This paper reports on a study that analyses the questions asked and services offered at the information desk in the reference department at the Kent State University main library. A total of 460 questions asked during 52 hours of scheduled time at the information desk in Spring 1997 were categorized. The main types of questions were directional;…

The catalogs of 19 large urban public lending library systems (10 American and 9 Canadian) were examined to determine the extent of their holdings of 222 gay-related titles. The populations of the libraries' service areas ranged from about 100,000 to three million. The title lists comprised classic and contemporary works taken from standard lists…

This guide features 10 customizable, ready-to-run workshops for librarians wishing to establish or refine ongoing Internet training for staff members or patrons. Each workshop in the book includes an introduction, an objective, a timed lesson plan, tips, a sample script, and reproducible handouts. In order to provide for the variety of settings…

Library literature is replete with articles envisioning libraries in the year 2000 and beyond, yet the librarian is rarely discussed. There is recent evidence that the traditional stereotype image of the librarian is changing. The purpose of this study is to examine the image of librarians in science fiction and fantasy novels and video tapes.…

Fontbonne College's academic dean and vice president for academic affairs appointed a task force in August 1997 to investigate, over the course of one year, ways in which the library's development could be centered in teaching and learning. More specifically, the task force was to determine how library and information services could be rooted in…

This document contains statistics and input-output measures for all Colorado public libraries. Tables of the following 1997 survey data are provided: state totals and averages; public library addresses; telephone, fax, and URL for public libraries; public library directors; borrowers, outlets and bookmobiles; ALA-MLS librarians, other staff and…

This book provides a format for taking information traditionally collected by library media specialists and showing how it can be used to examine existing programs or to document the need for a program change. Field-tested in several school districts, this new tool includes all the necessary forms and worksheets school media specialists will need…

The lack of library facilities, books and documents, and trained personnel are significant obstacles to Indian Tribes and Hawaiian Natives engaged in developing and strengthening public library services. The Library Services for Indian Tribes and Hawaiian Natives Program is the only Federal library program that provides direct grant funds for…

A study was conducted to determine if the centralization of playback machine operations for the national free library program would be feasible, economical, and desirable. An alternative model of playback machine services was constructed and compared with existing network operations considering both cost and service. The alternative model was…

Noting that one of the three major themes for the 1991 White House Conference on Library and Information Services is the role of the library in literacy education, this digest begins by describing how national awareness of the problem has led to legislation, both at the state and federal level, to fund new literacy programs and expand existing…

Designed to assist individual public libraries in the development of policies and procedures, these guidelines include examples and/or samples of points that should be considered and addressed in a policy manual. Following a brief introduction, the guide is divided into four sections, each of which contains a set of general policy statements…

This report describes how the University of Alaska Fairbanks provides library and information services to students in rural Alaska. The Elmer E. Rasmuson Library in Fairbanks created the Extended Campus Services unit for undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, researchers, nondegree students, and specific patron groups who needed…

This manual has been designed as a practical guide to quantifying and measuring the results, or outputs, of public library service to children. The basic output measures presented are tailored to reflect library services to children (defined as persons 14 years old and younger) and their care givers. Six categories of measures are presented: (1)…

As California Indians confront contemporary issues, their need for timely information is vital. The library at California State University (CSU), Fresno, serves students enrolled in Native American studies courses as well as members of the San Joaquin valley community. Information sources include both recorded information and the "invisible…

Bibliographers and librarians are aware of the new information technologies in information storage and retrieval. CD-ROMs and online database systems are two technologies used daily to assist users in accessing needed information. Although these resources are lacking in the fields of journalism and mass communication, possibilities for…