Discusses sources of available data on reference questions asked and answered in public libraries, and analyzes data collected between 1970 and 1985 in nine states. National data from libraries in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain are also presented. (Author/MES)

A survey of public and academic libraries conducted to obtain information on length of reference desk shifts and proportion of the reference librarian's time spent at the desk found the two-hour weekday shift to be the most common, and that librarians typically work 7 to 21 hours per week at the desk. (EM)

Describes a campuswide library services network at Lehigh University which includes electronic question answering, bibliographic services, and online search applications. Statistics on network use are presented. (eight references) (MES)

Examines the disproportionate use of reference desk service by users not affiliated with the university based on a survey conducted at Georgia State University. Topics include the use of these statistics to justify extra funding, and decision making regarding reference desk staffing. (Author/LRW)