Describes a training program based on research in the private sector, which was developed to improve the performance and job satisfaction of the library's public contact personnel. Suggestions are offered for future research and applications based on trainee and patron evaluations. (Author/CLB)

Strategies for facilitating the reading of scientific textual materials are described, including establishing the reading level of the text, decoding figures and illustrations, recognizing the text's organization, inferring and remembering word meanings, sampling the text and inferring meaning, reading attentively to verify predictions, and…

Describes a survey of 724 management students in New Zealand's Technical Correspondence Institute which was conducted to determine whether the introduction of educational technologies could decrease the dropout rate. The multiple linear regression model that was used to analyze the questionnaire responses is presented, and predictor variables are…

Reviews a study of 167 British secondary school students which evaluated a course developed to improve television literacy by focusing on skills related to recall and drawing inferences from and making judgements about programs. Pretests and posttests given to groups divided by ability levels are described and results are analyzed. (Author/LRW)

Reports results of a survey of specialized administrators of public libraries which examined administrator characteristics, including positions held, professional self-identification (librarian or other), educational background, civic and professional activities, career patterns and job satisfaction. The need to examine further the disparities…

Promotes the use of humane education as a vehicle for teaching students how to make bar graphs. Provides ideas for bar graph activities for both primary- and intermediate-grade children that focus on different kinds of domestic and wild animals. Suggests expanded types of graphing activities involving survey techniques. (TW)

The impact of an automated circulation system and online catalog on interlibrary loans at a county college is evaluated in terms of activity by patron type, periodicals usage, costs, borrowing activity, and interlibrary loan activity. (CLB)

Describes databases available on optical disks, compares the databases with their print and online analogs, and suggests that the librarian should call such products to the attention of users needing information available in CD-ROM format. Five features desirable to most libraries are listed. (Author/CLB)

Describes the methodology and findings of a study that examined the reasons that people use academic libraries and the relationship between library use, library instruction, and user success. The conclusions identify library services and physical facilities that may increase user satisfaction. (Author/CLB)

Responses from library school faculty and academic library directors, asked their perceptions of the faculty and educational quality of graduate library programs, are ranked and compared to earlier surveys. Distinguishable trends of changes in schools' prestige are identified, and the validity of perception studies and qualitative rankings is…

The database of school district budget information developed by Educational Research Service provides a means for comparing local school budgets nationwide. The data, classified by per pupil expenditure, show average percent of budget allocated to various categories, personnel budget allocations, and regional variation in the pattern of funding…

Data from a computerized circulation system were used to analyze usage patterns of a middle school library (grades 6-8) and to suggest ways the available data may be interpreted and used to decide upon future collection management and acquisition policies. Tables show composition and use of the various ranges in the collection. (14 references)…

Discussion of advanced technology and its effects on libraries and information delivery systems describes online information systems and CD-ROMs at the Georgia Institute of Technology Library; explains the changes in information services from supply-oriented to demand-driven, and considers nonprint materials and their effect on the publishing…

This study reanalyzes data collected in 1977 from 95 Ohio school districts and develops a theory of dissatisfaction that may accurately predict school board elections. According to the theory, only when people are dissatisfied enough will they become politically active. Seven tables and 16 references are included. (WTH)

Develops the argument that academic research libraries should use their materials budget to provide access to materials in all formats, including machine readable information in both locally available systems and commercially owned remote online databases. (CLB)