Refutes several popular but ill-founded arguments against user education for public library patrons to suggest that the only real issue is the extent of library involvement. This adaptation from a soon-to-be-published book on library user education includes seven references. (RAA)

Provides a definition of reference books based on their organizational structure and describes an empirical study which was conducted in three libraries to identify types of book organization and determine their frequency in reference departments and stack collections. The data are analyzed and shown to support the definition. (EM)

If librarians from all areas of reference and information service understood their own roles better, then they might feel more capable of fruitful interchange transcending common institutional boundaries. (Author)

The day-to-day problems encountered with interlibrary loans are described. (MF)

Examines current activity, potential additional services, and major problems in the use of cable television systems by libraries. (PF)

The Portable Librarian'' concept consists of a reference librarian who goes from place to place throughout the library building offering assistance to the timorous'' and the confused.'' (NH)

Examines the commitment to bibliographic instruction in academic research libraries by comparing the existing instructional practices, clienteles, staff involvement, and support structure in those libraries having bibliographic instruction coordinators with those in which the instructional programs are still managed directly by reference…

Librarians at Rutgers Law Library developed new programs of assistance to students which included: individualized instruction; inclusion of library information materials in registration packets; tours, workshops for introductory classes, printed guides; one-time classes on various subjects; and a newsletter. (LS)

A survey of students' knowledge of the library should be a prerequisite for the design of library instruction programs. (JAB)

Categorizes and compares sample of public and academic library reference questions. (KP)

Good reference librarians need to be good interviewers. Unfortunately most librarians have not learned to use the technique of open questions to obtain information about the user and what he is looking for. Examples of open and closed questions with typical responses are given. (4 references) (DH)

The library education program used to indoctrinate the large student body at the University of South Florida is discussed. (NH)

A study to determine which reference works are most widely held, the age breakdown of reference holdings, and the relationship between size of school and size of reference holdings in a sample of schools with centralized media programs in Illinois. (Author/LS)

Discussion of the homeless in American public libraries focuses on harmless individuals who may be considered nuisance by library staff/patrons. Highlights include literature about problem library patrons, national problem, social issues, major themes (offense to others and library staff, balancing rights, and elitism), and implications for…

Examines two issues to determine how they affect delivery of consumer health information: (1) Who is responsible for disseminating consumer health information, and what role should public and health science libraries play? (2) Should librarians (public or health science) provide medical reference works for general public? Thirty-five references…