Describes InfoTrac, a self-contained periodical reference system designed for in-library use by library patrons; the core database provides coverage of 900 general interest, business, management, and economic periodicals. Confusion in library markets resulting from introduction of new computer technology is discussed, and hardware/software…

Suggests that as automated information services become more prevalent, it is essential that libraries find permanent funding to support this activity. Funding of information provided by an online search that satisfies legitimate educational and research needs with monies from print materials budget is considered. Three reactions to essay are…

Assesses the benefits of a minizoo project which incorporates an animal lending program. Describes the instructional opportunities made available to teachers and students through this offering. Also explains the functions and activities of an animal club for children. (ML)

Technical services staff at Library of Congress (LC) currently number approximately 1,500. In addition to cataloging library materials for LC collections and producing centralized cooperative cataloging, LC's Processing Services staff work to develop standards and formats for machine-readable bibliographic data that can be used in libraries and…

Discussion of the impact of new technologies (e.g., television, microcomputers) on library services to children highlights new intellectual demands, increased sophistication and pressure on families, meaning of changes for children's librarians, changing print materials, maintaining values of past, and selecting materials appropriate for…

At a two-day symposium held in DeKalb, Illinois, university administrators and library directors debated key issues of the library's role in higher education: invisible ownership of books, dual governance, on-campus competition for information delivery, collective bargaining and unions, government support, trends in higher education,…

Discusses sources of conflict between teaching and nonteaching librarians and identifies theoretical and practical contributions of library instruction to reference service. Arguments against library instruction, library applications of learning theory, improving reference services, conflicts in reference department, and future of library…

Investigates nature of academic library individualized term paper assistance programs that blend elements of reference and user education, and analyzes complex factors causing service to be mutually beneficial to both students and librarians. The term paper assistance program at the University of Michigan is profiled. Forms used are appended. (9…

Describes development of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library's Channel 16, the country's only library television station to produce programming 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Use of cable television, program administration and budgeting, programming, interactive information and reference services, measuring viewer response, and publicity are…

This discussion of online public access catalog (OPAC) user assistance includes results of focused-group interviews of 70 OPAC users at six libraries. Importance of printed materials, library staff assistance, users' problems relearning OPAC searching, computer-assisted instruction, multiple-dialog modes, informative system error messages, and…

A survey of 133 academic libraries reveals that most make online bibliographic retrieval services available to off-campus clients at prices higher than those charged to primary patrons. Extra charges are not inconsequential, being approximately $15/search or 38 percent of search costs. Eight references, questionnaire, and list of online vendors…

Traces origins of the Genealogical Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon), highlighting microfilm technology, equipment used, development of the 16mm camera, film processing, quality control, filming techniques, specialized microfilming, archival storage (The Granite Mountain Records Vault), the genealogical library…

Discusses factors that contribute to Santa Monica Public Library's excellence, including supportive city government and citizenry, city council, library board, lean top management, and the basic management team. Specific management principles and techniques, public relations, and measures of service at Beverly Hills Public Library are also…

A branch of Smithsonian Institution Libraries, the National Air and Space Museum Library provides materials and services to support research programs of National Air and Space Museum. Brief histories of museum and its library and summary of museum programs provide background for overview of current library users, resources, and services.…

Examines factors of philosophical significance to college librarianship that provide direction for daily decisions: growth of bibliographic instruction--role of metaphysical and metaphorical; need to integrate values of liberal education; understanding of social context--humanistic roots; and understanding of librarian's role of intervenor,…