Discusses requirements of an electronic file for exchanging information about availability of materials withdrawn from selective depository libraries. A prototype network in New Jersey is described, and results of a survey of 57 depository libraries in Pennsylvania regarding electronic access are reported. The survey questions and a brief glossary…

A questionnaire was distributed to 575 college library users to explore the extent of their use of federal, state, municipal, international, and foreign documents, as well as usage of various bibliographic tools to gain access to them. Responses demonstrated that bibliographic instruction in the classroom significantly affected access to documents…

Reports the results of a survey of Arizona libraries that gathered information on the collection development policies for state and local government publications. Problems that result from not having a depository system for state publications are discussed, cataloging and classification practices are examined, and use of bibliographic utilities…

Describes a study that measured the use of government publications in an academic library before and after the merger of the government publications department and the reference department. The implications of the findings that the merger resulted in declines in government publications use and the quality of reference service for government…

Fifty small academic libraries not housing federal depositories were surveyed to determine how well they can meet user needs for federal documents. Results indicate that most cannot provide access to documents equal to that offered by even small depositories. The questionnaire, a summary of responses, and five references are provided. (Author/RBF)

Reports the findings of a survey of Rhode Island depository libraries that examined how the state's publications are cataloged by libraries and located by users. It is concluded that a system of bibliographic access based on user needs and universally adopted by the libraries would improve access. The questionnaire used is appended. (12…

Describes a project at Stanford University Library that was initiated to enhance user access to government documents collections by developing a prototype natural language computer-based aid. The development of an expert system, Government Documents Reference Aid (GDRA), is explained, and the application of expert systems in libraries is…