Results of survey of 44 academic libraries indicate that: foreign students have problems in using library; instruction for foreign students should be offered as separate program; type of instruction and degree of coordination between library and other areas on campus differs markedly. Program idea sources and 18 references are included. (EJS)

Twelve online searchers in several reference departments in a major urban university library were interviewed to identify the criteria that are present in successful searches from the searcher's perspective. The study was designed to show that successful searching requires active participation by both the searcher and the patron throughout the…

Fifty-five Association of Research Libraries member academic libraries were surveyed to determine trends in use of commercially available online numeric databases. Databases searched, searchers, users, publicity, library role in relation to numeric databases, and librarians' attitudes toward and knowledge of databases are examined. The…

Presents results of survey of personnel allocation practices for online search services in 10 Canadian university libraries noting implications for remedies to problems at University of Ottawa. Assignment of searches on basis of subject specialization, training library technicians to run online searches, and end user searching are discussed. (EJS)

This study evolved from a survey of all academic libraries in Georgia, designed to identify current online activities in the state's academic libraries, and to predict future directions and trends. The information was gathered to provide a pool of data for comparison, planning, management, and administration of online services, and to serve as a…

Reports results of survey investigating aspects of weeding of materials in reference collections at 377 U.S. colleges and universities: existence of written policy or unwritten weeding practice; extent of weeding; frequency; what happens to discards; effect of shelf space, staff time, and use of materials on weeding decisions. (5 references) (EJS)

Analysis of user surveys at Texas A&M University indicated service is rated highest at the reference desk with 80.4% satisfied, while 55.3% found what they needed at the information desk and 55.3% in the database room. Although the information desk referred 62.5% to other sources, only 46.4% were satisfied with the referral. Includes survey…

A survey of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) information in libraries measured scope of information, scope of reference and referral patterns, and librarians' opinions on the adequacy of AIDS information relative to patron needs and community education. Librarians should take an active role in developing collections and networks about…

In order to determine the feasibility of offering free online searches to undergraduates at Texas A&M University's Evans Library, free searches were offered to selected technical writing classes. Student evaluation of the searches are provided and ways to make the service available to undergraduates are suggested. Ten references are cited.…

This report describes a five-part study conducted at the Brigham Young University library during the winter semester of 1987 to assess the quality of the reference service provided to library patrons by student reference assistants (SRAs) after a full semester of SRA participation in the reference patron service system. The study focused on…

This System and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) flyer/kit is based on two research efforts: a 1986 SPEC survey on the collection and use of management statistics related to reference services, and a 1987 supplemental survey on qualitative measures of reference services. A brief introduction describes the survey and discusses the evaluation of…

Reports the results of a survey which examined the response of academic libraries to the needs of deaf students in terms of reference services, staff interaction with students, bibliographic instruction, formal policies, and outreach programs. Several recommendations to improve library services to deaf students are presented. The questionnaire is…

Documentation supplied in this kit demonstrates how research libraries provide services to visiting scholars as distinguished from other categories of external user. A "visiting scholar" is most often defined as a faculty member affiliated with an institution of higher education but the term may also include independent scholars and persons…

For this kit, 106 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) academic libraries were surveyed concerning: (1) current administration/organization; (2) evaluation; (3) patron relations; (4) services; and (5) the impact of online searching on collections. Responses were received from 83 libraries, many of which contributed sample materials. Analyses of…

This College Library Information Packet (CLIP) Note surveys training programs in small and medium-sized academic libraries. In August 1995, 265 small and medium-sized academic libraries were sent a questionnaire; the response rate was 78% (n=206). A comprehensive analysis of survey results is followed by examples of training documentation…