Examines three publications as guides for evaluating library reference services and the potential of one for the development of children's services. Highlights include public library planning, limitations, output measures for children's materials and information services, and the library role. (AEF)

Examines the current state of cooperative reference services through a review of the literature and interviews with librarians involved in cooperative services. Topics discussed include the need for cooperative reference services; structure, staffing, and funding; the use of communications technology; and factors to consider in planning…

Describes a collection development project to assess the African American materials in the Georgia State University library from an interdisciplinary point of view that grew into a continuing strategy of collaboration. Highlights include bibliography checking; individual and group initiatives; local library cooperation; and budgetary support.…

Discusses ways in which academic and public librarians can provide help with multicultural and international topics in spite of unhelpful subject headings and weak collections, including an awareness of cultural bias; collection policies to support diversity; relearning the collections and access strategies; and restructuring reference searches.…

An econometric model of library reference service is suggested for revision and improvement of current services. Discussion focuses on costs and budgets, expanding needs, and community support. (AEF)

Discusses intangible and tangible benefits of scheduling technical services staff to assist at the reference desk: improved library service resulting from technical-services staff expertise, greater flexibility for reference desk staffing, enhanced bibliographic records for titles in the reference collection resulting in improved retrieval, and a…

Discusses women's information needs and the lack of published literature and research on this topic. Identifies subjects of interest, as well as current trends in commercial electronic information systems and telecommunications that make the issue of information needs research and analysis urgent. (Author/AEF)

Explores aspects of accuracy (in the context of question answering) in reference services. Some factors that might influence accuracy include: education, attitude, reference setting, reference collection, the nature of requests, and the patron. (57 references) (Author/AEF)

Presents a fictional scenario of library reference service for the first part of the 21st century. Examines 10 major social trends for the 1990s; critiques services in terms of these trends and notes the library's role and the need to incorporate them into reference services. (Author/AEF)

Describes a study of secondary school library media specialists that was conducted to investigate the potential use of reference transaction measures. The use of the Reference Transaction Module is explained which used three different output measures: Transaction Analysis, Reference Completion Rate, and Transactions per Student. (LRW)

Discussion of off-campus library services focuses on a literature review of surveys on reference services to off-campus users that investigated the philosophy of service, student demographics, the reference environment, materials provision, theory versus practice, reference assessment and guidelines, local library partnerships, and future trends.…

Explores how theories of Afrocentricity can affect the arrangement of knowledge and the dissemination of information in libraries. Various aspects of cataloging are discussed, including controlled vocabularies, computer applications, and classification schemes; historical collections are reviewed; and examples of problems with Library of Congress…

Reference librarians must determine the unique information needs of patrons and develop and market appropriate collections and services. The changing instructional paradigm in education provides an opportunity for encouraging information use and literacy for the educational community. Discussion includes information seeking and library use by…

Discusses the benefits of creating a collegial environment for library reference staff, highlighting application of the "Golden Rule," supervisor's role, policies and procedures, barriers to success (lack of communication, competitiveness, conflict, dictatorial supervisors, envy, burnout, lack of reward), collegial education and…

Explores library-user infatuation with electronic resources, the rapid growth of electronic resources and their impact on traditional reference services, and reference services in an electronic society. Discusses a survey of 200 academic libraries investigating electronic resources and their impact on library personnel, especially on…