College faculty who learned to do online bibliographic searching were surveyed immediately following and one year after training workshops. Information was gathered about user characteristics, their motivation for learning to search, and type of training needed, and conclusions were drawn about need for academic libraries to provide end user…

Detailed analysis of 462 university faculty search request forms identifies similarities and differences among representatives of academic disciplines in their approaches to seeking information online. Search particulars noted include comprehensiveness, scope, language, retrospectiveness, relevant citations, search purpose, funding, clarity, and…

Summarizes four options for libraries that want to offer end user searching: end user systems (Bibliographic Retrieval Service's Afterdark, DIALOG's Knowledge Index); front-end microcomputer software (Sci-Mate Searcher, Pro-Search, WILSEARCH); gateway services (EASYNET); and local databases (now available on floppy and compact discs). Advantages…

This essay addresses the role of the children's librarian in introducing youth to the characteristics and use of information technologies. Discussion covers the Electronic Utopia, library education's view of services to youth, problems of illiteracy and semiliteracy, and differences between oral and literate cultures. Nine sources are given. (EJS)

This essay on means by which the profession of teacher-librarianship might be strengthened, and even enhanced, highlights the mission statement and resource center programs, role of the teacher-librarian, cooperative program planning and teaching, research and study skill development, education for school librarianship, and program advocacy. (EJS)

Presents Checkland's soft systems methodology, discusses it in terms of the systems approach, and illustrates how it was used to relate evidence of user survey to practical problems of library management. Difficulties in using methodology are described and implications for library management and information science research are presented. (8…

The Library of Congress has embarked on a three-year pilot program in image preservation and retrieval using optical disk technology. Print materials (text, maps, music) will be captured on digital optical disks, and nonprint materials (motion pictures, slides, drawings) on analog optical disks, or videodisks. (EJS)

Presents results of survey of 48 academic library directors on use and effectiveness of public relations (PR) programs (planned PR programs administered by one person, coordinated PR programs, favored channels of communication, importance of academic library PR). Recommendations based on survey results and review of literature are offered. (22…

Describes the process and results of the development of a set of systematic and formalized learning objectives for teaching and evaluating online catalog use which stemmed from research project conducted at Northwestern University. Planning principles, program evaluation, and adoption of educational models are noted. Learning objectives are…

Describes creation of list of approximately 200 serials that consistently publish job openings in various disciplines and are included in University of California Davis holdings. Production, distribution, and use of the list are noted. Field and job title index, journal listings, and data collection and evaluation forms are appended. (EJS)

Guidelines for developing effective research assignments were distributed to University of Colorado, Boulder, teaching assistants and faculty by the Instructional Services Librarian. Suggestions concerning what to do (i.e., clarify research objectives, schedule library presentation) and what not to do (i.e., limit research to particular index or…

This profile of university libraries in Pakistan covers history of higher education and role of the library; organization of library service (strong central library, decentralized library service, central library with department libraries); resources and collection building; technical processing; readers' services; administration and staffing;…

Public library users made judgments about the competence of reference librarians whom they observed in videotaped interviews. Two social factors were varied in the interviews: the gender of the librarian, patron, and observers; and the communication behavior exhibited by the reference librarian toward the patron. Nineteen references are cited.…

This article describes how a model developed by the British Library can be used in school libraries to disseminate community information to students. Definitions are given and possibilities, problems, and advantages associated with the delivery of community information in school environments are outlined. Thirteen references are cited. (Author/EJS)

Describes project undertaken to improve bibliographic access to individual works contained in "Landmarks" sets published by Readex Microprint Corporation. Highlights include reasons for project, cataloging, profile-matching, identification of subject content, in-analytic records, cost per title, project value, rare documents, scholars'…