Currently "Big Data" is an emerging field that presents several Information Technology challenges regarding the capture, storage search, structure, and visualization of this data. The real challenge for organizations is to find ways to extract value from it and provide better services to their clients. The data generated in academic and…

Examines development of social libraries (formed by associations for member use) in New England and rest of United States before 1850, and social and public library growth between 1850 and 1900. Opinions of contemporaries and seven aspects of American life indicating reluctance to abandon social library are highlighted. (27 references) (EJS)

Study of trends in financing public library buildings reviews data on federal, state, local, and private funding sources since the Carnegie era, and discusses statistics on expenditures by category, including construction, equipment, and site. Data are presented in 12 tables and graphs. (30 references) (MES)

A study of employee turnover in 31 public libraries in the American Midwest established baseline turnover rates and examined the relationship of gender to turnover behavior. Findings showed that: turnover rates are low compared to other occupations; and turnover rates of males and females are similar. (28 references) (Author/MES)

Discusses methodological issues in cross-cultural studies of diverse communities, including language problems, data collection and analysis, sample size, and dissemination of findings. A study of the information-seeking behavior of ethnolinguistic gatekeepers in several communities in California is described. Suggestions are given for public…

Three currently available technologies--telefacsimile, gateway software, and CD-ROM--are defined, and factors to be considered in selecting these technologies for use in public libraries are listed. Seven references are included. (MES)

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…

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…

Discusses difficulties involved in locating sources of statistical information on public libraries in Canada and describes a study conducted to identify and evaluate various sources of such information. An 18-item bibliography is provided. (CHC)

This fact book, compiled to fill the need of practicing librarians and researchers for recent data on public libraries, contains statistics concerning or relevant to the U.S. public library system. Data on all aspects of American public libraries are summarized from such sources as annual reports, journal articles, surveys, books, doctoral theses,…

Discusses psychographics, lifestyle characteristics, and the cluster system of targeted market analysis and their potential use by public libraries for correlating lifestyles in local communities and collection development. Preliminary studies are reviewed, data verification is discussed, future research is suggested, and six lifestyle tables are…

Discusses the issues facing New York State public libraries regarding preservation of materials. Highlights include a review of related literature to examine the history, preservation methods, control of the library environment, education and training, organization, and government involvement; and results of a questionnaire that surveyed directors…

Presents an analysis of checklist-based research designed to investigate whether particular books, periodicals, and films considered to be controversial by the investigators are owned in certain groups of libraries. Objectives of checklist studies, definitions of self-censorship, compilation of checklists, and interpretation of data are…

This review of government publishing presents a summary of research studies; an overview of the government as publisher 1930-1980; a departmental, functional, and subject analysis; a proposed research program; the history of United States government publishing; and a description of sales and depository distribution. Fifty-four references are…

Describes a citation analysis of public library journal articles which shows that the public library literature functions as an interactive communication system between public librarians and library and information science educators. Prior research on communication in public librarianship, the role of journals, authorship, and citation patterns is…