The need for library services standards to reflect the growth in cooperation and interdependence among libraries and for accountability and their intended purpose, impact on directional changes, and on services improvement are discussed as well as the implications of their being based on scientific inquiry. Listed are 24 sources. (RBF)

Examines the library short course orientation program for support staff, primarily secretaries, administrative assistants and researchers, teaching and laboratory assistants, at the University of Victoria; summarizes course evaluations, and poses suggestions for program improvement. (CWM)

Discusses the nature of the problems involved in setting up software libraries including cataloging, diagnostic test routine filing, language standards, the transfer of programs from one system to another, and modes of operation. Experiences of the Scottish Microelectronics Development Programme in their effort to establish a national software…

Local school districts are urged to develop placement programs which (1) teach students to place themselves; (2) have the support of boards of education, administration, and other staff; (3) build on existing programs; and (4) make use of guidance and library staff and facilities. (CT)

Describes the integration of the library and media center at Joliet Junior College (Illinois). Enumerates operational procedures involved in the process, as well as the resultant organizational changes within the college's administration. Discusses the advantages of the new facility and describes the media services which have since been added. (JP)

Presents a state-of-the-art of the reference interview with emphasis on evaluation. Article discusses the interview in terms of its components and which of them can be measured or evaluated. Components include performance of professionals v nonprofessionals, physical setting, verbal and nonverbal behavior, and user satisfaction. Implications are…

Data from student and teacher questionnaires, interviews with school librarians, and examination of bibliographies of student papers were collected in six metropolitan area public schools working to study facilities used and assistance received by students on independent study assigments. Results indicated that students successfully used a wide…

This study on the relationship between user preferences, library characteristics, and library use, employed a sample of 655 students in five medical schools. Findings, which support some traditional principles relating library characteristics to use, indicate that neither availability of audiovisual materials nor comfortable physical environment…

All teachers, including school librarians, have the responsibility of helping people utilize (not only discover) information to help themselves. They must promote questioning and the active life of the imagination. (Author)

Focuses on the design and capabilities of the WLN (Washington Library Network) computer system to provide reference and other public service functions. Specific topics addressed include bibliographic formats for microform and online catalogs, bibliographic standards for reference use, the effects of AACR 2, and the growth of the WLN system.…

Implementation plans and methodology for achieving the effective transformation of a traditional high school library to a Library/Media Center are given. (Author/MK)

Following an outline of the educational facilities available for the children of the Sorb minority, the author describes the publication and distribution of children's books in the Sorb language in the bilingual districts of Cottbus and Dresden in the German Democratic Republic. (Author/CWM)

A library user exposed to immediate communication with a librarian is more satisfied with the reference interview and question negotiation than when communication is nonimmediate, but there is no difference in satisfaction with information transfer. "Immediacy" evolves from the relatively positive feelings generated in the user by the librarian's…

Two applications for the World Wide Web are discussed in light of projects in a University of Southern California library: (1) as a resource in the library, presented with the same information-literacy skills that should accompany any resource; and (2) as a publishing tool where content is created according to the particular instructional…

Describes a Web-based reference tool developed at the John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory to meet the information needs of researchers. Offers practical advice to other librarians interested in providing a similar service. (Author/AEF)