Discusses sources of available data on reference questions asked and answered in public libraries, and analyzes data collected between 1970 and 1985 in nine states. National data from libraries in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain are also presented. (Author/MES)

Describes steps taken to improve usage of a public library young adult collection: (1) a survey of students' reading interests and needs; (2) analysis of the collection; (3) comparison of survey results with the collection; and (4) selection of additional titles. An annotated bibliography, the questionnaire, and survey results are appended. (11…

This report describes a pilot project to develop a Cooperative System for Public Library Data Collection, which would enable the Center for Education Statistics (CES) of the Office of Educational Research and Improvement to issue national statistical reports on public libraries by using data collected by state library agencies in their annual…

Database documentation is provided for users of a data file consisting of a directory of all main public libraries in the United States. The directory development survey began with the mailing of a computer printout containing listings of each state's public libraries to the chief officer of the appropriate state library agency for updating. A…

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…

Frequency-of-circulation distributions from 16 United Kingdom libraries participating in initial period of operation of the Public Lending Right are discussed. Differences between the libraries are highlighted, and, for each, the adequacy of various refinements of the simplest model (geometric distribution, negative binomial distribution, or mixed…

Two sophisticated--autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), straight-line regression--and two naive--simple average, monthly average--forecasting techniques were used to forecast monthly circulation totals of 34 public libraries. Comparisons of forecasts and actual totals revealed that ARIMA and monthly average methods had smallest mean…

A survey of 200 Iowa rural public libraries serving a population of less than 2,500 was conducted in 1984 to determine reference service characteristics. A total of 137 libraries responded to a survey modeled after a questionnaire developed by Bernard Vavrek for a 1981 nationwide survey. It was found that the number of full-time staff members was…

Reports on a study of the effects of participation in public library summer reading programs on children's reading skills. Results on a standardized test administered to 279 students in grades 1-5 in May and September are analyzed and compared for participants and nonparticipants in the summer reading program. (MES)

Tests hierarchical regression model--library employee's salary is a function of library size, public sector collective bargaining strength, library's ability to pay, cost of living in area, presence of any union and union representing librarians in library--on three salary levels (department head, beginning librarian, clerical worker). (29…

This study estimates the proportion of academic and public library acquisitions in the United Kingdom for which a UK MARC record is available at the time of cataloging. A beta-binomial model is used to attribute standard errors to each estimate and to compare differences between the two types of libraries. (Author/LRW)

Examines the relationship between personality, as represented by Rotter's internal versus external control of reinforcement (locus of control), and frequency of public library use by university freshmen. Review of literature, hypothesis for study, definitions (independent and dependent variables), methodology and data collection, and findings are…

Proposes and investigates feasibility of using three new variables in addition to simple activity counts in measuring reference services: (1) user questioning regardless of where activity occurs; (2) treating individual user and question as unit of analysis; and (3) examination of questioning in context of other library use. (11 references) (EJS)

This report describes a study designed to determine whether the collection of computer software by libraries falls into a pattern of library type and whether patron use of computer software falls into a pattern of clientele type. Following a summary of previous research, a discussion of the study methodology describes a survey of 154 randomly…

This nationwide study, conducted to investigate extent to which sex of individual is controlling factor relating to salaries, career progression, and library support, compared the careers of male and female public library directors serving populations of 100,000 or more in continental United States. Questionnaire is appended. (21 references) (EJS)