This essay focuses on types of health information the public is seeking and sources for obtaining health data. Discussion of librarian's role in providing health information covers legal entanglements, reference interview, collections and services provided by academic health science libraries, hospital libraries, and public libraries, and future…

These guidelines for library services designed to meet the particular needs of older adults cover special library materials, outreach programs, utilization of older adults as volunteers and employees, relationships with other agencies, and including this population in library planning and resource allocations. (CLB)

Identifies aspects of reference services amenable to evaluation, discusses the need for measures of service quality as well as quantity, presents modifications of current measures that meet this need, and stresses the importance of linking performance measures to library planning. (CLB)

Discusses the need for reference librarians to learn reference materials well enough to be able to review materials and correctly refer patrons to information sources. The review process is outlined and some evaluation of current reference services is provided. (CLB)

The first of two articles on the acquisition and implementation of a large laserdisk service at Texas A&M University covers funding, donor recognition, selection and ordering of databases, planning and integrating the service with other information services, and future funding and plans. (5 references) (MES)

Suggests ways of using computers to access the periodical literature including integrated public access catalogs; natural language display; network access to area union lists; links between indexing and location tools; access to journal content through the online catalog; broadened search capabilities; and remote user access with document…

Briefly describes the current status of artificial intelligence and expert systems, and explores the possible applications in libraries and information centers. The implications for reference services, classification and cataloging processes, and assistance to patrons desiring in-depth reading of an area of knowledge are discussed. (4 references)…

Describes the implementation of the OCLC Search CD450 system with the ERIC databases at Southern Oregon State College. Technical support, learning the system, user aids, patron response, security, and future plans are discussed. An introduction to searching on the system and a sample search screen are shown. (MES)

Infrastructures and competitiveness are considered in the context of library networking, library service, and economic development in the state of North Carolina. The North Carolina Information Network, a network developed and maintained by the state library and responsive to the needs of the nonlibrary community, is described. (MES)

Traces the evolution of the Queens Borough Public Library's New Americans Project and describes its multifaceted approach in assisting immigrants to adjust to their new environment, including: (1) foreign-language collections; (2) English as a second language courses; (3) coping skills training; and (4) cultural programing. Seventeen references…

Past studies that apply the sociological definition of professionalism to librarianship are summarized, and recent criticisms of this definition are investigated. Alternative models of professionalism and concepts of theoretical knowledge and service are discussed, and a reexamination of the professional nature of librarians' work is proposed. (23…

Presents a model that calculates the conditions under which a library may adopt a highly service-oriented online catalog access policy at minimum additional cost. The use of arrival rates, service rates, and queueing calculations to arrive at a cost-effective policy is explained. (Author/CLB)

Presents overview of common characteristics and problems of academic libraries in China which operate under rules issued from the central government in Beijing. Discussion covers building design, furniture and equipment, budgets and salaries, personnel management, collection development, library materials, use rate, effects of the Cultural…

Describes functions of Sahel Documentation Center established at Michigan State University (MSU) in September 1976, with support of grant from U.S. Agency for International Development to Department of Agricultural Economics, MSU Library, and MSU African Studies Center. Filming of the collection and its contents, including U.S. government…

This discussion of information technology and its impact on library operations and services emphasizes the development of microcomputer and laser optical disc technologies. Libraries' earlier responses to bibliographic utilities, online databases, and online public access catalogs are described, and future directions for library services are…