Student workers are a well-established component of academic library operations. Recently, their traditional role has expanded to include responsibilities that were previously assigned to librarians, including in-person and virtual reference support. This trend has raised concerns about service quality and highlighted the importance of adequate…

Examines whether library reference staff are cognizant of newspapers as a potential source of reference information, and explores what happens when library staff members make referrals--often a sign that they do not know the answer to the question themselves. Discusses results of a recent study of public libraries in Canada which revealed that…

As players in the delivery of services and online information, libraries are in the best position to use staff expertise and the technology they have developed to foster community awareness of social, professional and commercial interactions on the internet. Historically, libraries have been progressive institutions, undertaking constant…

Presents results of survey of personnel allocation practices for online search services in 10 Canadian university libraries noting implications for remedies to problems at University of Ottawa. Assignment of searches on basis of subject specialization, training library technicians to run online searches, and end user searching are discussed. (EJS)

Developed with the support of the German Foundation for International Development (DSE) and the University of Botswana (Africa), this five-week "long vacation" training program includes four modules designed to provide refresher and in-service training for those library assistants who have work experience but have not been able to attend…

This study uses virtual reference transcripts for which patrons completed exit surveys to seek any correlations between user and librarian satisfaction within virtual reference transactions. By analyzing transcripts with a focus on three elements-technology performance, preferred reference practices, and the demonstrated communication levels of…

Traces the development of the British Library since its founding in 1973 and discusses problems and achievements in the library as a whole and in the Reference Division, the Lending Division, the Bibliographic Services Division, and the Research and Development Department. Listed are 73 references. (RBF)

Long a controversial topic in the specialized world of reference librarianship, unobtrusive evaluation is a useful tool in gauging the degree to which reference librarians are effectively performing their jobs. Based on a nationwide survey of government documents reference service in Canada, This book examines the broad philosophical implications…

Eleven articles discuss the response of library users and personnel to automation. Topics covered include computerized reference services, online public access catalogs, paraprofessional staff perceptions of technology, organizational and managerial impacts of automation, workshops on new technology, gender differences in motivation to manage and…

Provides a brief survey of libraries and library services in Portugal. Topics discussed include background information on Portugal's political, economic, educational, and library history; a summary of current library services in different types of libraries; and observations on the future development of these services. (five references)…

Canada's National Core Library Statistics Program is designed to capture several key indicators of the broad impact on Canadian society of library services provided by the public, academic, and special library sectors. These impacts can be broadly organized into cultural and economic. Current indicators of cultural impact are question answering…

Describes the facilities, collections, services, and personnel of three libraries in Santo Domingo: the National Library, created to collect bibliographical materials worldwide; Lincoln Library, sponsored by the United Nations Information Service; and Enrique Apolinar Henirquez Library, a private facility. The effect of the political climate on…

A team of library and computing staff was used to develop an Internet training program at the University of Limerick (Ireland). Its objectives were to present the Internet as both an information source and publishing medium, and to train faculty and staff in the effective use of these applications. The team adopted an iterative approach to the…

This set of papers presented to the General Research Libraries Division of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) during its 47th annual conference (1981) includes: "The Effect of the Introduction of Computers on Library and Research Staff," by Gilbert Gude; "Libraries as Information Service Agencies…

Describes seminars developed at McGill University library to teach faculty, students, and staff about the Internet. Topics discussed include growth in use of the Internet and other developments that have placed new demands on libraries; course design and objectives; the need for hands-on training; and funding needs for training. (19 references)…