This study on the relationship between user preferences, library characteristics, and library use, employed a sample of 655 students in five medical schools. Findings, which support some traditional principles relating library characteristics to use, indicate that neither availability of audiovisual materials nor comfortable physical environment…

Illustrates the use of factor analysis in interpreting large sets of data. Describes how factor analysis of a 19-question survey revealed faculty opinions about library policies for (1) computerized access; (2) circulation; (3) specialized collections/services; and (4) the general collection. A characterization of each category is followed by…

Describes a survey of CD-ROM users at the Pennsylvania State University library that was conducted to determine who the users were, which systems were most popular, how patrons perceived help available to them, and what types of instruction they wanted. Suggestions for improvements in service were also requested. (15 references) (LRW)

A survey was conducted in the undergraduate library at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to determine the availability rate of library materials. The results indicated that 53.8 percent of the titles searched were located on the shelves. Reasons for failure, recommendations for improvement, the questionnaire used, and data tables are…

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)

Reports the findings of a survey of 226 faculty members in the social sciences at the University of Illinois concerning their use of serials. Information regarding their serial needs, patterns of use, and the usefulness of specified services is presented, and means of improving service despite budgetary restraints are discussed. (Author/JD)

Describes an unobtrusive study of the ability of professional librarians to deal with factual questions that was conducted at Illinois State University. Evaluation of the accuracy of responses is discussed, the responsiveness and helpfulness of librarians is examined, attitude scores are described, and implications for improving reference service…

Explains conjoint analysis and its use in marketing research and describes an evaluation of reference services in academic libraries that used conjoint analysis to determine user preference regarding the importance of definitiveness of answer, waiting time, service time, number of items found, hours of available service, and cost. (Contains 13…

Summarizes a study of the use of reference service at Sterling Memorial Library, the central research library of Yale University. (PF)

Examines and compares the costs and response times of traditional interlibrary loan services and four commercial document delivery suppliers based on a study conducted by Vassar College libraries through the OCLC Interlibrary Loan subsystem. Results are reported that indicate commercial services were usually no more efficient but were more…

Study of student use and perceptions of residence hall libraries at Indiana University (telephone survey in residence centers, user survey in libraries) reveals that students do use such libraries. Magazine and newspaper collections are used most frequently; records, audiocassettes, class-related materials, and study space are also popular. (7…

To develop method for determining adequacy of library reference desk staffing, data on reference transactions, person hours, percent of professional hours, and turnstile count for 1979 were obtained from 71 academic libraries and correlated with library performance measures. Formulas for predicting number of reference transactions and 17…

Presents norms for reference desk staffing based on 1988-89 statistics from over 100 libraries in the United States and Canada and compares results with an earlier study based on 1978-79 statistics. Data are reported on gate count, reference transactions, person-hours at the reference desk, and workload. (five references) (MES)

A user satisfaction study undertaken at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign library to demonstrate and analyze an application of Kantor branching analysis of user frustration monitored direct and partially controlled user access to materials. Satisfaction rates and causes of user frustration are discussed. Eleven references and user group…

Presents results of survey of 48 academic library directors on use and effectiveness of public relations (PR) programs (planned PR programs administered by one person, coordinated PR programs, favored channels of communication, importance of academic library PR). Recommendations based on survey results and review of literature are offered. (22…