Discussion of a user-driven survey conducted at the University of California, San Diego libraries focuses on the methodology that resulted in a high response rate. Highlights goals for the survey, including acceptance of data by groups outside the library and for benchmarking data; planning; user population; and questionnaire development. (LRW)

Discusses adult learners and higher education provided in a distance-delivery format; case studies centered on adult learners; library service and support needs; distance adult learners' expectations of library service support; potential resources for distance adult learners; and selected online learner resources. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the character of higher education in Australia and considers the emphasis on lifelong learning that is leading to new partnerships between faculty and librarians. Topics include the development of university policy; research and scholarship; higher degree supervision; curriculum design; and course development that includes information…

Describes a study of ARL (Association of Research Libraries) members called LibQUAL+ that identified users' perceptions of library service quality and measured gaps between expected service and perceived service. Discusses results of user interviews regarding information seeking behavior; self reliance; ubiquity and ease of access; and hours of…

Discusses methods used at the University of Washington libraries to assess user needs, satisfaction, and library performance. Describes the triennial user surveys used in the past as well as the new ARL's (Association of Research Libraries) LibQUAL+ methodology that focused on quality of service and library support through a Web-based survey.…

Reports on approaches to measuring the service quality of academic libraries in the United Kingdom. Discusses the role of government and the national background of quality measurement; measurement frameworks; better use of statistics; benchmarking; measuring user satisfaction; and possible future development. (Author/LRW)

Examines the usefulness of the Eisenberg-Berkowitz Information Problem-Solving model as a categorization for academic reference encounters. Major trends in the data include a high proportion of questions about location and access of sources, lack of synthesis or production activities, and consistent presence of system problems that impede the…

A content analysis of 220 job advertisements that appeared in "College & Research Libraries News" between 1973 and 1998 demonstrates that by 1998, all academic library jobs routinely included computer technologies, that instruction had become an integral part of reference work, and that behavioral skills, especially oral and written communication…

Discusses the growth in electronic learning for distance education in higher education and considers the impact on librarians. Topics include developing new services; serving traditional students as well as remote users; reaching faculty; Web-based resources; community college programs; and upgrading infrastructure. (LRW)

Analyzes a strategic planning model formulated for not-for-profit organizations, assesses how successfully it was applied at Indiana University Bloomington libraries, and discusses the political nature of the process, importance of quality leaders, communicating relevant information, collaboration, and opportunities for organizational learning.…

Discussion of academic library instruction and information literacy focuses on a Web-based program developed at Washington State University called Speakeasy Studio and Cafe that is used for bibliographic instruction. Highlights include the research process; asking the right question; and adapting to students' differing learning styles. (LRW)

This paper explores library evaluation in Australia and proposes a return to research fundamentals in which evaluators are asked to consider the centrality of philosophical issues and the role of different research methods. A critique of current evaluation examples demonstrates a system-centred, quantitative, input/output focus which fails to…

Whereas academic library participation in learning communities has become visible in recent years, the literature is still lacking research studies providing assessment data. This article offers the first perspective from students on the value of information literacy instruction through a learning community and the impact that instruction has on…

This "back to school" edition of College Connection features ideas and success stories from academic libraries that have welcomed first-year students in creative ways. Many libraries participate in campus orientation initiatives in order to introduce new students to the library as a welcoming place with helpful staff. These events can set a…

In this article, the authors share their experiences as librarians, and offer their perspectives on issues critical to the new academic librarian. When the authors sat down to sort through ideas for this article, it became apparent that while their backgrounds, coursework, and experiences differed considerably, their passions and concerns are more…