) begun by the Boston Children's Aid Society in 1885. Similar programs begun by the Albany (NY) Library School and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (PA) in the 1890s are also described. (13 references)…