Reports on comparison of costs of manual versus computer reference service at Deerfield Public Library (Illinois) and Houston Public Library. Costs for online services, equipment, searches per database, salaries, reference books, business reference subscriptions, periodicals, and labor are included. Unknown costs and time involved to answer…

Examines online searching done for public libraries during October 1984 at The System Reference Service of the multitype North Suburban Library System. Highlights include total requests searched online, total public library requests searched online (by subject category), samples of successful and unsuccessful public library searches, databases…

This analysis of life style data on a random sample of 423 adults demonstrates the value of such data in identifying the needs and interests of a community, and suggests ways in which such information can be used in planning and promoting public library programs. Twelve references are listed. (JL)

Based on "Library Journal's" 1997 Public Library Budget Report, this article discusses the state of public libraries in terms of Internet-related costs, budgets, local, state and federal funding, and fundraising. Presents--in six tables segmented by population served--the financial situations of 84 randomly surveyed public libraries.…