Summarizes some of the findings relative to matters of cost and effectiveness of library cooperation programs which may be of general interest to the profession as a whole. (NH)

Discusses objectives for public library services to the disabled in terms of material, equipment, facilities, services, and staffing, and reports selected results of a 1979 survey of public library service to the physically impaired. (FM)

Provides a composite picture of interlibrary loan policies of 832 academic, special, and public libraries published in American Library Association's second edition of "Interlibrary Loan Policies Directory" (1984). Loan policies for books, periodicals, microforms, dissertations, theses, government documents, audiovisual materials, and…

Findings of a survey of the level of reference service requested at service points conducted at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University indicate that, while 20.5 percent of 14,026 questions recorded fall in the reference category, only 0.7 percent required research by professional librarians. Models of reference desk service and…

A survey of heads of academic library reference services gathered information on reference collection development. Findings included: (1) selection and weeding frequently are not guided by written policies; (2) empirical studies of use are almost nonexistent; and (3) online availability of sources is an important factor in selection. (20…

This article suggests sources of vertical file material and the limitations and potentialities of such files, and the importance of sleuthing and pressing for acquisitions. (MF)

This 28-item annotated bibliography for establishing a local history collection which was compiled for the Reference and Adult Services Division, History Section, Local History Committee of the American Library Association, lists recommended background readings, technical assistance aids, and selected case studies. (EJS)

This new column discusses the need for gaining administrative and academic support for library instruction programs to improve "library literacy," i.e., the learning of the basic skills for finding information, and summarizes the findings of a five-year experiment at the University of Colorado to improve/increase faculty and student…

Presents guidelines intended to assist those beginning local history collections, identifies factors that need to be resolved before the institution is committed to action, and assists those interested in creating local history programs. (Author)

Assessed library instruction initiatives with respect to OPACs by surveying 414 academic, public, school, and special libraries. Most participants' libraries have modified library OPAC software; librarians continue to teach use of the online catalog; few systems have built-in tutorials; and few have computer-assisted instruction. (Author/JKP)

Although the ILL subsystem of OCLC is not yet operational, it is apparent the OCLC is being used to facilitate ILL now. The capabilities and advantages of such a system are discussed, as well as the problems it creates. (Author/JAB)

A workable system for collection development in this library is a weekly review of standard selection tools, catalogs, and publishers' notices by the book selection committee (library director and the department heads of adult, children's, bookmobile, and technical services). (JAB)

A questionnaire was mailed to 723 libraries (385 responded) to inquire about special collections size, type of material, and assigned hours and responsibilities of staff. Assistance from unions requested by libraries includes financial support, promotion of library use through union headquarters, and bibliographies prepared by union officials.…

Explains how transactional analysis could be used for understanding the problems of an academic library reference department. (PF)

Describes the library skills workshops, expressly designed for faculty secretaries, executive secretaries, administrative assistants, and clerk-typists, that have been successfully experimented with by the University of Maine at Orono Libraries. (Author)