As part of a pilot project sponsored by the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association, the needs assessment study described in this report set out to determine (1) the library and information needs of Asian Americans, and how they differ from the needs of the majority population, (2) whether these needs are being met, and (3) how librarians…

Distributed on a random basis to 3,000 patrons, this survey was conducted to provide the administration of the Edmonton Public Library with a comprehensive evaluation of the service the library provides to the public. The results, which were tabulated using frequency distribution tables and which make up the major part of the report, are presented…

Local genealogical societies and libraries have a common interest in providing genealogical researchers with materials and expert assistance. Societies and libraries can cooperate to meet genealogists' needs in several ways: (1) collection development, access, and creation; (2) indirect reference service (societies as a referral resource; (3)…

This procedures manual is designed to help book selectors at the University of Toledo Libraries understand their responsibilities in performing their various tasks in regards to building, maintaining, and expanding the libraries' collections to support the university's teaching, research, and service goals. To this end, selectors must have…

Little is known about the information needs and information-seeking strategies of dance professionals. Dance, an interdisciplinary subject that draws from music, theater, and anatomy and physiology, among other disciplines, has only recently begun to be taken seriously as an academic discipline. This preliminary study explores the extent to which…

This report describes the work of the Task Force on Library and Information Services to Cultural Minorities, which was appointed by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) to explore the status of services, resources, and programs for American Indians, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Afro-Americans, and to…

In May 1982 a questionnaire eliciting information about federal document needs and the experiences of librarians in libraries that are not depositories was mailed to more than 150 libraries in the Western New York region. Replies were received from 57 libraries: approximately 20% from college libraries; 50% from public libraries; and 30% from…

Presents guidelines and a self-assessment questionnaire that were developed by the New York Library Association for libraries serving users with hearing impairments. Areas covered by the documents include policy statements, materials, services, programing, cooperation with other agencies, facilities, and staff development. (LRW)

To ascertain whether libraries are providing materials, services, and programs to their Spanish-speaking communities, a 26-item questionnaire was mailed to 37 public library directors in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Thirty-one completed questionnaires were returned, yielding a response rate of 81%. The majority of libraries were found…

This document contains the results of a 1994 survey on the use of user surveys by ARL (Association of Research Libraries) members. Of the responding libraries, 68% had conducted user surveys in the last 5 years. A number of these libraries (20%) reported conducting surveys at regular intervals ranging from every year to every five years. The…

This audio market survey explored the increase in the purchasing of spoken word audio books by libraries and consumers. The report identifies the vendors and users of the audio books, and discusses the merits of abridged versus unabridged audio books. It is predicted that the market for audio books will continue to grow. (MAB)

In August 1988, a survey of State University of New York (SUNY) archives and special collections was sent to all SUNY library directors, who were asked to distribute the questionnaire to individuals responsible for the archives and/or special collections in each library. This report presents the responses from 41 libraries (65% rate of return).…

Library effectiveness--in particular, user satisfaction--is difficult to measure because it is a vague, subjective concept that is different for every person who enters the library. Library assessment traditionally has been measured by: (1) how well it has been meeting its stated goals and objectives; (2) the library processes, which include…

An important component of a library's collection management activities should be a measure of the effectiveness of the selection process. Effective selection should be a reflection of titles chosen compared to titles available as well as patron use of the material selected. To evaluate the collection development activities for the School of…

A study of the information needs of rural services clientele was undertaken in New Mexico to define the services that the state library should provide. A survey about information needs was prepared and mailed to post office box holders, randomly selected, in rural areas of the state. In all, 1,200 surveys were distributed. Responses were received…