Discusses issues relating to the reliability, validity, utility, and information value of unobtrusive testing of library reference services; provides suggestions for practical applications of these criteria; applies study findings to library decision making and planning; and identifies topics for further methodological refinement. (Author/CLB)

At the first Transborder Library Forum in 1991, 132 librarians from the United States and Mexico gathered to get to know one another, discuss issues of common interest, and begin to build an international network. Conference materials are provided in both English and Spanish. Keynote addresses were delivered by Alberto Alvaro Rios and Jesus Lau.…

Among information workers, the term "disintermediation" has been used to describe the diminishing role of the intermediary associated with the electronic information environment. IMPEL2 is a JISC-funded e-Lib Project investigating the social, organizational, and cultural impacts of the growing electronic library in United Kingdom higher…

Libraries offer Missourians of all ages educational and cultural opportunities unsurpassed by any other governmental institution or community agency. Missourians value their libraries, as demonstrated by high usage, approval of library tax levies across the state, and increased demand for library services. This plan provides direction for the…

The Harlan County Public Library Literacy Project (Kentucky) provided rural-oriented, basic literacy, and oral history programs to a community of 100,000-200,000. The goal of the project was to produce six booklets about local people and issues, to be used as literacy materials in programs with Appalachian students. Students wanted to produce…

This final performance report provides project outcome information and data to the U.S. Department of Education for the federally-funded Library Literacy Program. The West Georgia Regional Library conducted a project from October 1992 until September 1993 that involved collection development and providing tutoring services to adult learners in a…

The Peer Reference Counseling Program at Valdosta State University (Georgia) is a program designed to provide students with a unique opportunity to work at the Reference Desk at Odum Library. This program employs minority students and trains them to work at the Reference Desk answering basic reference questions and utilizing as well as…

This final performance report for the St. Charles Public Library and Literacy Volunteers of America-Fox Valley literacy project begins with a section that provides quantitative data. The next section presents a summary of activities during 1993 based the following project goals and related objectives: (1) increase visibility to attract students…

This document is a manual designed to improve library services to young adults. Information is divided into three parts: (1) "Applying the Planning and Role Setting Process to Library Services for Young Adults"; (2) "Evaluating the Results: The Measurement Process"; and (3) "The Output Measures." Part 1 discusses the Public Library Association…

This collection of statistical data on school library media programs for 1997-98 is designed to assist local education agencies (LEAs) in examining their library media collections and staff according to the recommendations in "Standards for School Library Media Programs in Maryland." Tables present the following data by public school LEA…

This document, to provide for effective library service to Asian language speakers, includes information on the culture of Chinese Americans, Filipino Americans, Japanese Americans, and Vietnamese Americans. For each group, the following are described: generations, immigration and length of United States residency; family and children; language;…

This paper presents an annotated bibliography of 69 articles published in the 1990s that examine the impact of technology on reference service in public, school, and academic libraries. The paper is organized in the following seven parts, each dealing with a different type of application of technology: (1) "General Change Caused by…

This paper discusses the status of library services and reading in Mali. Following an introductory section that provides miscellaneous data about Mali, the first section of the paper describes the development of libraries in Mali before the colonial period, during the colonial period, and during the independence period up to 1977. The libraries of…

This paper outlines experiences at the University of Queensland Library (UQL) in meeting the challenge of creating an appropriate library and information service to support effective learning. The changing customer base and the changing environments of higher education and libraries are described. Four strategies for extending the role of the…

Intended to encourage children of all ages to read over the summer, this manual presents library-based programs, crafts, displays, and events with a medieval theme. The chapters of the manual are: (1) Introductory Materials; (2) Goals, Objectives and Evaluation; (3) Getting Started; (4) Common Program Structures; (5) Planning Timeline; (6)…