A survey of heads of collection development in 104 academic libraries was conducted to determine usefulness of information sources on curriculum change for selectors and extent of library involvement in planning such changes. Procedures developed at University of New Mexico and other universities are highlighted. Questionnaire is appended. (24…

Discusses the interdependency between academic libraries and state library agencies, and describes a survey which assessed the needs of Pennsylvania's academic libraries that could be addressed by state library agencies. The needs discussed include advocacy of academic libraries, linked systems protocols, telecommunications, and new technologies.…

Bivariate correlation analysis of data collected in a survey of document departments in 88 academic depository libraries on departmental staffing, budget, equipment, and types of publications shows no significant correlation between resources available to documents departments and those of the entire library. Fourteen references and the…

Presents the Readiness, Planning, Training, Implementation and Maintenance Model (RPTIM) for staff development. The results of a survey of staff developers that examined the appropriateness of the RPTIM model to academic and research library settings, and the extent to which existing staff development programs meet needed criteria, are discussed.…

Findings of study of user perceptions of online public access catalog in an academic library system indicate that: most patrons learned to use system from printed instructions; next most frequent sources of information were library staff and help feature; most patrons were extremely satisfied with system. Six references are cited. (EJS)

Describes how a librarian, assisted by a knowledge engineer, developed a computerized reference assistance system for a separate government documents department. Rationale for the expert system, problems in selecting reference materials and user questions to computerize, and the formulation of a workable human/computer interface are covered. A…

Fifty-one percent of the teaching faculty surveyed were in favor of academic librarians at SIU-C having faculty rank and status. Although service was seen as the most important function of the librarians, research was considered by many as the hallmark for faculty status. Eight references and the questionnaire are included. (RAA)

Describes a study in which community college students participated in a library instruction experiment to determine whether individual term paper counseling sessions conveyed information for immediate recall better than group instruction sessions. The test instruments used are provided and the absence of significant differences between the two…

Describes an instrument designed to assess the reference outcome in terms of patron report of success in finding what was wanted, rather than overall satisfaction. The results of a library survey which tested the reliability of this instrument and compared it with unobtrusive observation are reported. (Author/CLB)

An auxiliary study of the direct observation method for counting periodical usage in Evans Library at Texas A&M University found that student observations contain substantial error and that aggregation problems and cost issues are fundamental constraints to this method. Concludes direct observation may be useful in calibrating the results of…

Describes a survey of academic libraries that examined whether the availability of abstracting and indexing services online has resulted in the cancellation of equivalent print subscriptions. The results indicate that subscriptions are being cancelled at a significant rate because of cost and lack of use rather than the availability of online…

Identifies social and psychological influences, including pressure for academic success, as the primary motivations for theft and mutilation of books at large urban universities. Quality of library service, peer pressure, and other circumstantial reasons seem to be insignificant. The report includes the questionnaire, tables of data, and six…

Describes a study that sought to identify successful and unsuccessful search patterns for known-item serial literature. The results indicate that multiple factors contribute to an unsuccessful outcome. Information gathered through in-depth interviews is used to suggest further evaluation and development of public access to serials holdings and…

Reveals that 62 of 64 responding academic institutions grant some librarians faculty status, and 40 grant faculty status to all librarians. Greatest differences in benefits for teaching and librarian faculty occur in length of contract year and publishing responsibilities. Three references and a copy of the questionnaire are included. (RAA)

Describes a survey of faculty at Albion College on their perceptions of the status, role, and contribution of librarians. The methodology used is explained, the results are compared with prior surveys at the university level, and suggestions for further study are offered. The questionnaire used in the study is appended. (24 references) (Author/CLB)