The reasons for the widespread nonuse of libraries are explored and methods for overcoming these obstacles are suggested. (10 references) (NH)

The report which presented the results of A Study of Reference Services and Reference Users in the Metropolitan Atlanta Area:'' a descriptive study of the reference services of selected libraries and of selected users of those services is summarized. (Author/NH)

An evaluation of the reference referral program at the University of California Library at Santa Barbara was conducted by a committee of the Librarians Association of the University (LAVC). This committee designed a referral form, a plan for its use, and a methodology for evaluating the program. Conclusions are complex and raise more questions…

Behavior of patrons choosing between a person sitting at a counter and one sitting at a desk at each of two reference points was observed at the reference department during remodeling at the M. D. Anderson Library of the University of Houston. Results showed a statistically relevant preference for the counter. (Author/JD)

A review of research on use of the library by workers in the humanities. Includes tables of citations and humanities journals studied and a generalized profile of information seeking behavior of scientists, social scientists, and humanists. (LS)

Discusses what libraries in systems are doing or attempting to achieve. Presented at a colloquium held at the School of Library Science, State University of New York, Albany, in 1969. A bibliography of 24 items is included. (JB)

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…

A summary and four papers from a symposium, held at the 1974 American Library Association Conference, dealing with the feasibility and desirability of measuring reference service. (PF)

This description of Info Trac, a laser disc periodical reference system, reviews professional reactions to the system and several user studies. Criticisms are discussed to define the role of such systems in research libraries, and data are presented in five tables. (17 references) (MES)

This survey of public library use in Arthur, Illinois, reveals that 14 percent of nearby Amish population have purchased nonresident, family library cards. Comparison with rural populations in downstate Illinois and library use in Ohio Amish settlements suggests changes in Amish culture and role of public libraries near Amish settlements. Includes…

In order to serve students it is helpful for the library to know the characteristics and reading habits of students. (4 references) (Author/DH)

Difficulties involved with serving users are well known, but until now no one has tried to determine the percentage of those users who have questions but don't ask the librarian for assistance. This survey attempts to identify such users and discover why they don't ask. (16 references) (DH)

Reviews research and writing on reference services in archives. Topics discussed include user studies of archives; the accuracy and efficiency of archival reference; the impact of technology on research in archives; interaction between researchers and reference archivists; and research needs in archival reference. (48 references) (LRW)

A questionnaire survey was administered to reference librarians and patrons to determine relationship between patron-staff encounters and user satisfaction. (KP)

Reference librarians overestimate the knowledge graduate students have about reference sources in the library. Many students responding to the questionnaire could not list indexes and abstracts within their specialty fields. Better library orientation and instruction are needed. (4 references) (DH)