A survey of 113 Texas libraries examined characteristics of reference positions to determine whether there were important similarities and differences between public and academic libraries in the areas of professional qualifications for employment; job skills and responsibilities; work scheduling; benefits; and departmental characteristics. The…

Reports on a study of the information-seeking behavior of users of Infotrac, OCLC, Newsbank Electronic Index, and LS/2 at the Bowling Green State University Libraries. Data gathered via interviews are discussed as they pertain to the user's profile; understanding of systems functions; effects on information-seeking behavior; and appropriateness of…

This study, which focused on the extent to which Lake Forest College (Illinois) students were aware of library reference services, used interviews and a revised version of a survey used elsewhere. Findings showed student awareness to be relatively high, and that the methodology would work well in other undergraduate settings. (Author/EM)

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)

College freshmen enrolled in English composition classes were polled to determine their attitudes toward two different methods of bibliographic instruction: the lecture-discussion practicum and the workbook. Analysis indicated that most students perceived the lecture-discussion to be the more successful instructional technique for both general and…

A questionnaire survey eliciting opinions of 47 university administrators (nonlibrarians) on issue of faculty status for academic librarians indicates that 23.4 percent of respondents felt that librarians were appropriately classed as faculty, while 76.6 percent believed that academic librarians were more appropriately placed in professional…

Surveys librarians in academic libraries to determine extent to which publishing is factor in obtaining tenure and/or promotion. Methodology, results of survey (faculty status, tenure, publishing as criterion for tenure and/or promotion, publishing as option), and comparison with Rayman and Goudy's study are discussed. Seven references are cited.…

A survey of 133 academic libraries reveals that most make online bibliographic retrieval services available to off-campus clients at prices higher than those charged to primary patrons. Extra charges are not inconsequential, being approximately $15/search or 38 percent of search costs. Eight references, questionnaire, and list of online vendors…

The survey described in this report was designed to test whether or not library directors are able to recognize the existence of the problem of burnout (the emotional and physical exhaustion due to continued stress on the job) and how, if at all, top management of the institutions of which the library is a part view and deal with the issue. Survey…

A survey of academic libraries which were members of the Association of Research Libraries in 1983-84 studies the organizational patterns that exist for collection development. Findings reveal that, although a variety of patterns exist, the one outstanding development has been the upgrading of the unit responsible for collection development.…

A survey of 29 medium-sized academic libraries gathered data on collection development methods in foreign literatures including the language and academic background of the bibliographer; bases of selection decisions; acquisition rates for French, German, and Spanish literature as compared to English/American literature; acquisition practices; and…

The relative effectiveness of the CD-ROM information retrieval system, InfoTrac II, and the manual "Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature," was studied. Seventeen community college students were divided into two groups which researched the same questions either on CD-ROM or in the printed index. Results showed the "Readers'…

A survey at the University of Port Harcourt (Nigeria) examined faculty attitudes toward returning overdue library books. Results were analyzed using the cluster method of factor analysis, and forgetfulness of library obligation and personalization of resources were identified as the primary factors influencing faculty to retain books. The…

Tested the hypothesis that increasing library services would increase returns of a questionnaire generated by that library. Students and faculty were surveyed before and after new services were offered at Wharton School. Results suggest source of sponsorship should be related to user group to be surveyed to maximize return rate. (CDD)

A survey of public and academic libraries conducted to obtain information on length of reference desk shifts and proportion of the reference librarian's time spent at the desk found the two-hour weekday shift to be the most common, and that librarians typically work 7 to 21 hours per week at the desk. (EM)