A telephone reference service operated by the Library of Congress provides immediate service to congressmen with the help of automated information files. (PF)

Discussion of the concept of service and its significance for library reference work focuses on attitudes and qualities important to good service. The changing nature of reference resulting from technological developments and the appropriateness of these values for modern day reference work are then addressed. (13 references) (MES)

Virtual reference services seem a natural extension of libraries digital collections and the emphasis on access to the library anytime, anywhere. If patrons use the library from home, it makes sense to provide them with person-to-person online reference. The Library of Congress (LC), OCLC, and several large library systems have developed and…

Advocates replacing the traditional library card catalog with a more effective system. Technological developments such as machine-readable catalogs, automated authority control, and computer-output-microform make possible integration of nonbook media, government documents, journal literature, and local information into the main catalog. (SW)

A survey of 83 academic public service librarians to ascertain the extent to which they were aware of, involved in, or affected by retrospective conversion projects found that the role of public service librarians in such projects is limited. A need for improved communication between public and technical services librarians is indicated. (13…

Online database searching experiences of nine Illinois public libraries--Arlington Heights, Deerfield, Elk Grove Village, Evanston, Glenview, Northbrook, Schaumburg Township, Waukegan, Wilmette--are discussed, noting search costs, user charges, popular databases, library acquisition, interaction with users, and staff training. Three sources are…

Discussion of the scheduling procedures of librarians' hours at the reference desk at the Rutherford Humanities and Social Sciences Library, University of Alberta, highlights services provided, the preference table system, and manual scheduling versus computer scheduling. (EJS)

Describes the method and circumstances which allow for free online searches at the California State College-Stanislaus Library. Discussion includes reviewing search requests, feeless flexibility, and cost effectiveness. (JVP)

Discusses results of a survey conducted by "Library Journal" to ascertain to what degree librarians' jobs were evolving and why. Highlights include the major influence of technology; experiences of a reference librarian at the University of California at Berkeley; and professional and support staff perspectives at academic, public, and…

Eight articles in special supplement to "Library Journal" and "School Library Journal" cover a computer program called "Byte into Books"; microcomputers and the small library; creating databases with students; online searching with a microcomputer; quality automation software; Meckler Publishing Company's…