Reference librarians are constantly balancing their reference duties against other duties, for example, collection development and departmental liaison. The author works as a reference librarian at Texas A&M University-Commerce Libraries in Commerce, Texas. The university has approximately 11,000 students, a large number of whom are…

Academic libraries have traditionally collected reference statistics using hash marks on paper. Although efficient and simple, this method is not an effective way to capture the complexity of reference transactions. Several electronic tools are now available to assist libraries with collecting often elusive reference data--among them homegrown…

The University of Minnesota-Duluth is the second largest campus in the University of Minnesota system. The UMD library, which serves more than 11,000 students and 500 faculty members, is primarily an undergraduate library. The reference team consists of eight librarians, including author Sunshine Carter, reference and electronics resources…

A summary of the major activities of the Library of Congress (LC) is given for a 15 month period ending September 30, 1976. Highlighted are the activities of the Congressional Reference Service, Processing Department (acquisitions, cataloging, and networking), Federal Library Committee, Copyright Office, Reader Services Department, major exhibits,…

Analysis of one component of library reference service--online numeric database systems for time-series data--reviews tradition of reference service and ways in which computer technology has enhanced provision of library services. Experiences with Kentucky Economic Information System (KEIS) are described. Examples of KEIS and 30 references are…

After five years of existence, a three-county regional cooperative including public libraries, a community college library, and local government agencies was evaluated to assess: (1) general library services; (2) the interlibrary loan program; (3) library user satisfaction; and (4) the need for additional statistical reporting. Existing records…

Examines the use of federal economic statistics by library patrons. Highlights include statistical questions, overview of the federal statistical system, the impact of government policies, responses of federal agencies to budget reductions and government policies, and problems and alternatives. (LRW)

The prefatory section of the Library of Congress (LC) annual report lists library officers, library committees, consultants, and an organizational chart. The body of the report begins with a narrative overview of recent LC activities in such areas as organizational changes, copyright law, Bicentennial Program, publications, and projects. Separate…

Focuses on four issues related to providing government numeric databases in libraries: hardware, access software, staff skills, and organizing services. Basic, intermediate, and advanced levels of service and a guide for selecting an appropriate level are presented. Examples of screens from actual searches are included. (Contains eight…

Includes articles on the use of online databases for historical research, machine readable data sources for historical research, the librarian-historian interface in reference service, and a sampler of databases for searches in history as well as a selected list of guides to history databases and data archives. (JL)

This manual is a first effort to begin to identify, describe, and develop procedures for assessing various aspects of digital reference service. Its overall purpose is to improve the quality of digital reference services and assist librarians to design and implement better digital reference services. More specifically, its aim is to: assist…

In this annual report for 1975, an overview is provided of the activities of the Northwest Library District (NORWELD) while supported by Library Services and Construction Act funds granted by the State Library of Ohio. The programs covered are reference and interlibrary loan, media, staff development, public relations, and administration.…

The prefatory section of the Library of Congress (LC) annual report contains basic information about the library, and lists of trust fund board members, library officers, library committees, and consultants. The body of the report begins with a general overview of recent LC activities in such areas as special services, automation, copyright,…

Five articles describe specific Internet resources, including geoscience and science databases; economic and statistical information; the JANET (Joint Academic Network) Bulletin Board for Librarians; and White House communications. A sixth article describes how practical applications of Internet information create new roles for reference…