The main objectives of the Institute, which was founded in 1941, are to act as a center for bibliographic and documentary information and to be the co-ordinating body for the libraries belonging to the ten schools of the University of Buenos Aires. To fulfill this objective, the Institute library possesses the most important sources of…

A Rand Library user survey was conducted in February 1975. It involved the collection of sufficient baseline data describing user characteristics, usage, and satisfaction parameters to enable specific library policy alternatives to be evaluated. This article gives a brief overview of the survey instrument design, the data collection methodology,…

The Task Force on Goals, Organization, and Planning, established in January 1976 to review the operations of the Library of Congress (LC), recommends changes to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the institution. Suggestions are made without regard to budgetary restraints. Major recommendations included in Part I concern the areas of: (1)…

Subcommittee on Public Relations, Continuing Education (CE); State-wide Borrower's Card and School Library Specialist submit reports. The Public Relations Subcommittee makes nine recommendations. The general recommendations of the Subcommittee on CE include (1) the creation of a Steering Committee on CE; (2) the involvement in CE of three…

This study was conducted to determine how librarians answer reference queries, and to develop instructional materials for teaching the answering process. Twenty-three science and technology reference librarians used and commented on a six-step model of the search strategy process. The model was then revised to include the following steps: (1)…

Community characteristics must be identified and analyzed before relevant library planning can occur. Although census data indicate that the Kent County resident is not the type of person usually thought of as the typical library user, there is a record of active community participation in the county which indicates a strong potential for…

Examines two traditional approaches to the measurement of library service--the gathering of circulation and reference statistics--and relates them in a statistical model in an attempt to define real standards against which a library's activity can be compared. Graphs comparing reference and circulation statistics are included. (Author/JD)

The jobtype of an academic librarian--administrator, public service librarian, or technical service librarian--appears to be an important determinant as to corresponding contacts with various types of information sources important in decision making. (Author/MBR)

The sparse population and great distances in Finnish Lapland, the northern third of Finland, and the lack of library personnel and funds create special problems for library services. The author describes the library situation and needs in that area. (MF)

Describes an experimental "reference desk" on the American pattern in the Mulla Sadra Library of Pahlavi University. Results showed that the role of the reference librarian in the traditional societies needs to be more concerned with education of the library user and public relations than in the Western nations. (VT)

The key to productive library service to institution residents and staff is the empathetic, competent librarian who possesses technical library skills in selection, organization, and retrieval of materials; a comprehensive reading background; ability to work with law materials; and familiarity with other professions and the institution. Training…

This paper reports the results of a study conducted at the University of Arizona Graduate Library School, to determine whether students taught reference using an audio-tutorial method would differ significantly in learning ability and attitude from students in a traditional reference course. (Author/KP)

Presented are the results of a study which examined the scope of the ERIC data base. Recommendations include a more explicitly stated policy for selective indexing of data base and indexing procedures, and also a consideration of indexing, but not abstracting, relevant dissertations. (AP)

This survey of academic public service librarians shows a decline in negative stereotypical perceptions of older adults from earlier studies. However, this may not necessarily indicate a desire to offer services to the elderly, and the factor of self-selection may be present with regard to librarians' involvement with such services. (Author/EM)

Outlines basic principles and philosophy behind library multicultural programs and provides brief overview of development of such programs in Canadian libraries. Programing themes (cultural identity, contribution of ethnocultural groups to Canadian society, interpretation of multiculturalism as social policy) and suggestions for integrating…