This second annual encyclopedia summary updates the American Library Association's (ALA) evaluation of 10 sets and analyzes the deletions and additions made to each encyclopedia within the context of each publisher's revision plans. The board looked specifically for significant changes in purpose, arrangement, content style, general quality, and…

As the literature of women's studies has grown, so has the number of journals that might be characterized as women's studies journals. Today between 100 and 200 English language women's studies journals are available. Access to many of them is limited because they are not indexed at all or inadequately indexed. Thus researchers and other readers…

This discussion of the failure to include many book reviews by indexes in selected subject fields and by several general indexes highlights the technique used to check review materials in selected magazines to see what was actually indexed, the policies of specific indexes, and the practical consequences for librarians. (EM)

In this study quantifiable characteristics of encyclopedia articles such as subjects treated, length, illustrations and bibliographies were examined. Random subsamples were analyzed and the findings are presented in twelve tables. (1 reference) (DH)

A stratified sample of library books in an English junior school were analyzed in comparison to students' reading ages and interests. Findings indicated that the readability level of most books was too high and that a negative correlation existed between children's professed interests and the subject matter of library nonfiction. (Author/SJL)

A total of 450 video reviews in three journals, published in 1991, were randomly selected and examined through a content analysis, described and compared. This study was undertaken to answer the following questions: What do these journals provide for librarians who have to make informed decisions on video purchases? What criteria do the journals…

The selection of nonprint software media for library media center agencies, as reported by the literature of library service, instructional technology, and education was investigated. Eleven textbooks and eight research studies were selected for review. The books were analyzed for their contributions to a theory of media selection, while the…

Summarizes results of analysis of 209 reviews of fiction books for children and adolescents appearing in six major selection aids in 1979, and discusses classification of statements in reviews--descriptive (objective statements); analytical (literary elements); and sociological (nonliterary considerations). The Classification of Book Reviews form…

Describes a study which examined reviewers' treatment of controversial juvenile books in Booklist, Bulletin of Center for Children's Books, Horn Book, and School Library Journal. The total number of controversial books reviewed by each journal, promptness of reviews, and extent of discussion of controversial features are discussed. (MBR)

The purpose of this research was to investigate who should be responsible in the selection of library materials, and to compare the primary responsibility by country and type of library. A content analysis was used to examine 70 articles relating to selection responsibility. The articles cover the period 1950 to 1998, with a wide range of…

Outlines a method for translating college and university curriculums into usable information for collection analysis. The method is designed to meet the teaching and research requirements of faculty and students through understanding the needs of users, as well as the content of the collection. There are eight references. (Author/RAA)

This content analysis examines library science and education literature on censorship in public and public school libraries in the 1980s. The first chapter discusses the organization and activities of right-wing and left-wing pressure groups together with ways in which librarians have responded to their pressure. The distinction between censorship…

Explores electronic journal usage statistics and develops three metrics and three benchmarks based on those metrics. Topics include earlier work that assessed the value of print journals and was modified for the electronic format; the evaluation of potential purchases; and implications for standards development, including the need for content…

Discusses journal bundling for science, technical and medical electronic journals and its impact on academic libraries. Reports results of a survey of the academic libraries in the Boston Library Consortium that investigated reasons for subscribing, including price, content, faculty demand, license agreement, archiving issues, format, and…

Through an examination of U.S. circuit, district, and Supreme Court school library censorship cases from 1972 to 1982 an attempt is made to discover whether school officials' actions and court officials' decisions show a reverence for the spirit of First Amendment freedom of expression guarantees. (MBR)