The provision of library services through networks has already affected collection development, cataloging, interlibrary loan, reference work, and document delivery. Library managers are advised to review how networks might impact their operations in order to formulate appropriate solutions as soon as possible. Several specific management problems…

The academic librarian in the period since 1876 has consistently promoted greater access to informational materials. Several periods represent an approximate emphasis in chronological sequence; these are: (1) accumulation of materials, (2) organization of resources, (3) personal assistance to readers, (4) organization patterns, and (5) physical…

A selection of recent scholarly and general works of interest to reference librarians in academic libraries. (Author/AP)

The results of a survey on the nature and functions of information desks in large academic and public libraries are examined with respect to the functions, staffing patterns, and times of service. The survey expands and updates Kleiner's 1967 study. (JB)

A questionnaire survey was conducted to determine the use and training of nonprofessional personnel (including student assistants) in academic libraries with student enrollments of 500 - 6000. (Author)

This survey of 288 academic, public, and special librarians in Canada examined attitudes toward the role of bibliographic instruction in reference service. Results indicated that academic librarians stress instruction, special librarians stress information delivery, and public librarians fall between the two positions. It was found that…

The reference-bibliographer concept is examined from several perspectives: historical antecedents; relationship to the academic setting; and the authors' experience with a staff of subject specialists at a predominantly undergraduate college library. (JB)

Library Pathfinders offer the opportunity to share reference methodology in an organized, nationwide manner. Intended to introduce users to the variety of information sources available, Pathfinders have been published in a wide range of disciplines. The authors describe Pathfinders and indicate how they can provide improved user service and…

Links the origin, decline, and renaissance of bibliographic instruction to the increasing specialization and democratization of education and reviews the history of the academic library and the role of the academic librarian in American higher education. The value of concept-oriented bibliographic instruction is stressed. Included are 18…

Raises questions about influence of present reference practice on library user perceptions of the librarian as information intermediary and on user ability to distinguish between librarians and other staff. Questions are discussed within context of client-professional relationship, using data from study of users of three midwestern university…

Twenty-five sets of "indirect" and "faculty information" questions were asked at two university library reference centers, one staffed by nonprofessionals and the other by professionals. The purpose was to determine relative success of professional and nonprofessional reference staff in (1) probing beyond "indirect" questions and (2) detecting and…

In a detailed study of reserve book circulations at the University of Nebraska, it was found that the percentage of titles never circulated rises rather sharply fo course lists longer than twenty titles. (Author/NH)

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

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…

Discusses the definition of an online library catalog; five factors to be considered by the online catalog designer; user-computer communication (error messages, help screens, prompts, unnatural language); online tutorials and offline instruction offered by bibliographic instruction librarians; and the current situation. Nine references are…