Librarians often wish to know whether readers in a particular discipline favor e-books or print books. Because print circulation and e-book usage statistics are not directly comparable, it can be hard to determine the relative interest of readers in the two types of books. This study demonstrates a two-step method by which librarians can assess…

Two measures of effectiveness for university libraries are constructed: the primary, defined over the total population of users, considers the number of information items desired, number of satisfactorily answered inquires, and number of users; while the secondary, total population is divided into subsets according to similarity of user needs. (13…

A method of estimating the number of duplicate copies of books needed based on a computer simulation which takes into account number of copies available, number of loans, total underlying demand, satisfaction level, percentage time on shelf. (LS)

Concludes that evaluations of library instruction based on library use present a useful picture of the impact of instruction within the context of program objectives. Yet to be found, however, is a methodology that will express the role student motivation and maturation play in the development of effective library skills. (RAA)

In an effort to evaluate how well the Learning Resources Center at Virginia Western Community College serves its faculty, a survey was taken to obtain professional information about the faculty members responding, frequencies and ratings of services used, and suggestions for improvement. The 121 faculty respondents (69%) indicated which of the 22…

As part of university-wide assessment activities at Central Missouri State University, a library assessment program was implemented in 1991. A task force was formed to design an assessment plan that would develop a strategy to determine effectiveness of services; client satisfaction; barriers to improved service; and employee satisfaction within…

A study was conducted at the Colorado State University Libraries to determine the needs and attitudes of students and faculty members in relation to library services in general and to the science reference desk in particular. In addition, the habits and preferences of a cross-section of library users were investigated, and an instrument was…

This report outlines specifications for the online transaction monitoring and questionnaire administration features of the University of California's (UC) Prototype On-Line Catalog, known as MELVYL. The development and testing of these features by the UC Division of Library Automation (DLA) is also described. This document is the final report…

Characteristics of periodical use at a small liberal arts college were studied using a methodology aimed at providing a more accurate system for data collection by recording all the periodicals used in an entire semester. In the John J. Wright Library at La Roche College (Pennsylvania), circulation records were consulted, and one person while…

This review of the overall findings of the "Educating the Online Catalog User" project at Northwestern University Library focuses on methods of data collection used in evaluating online catalog performance and user performance. The rationale and methodology of transaction log monitoring and new directions for technical development are…

In 1977-78 and again in 1980-81, extensive evaluations of learning resource services at Lake-Sumter Community College (LSCC) were conducted to determine: (1) the extent to which the Learning Resource Center (LRC) contributes to the stated purpose of the college; (2) the extent to which it meets its own objectives; (3) the extent to which the LRC…

Explains a multifaceted process for evaluating the operation of learning resource centers (LRCs). Identifies the underlying management principles critical to evaluation. Proposes self-evaluation by staff, evaluation by faculty, and student surveys as methods of LRC assessment. Includes sample evaluation instruments. (CBC)

In October, 1971, AIMLO (Auto-Instructional Media for Library Orientation) was initiated at Colorado State University Libraries. AIMLO is an innovative approach to undergraduate library instruction, providing on-demand, point-of-use programs about three basic library tools: periodical indexes, the card catalog, and U.S. government documents. To…

In 1990, the Online Catalog Advisory Committee (OCAC) of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) charged a subcommittee with developing and implementing ways to measure the impact of the expanded online catalog on staff, users, collections, and library operations. The UIUC's online public access catalog, ILLINET (Illinois Library and…

Describes a project at Stanford University Library that was initiated to enhance user access to government documents collections by developing a prototype natural language computer-based aid. The development of an expert system, Government Documents Reference Aid (GDRA), is explained, and the application of expert systems in libraries is…