Discusses the public service needs of manuscript, archive, and large monograph microform collections based on the format of the original materials. The need for additional technical service, particularly cataloging, is addressed. References are listed. (CHC)

The history of the Reference and Adult Services Division (RASD) of the American Library Association is traced from the creation of the individual adult and reference service divisions through the merger that formed RASD. Focuses on the origin, structure, and activities of the division and on the individuals responsible for the development of RASD.…

Discussion of implications of highly decentralized nature of local government for collection of local documents highlights meaning of access, effect of local government environment on access to local government information, library responses, and tools that can assist libraries in increasing citizen and government access to local government…

Discusses a dilemma facing government documents librarians as a result of the multitude and complexity of presently available indexing aids to government publications: how to provide the library users with the means for understanding sophisticated access tools and enhanced collections. A 13-entry reference list is included. (Author/JL)

This 1974/75 survey with a follow-up study in 1980 assembles data on the management and use of vertical file (VF) collections in the 18 libraries of the City University of New York. Results of questionnaires sent to 188 reference department heads or reference librarians show that the sizes of the VF collections studied range from 1,000 to 79,000…

Describes the process of question referral in California's second-level reference centers where questions are referred by public librarians, and provides examples of questions and sources typical of humanities research. Topics include the varied clientele and the use of databases, reference files, library collections, organizations, special…

Discusses reference librarian skills necessary to provide service to genealogy patrons: know patrons, know how to do genealogical research, become familiar with basic reference tools, know how to refer genealogists to other agencies, conduct successful reference interview, develop collection of reference materials and interlibrary loan services.…

Describes a study which linked the misconduct of proposing, performing, and reporting academic research to librarians' perceptions of service quality; explores implications of fraud for library collections and information services; and discusses factors meriting further research. Tables present examples of sources in which those implicated in…

Addresses public and scholarly interest in the fields of family history and genealogy. Highlights include attitudes before and after publication of Alex Haley's "Roots," library literature on genealogy, history of the family as a field of study, and academic library collection development and services. Twenty-five references are provided. (EJS)

Describes the provision of library services to performing musicians in a music conservatory and focuses on their need for information in three main categories: (1) access to collections through library catalogs and other sources, (2) sources for the study of musical scores, and (3) research using sources for contextual and background research. (10…

Contains papers presented at the Cooperative Reference Service Committee program during the 1981 ALA Annual Conference, including discussions of the Library of Congress Reference Correspondence Referral program, the University of Illinois Slavic Reference Service, the functions of the British Library Lending Division, and national-level…

Recommends that public libraries be aware of the need to develop basic preservation policies in order to safeguard local treasures and to extend the life of the collection as a whole. The importance of cooperation is asserted in the light of limited budgets. A selected bibliography is included. (FM)

Discusses the goals of library networks in terms of sharing scarce resources and improving user access to information, and advocates cooperative library planning to enhance these goals, including interlibrary activities and multitype library systems. (CLB)

Highlights the existence of special libraries in India attached to Dargahs, which were originally Muslim shrines, and presents an analysis of their information storage and retrieval patterns based on data from a survey of five of these libraries. Basic inadequacies in professional staffing, collection development, and financial support are noted.…

This 16-article issue focuses on history, policy, services, users, organization, evaluation, and automation of the archival reference process. Collections at academic research libraries, a technical university, Board of Education, business archives, a bank, labor and urban archives, a manuscript repository, religious archives, and regional history…