Describes a new analytical tool, data envelope analysis (DEA) model, which can provide better understanding of the efficiency of academic research libraries. Reports the results of a study using 1994-1995 Association of Research Libraries statistics together with expert judgments, in terms of constraints, to make the model more applicable to the…

Results are reported from a study that investigated the extent to which academic library end users conducted multiple search sessions with online public access catalogs or CD-ROM databases at different stages of their information seeking related to a research project. Implications for training, retrieval systems design, and further research are…

Describes preliminary results of a study that examined the effect of individual differences on the use of CD-ROM databases by novice undergraduate users. Factors considered include age, sex, native language, major, computer literacy, computer affinity, personality traits, learning style, visual ability, and perceived usefulness of the system. A…

Describes the experiences of the University of Southern California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Biomedical Library in testing MEDLINE on CD-ROM. Preparations for testing are discussed, as well as patron response to the system, measured by evaluation forms, and implications for libraries providing new technological tools for patrons. (MES)

This report describes the methods used to monitor the loss of library materials at Purdue University's General Library during the last 20 years. Data are provided on the following: a complete facility inventory taken in 1959; spot checks of high loss areas made on the basis of patron requests; an availability study in which patrons revealed the…

Describes results of a study of transaction logs from three university libraries' online catalogs that analyzed subject queries to determine the extent to which they matched subject headings in the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). Computer and manual analyses are described, and user satisfaction with LCSH matches is considered. (14…

This is a preliminary report on an ongoing research project examining the "Current Index to Journals in Education" indexing of two major, general interest academic library journals: the "Journal of Academic Librarianship" (JAL) and "College and Research Libraries" (C&RL). The data are presented "as is,"…

Based on data compiled from issues of the American Library Association's Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, this paper analyzes over 500 censorship cases occurring in U.S. educational institutions and public libraries from 1976 through 1980, and makes a comparison with a previous study of U.S. censorship covering 1966 to 1975. Information is…

With electronic desktop delivery of information, increased ease of access allows for greater information use than previously possible. The OhioLINK experience thus far is that improved ease of access has demonstrated the high elasticity in information usage. The first 36 months of operation of the OhioLINK Electronic Journal Center (EJC) is an…

Presents a model of the relation between the circulation at a large library, the collection at that library, and the size of the user population. Analysis of data at United States academic research libraries reveals a square-root law describing this relation. Explores theoretical foundations and speculates on bibliometric implications. (Author/AEF)

A survey of the collections of the libraries at the State University College at Buffalo (New York) was conducted to determine the physical condition of books and bound periodicals. The methodology of prior surveys at Yale (Connecticut) and Syracuse (New York) Universities was used and the following hypotheses were tested: (1) the methodology used…

Describes a study that assessed social styles (i.e., preferred work environment and preferred use of time) and sustained library use (i.e., amount of work completed in the library) to learn more about the interaction between the library and the user. A significant relationship between social style and library use is reported. (seven references)…

A complex tool, data envelopment analysis (DEA) was used to evaluate the relative efficiency of major academic research libraries that are members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). Results of a two-year base line study using traditional measures taken from 1995-96 ARL statistics are reported. (AEF)

Discussion of academic library journal cancellations focuses on the development of a valuative instrument at the University of Maryland, College Park libraries that allows science librarians to identify titles which appear to be likely candidates for cancellation based on a list of attributes including cost, publisher type, value-added features,…

Describes the development of a taxonomy of the value of library services based on users' assessments from five large research libraries. Highlights include empirical and derived taxonomy, replicability of the study, reasons for using the library, how library services are related to time and money, and a theory of value. (LRW)