Google Scholar and academic library discovery systems are both popular resources among academic users for finding scholarly information. By conducting an online survey with 975 users from more than 20 public research universities across the United States, this study comparatively investigates how and why academic users use these two resources.…

Web-scale discovery services such as Summon (Serial Solutions), WorldCat Local (OCLC), EDS (EBSCO), and Primo (Ex Libris) are often touted as a single search solution to connect users to library-owned and -licensed content, improving discoverability and retrieval of resources. Assessing how well these systems achieve this goal can be challenging,…

The moving image plays a significant role in teaching and learning; faculty in a variety of disciplines consider it a crucial component of their coursework. Yet little has been written about how faculty identify, obtain, and use these resources and what role the library plays. This study, which engaged teaching faculty in a dialogue with library…

Studies the accessibility of periodicals at a large academic library and analyzes failure to locate items in terms of library and user error. The need for improved access to periodicals is confirmed. (RAA)

Online course syllabi provide a convenient source of information about library use. This article discusses the strategies used to retrieve syllabi, analyze library use, and develop new opportunities to collaborate with faculty. A new Web-based service was developed to pull course- and library-related materials into a convenient package.

This update of a survey taken by the authors in April 1978 on the use of online services in British academic libraries (Online Review; v3 n2 p195-204 1979) concentrates on the following areas: (1) general pattern of use; (2) current arguments for charging users for online services; (3) current academic library practice on charging; (4) specific…

This report describes a computer-monitoring study of users of the Ohio State University Libraries' online catalog, an established and heavily used information retrieval system. Designed for end users, online library catalogs require little or no formal training, and often replace an existing manual system. Data were gathered unobtrusively by…

This study examines the use of online bibliographic retrieval systems in a selected number of science and technology libraries chosen for their leadership reputation; it is limited to the use of online systems operated by a library staff member. Participating libraries included 12 academic, one government, and 10 research or institutional…

Microcatalog use studies at the University of Oregon have demonstrated that users encounter access difficulties when confronted with a multiple file microfiche catalog. This research verifies theories by Mooers, Zipf, and others that the public minimizes search efforts and implies that closed catalogs with supplements such as add-on catalogs will…

Describes a Web usability study conducted at Western Michigan University to investigate students' success in locating journal articles. Participants' search paths and comments revealed widespread confusion about the article-finding process and revealed weaknesses in the library's Web site which led to improvements in page layout and library…

Examines use of the World Wide Web on public-access computers at the American University Library (Washington, D.C.) to identify the most frequently accessed Web sites, the frequency with which library-owned Web resources were accessed, and Web-usage patterns in the library in relation to the time of day and day of the week. (Author/AEF)

Reviews the results of a brief questionnaire survey of academic libraries in the United Kingdom to determine use of on-line information retrieval, including major systems used, justification of on-line services, recipients of the services, service integration into present reference and information services, and charging and budgeting…

A user survey was conducted at the Hugh Stephens College Library to determine the degree of user satisfaction and identify limiting factors. Analysis of data from 203 data sheets completed by patrons requesting specific titles reveals that acquisitions by the library and user error are more significant limiting factors in this library than either…

Reports the results of a survey of historians in different fields which identified the formats from which they obtain information, where they find relevant references, and how they use materials in foreign languages. These findings are compared with those of other surveys and citation studies. Twenty-eight references are cited. (RAA)

This SPSS crosstab analysis of client response to the microfiche card catalog at the University of Oregon, which utilizes a "basic" or "frozen" catalog and supplements, considers such variables as microfiche use, academic status, and distance from the card catalog. (CWM)