Presents results of study conducted at Physical Sciences Library, University of California, Davis, employing unobtrusive observation techniques to determine user browsing activity. Tables indicating circulation, observed browsers, total browsers, books removed, books replaced, time duration, and browsing frequency by time of day are appended. (EJS)

Describes an unobtrusive study of the ability of professional librarians to deal with factual questions that was conducted at Illinois State University. Evaluation of the accuracy of responses is discussed, the responsiveness and helpfulness of librarians is examined, attitude scores are described, and implications for improving reference service…

A questionnaire survey eliciting opinions of 47 university administrators (nonlibrarians) on issue of faculty status for academic librarians indicates that 23.4 percent of respondents felt that librarians were appropriately classed as faculty, while 76.6 percent believed that academic librarians were more appropriately placed in professional…

Surveys librarians in academic libraries to determine extent to which publishing is factor in obtaining tenure and/or promotion. Methodology, results of survey (faculty status, tenure, publishing as criterion for tenure and/or promotion, publishing as option), and comparison with Rayman and Goudy's study are discussed. Seven references are cited.…

Results of a survey assessing the views of individual academic librarians on benefits and responsibilities of faculty status show that not only are the librarians themselves divided over the question, but that their views frequently differ from those of their directors. The survey questionnaire and four references are included. (Author/EJS)

Investigates relationship between number of card catalog access points provided for a group of randomly selected education book titles in academic library and number of times the same titles circulated in specified period of time. Research method, sample selection, and data collection and analysis are discussed. Twelve references are provided.…

Discussion of qualitative and quantitative research techniques highlights the use of focus group interviews and describes their use at Purdue University to determine student user perceptions of and attitudes toward the library system. The use of the interviews as a supplement to a questionnaire survey is discussed. (20 references) (LRW)

Based on a 1979 survey of 530 tenured librarians in 33 large academic libraries, this article examines characteristics of tenured librarians (sex, age, marital status, salary, degrees, rank, job titles), criteria and review procedures used in granting tenure, productivity before and after tenure, and mobility. Seven references are included. (EJS)

Results of study of United States academic librarians listed in "Who's Who in Library and Information Services" indicate that: men had greater chance of being deemed successful; one-third of academic entries had advanced degrees in addition to M.L.S.; successful academic librarians tended to work in Association of Research Libraries institutions.…

An auxiliary study of the direct observation method for counting periodical usage in Evans Library at Texas A&M University found that student observations contain substantial error and that aggregation problems and cost issues are fundamental constraints to this method. Concludes direct observation may be useful in calibrating the results of…

Describes a study that used the shelf availability research methodology to identify and quantify the causes of users' failures to identify and locate library materials. The factors resulting in unsuccessful searches are discussed, and recommendations for reducing these factors are made. (26 references) (CLB)

Examination of 11 major library science journals for period 1979 through 1983 to determine affiliation of authors of substantive articles indicates that requirements for academic librarians to publish affect publication productivity, and that findings concerning productivity of library school faculties are consistent with those of earlier…

Three concepts that emerged from qualitative study exploring feelings of college students about using libraries for research--students generally feel that their library-use skills are inadequate; inadequacy is shameful and should be hidden; inadequacy would be revealed by asking questions--led to formulation of a grounded theory of library…

Results of survey evaluating physical condition of 36,500 volumes and nature of collections in Yale University Library system reveal that 37.1 percent of books sampled overall had brittle paper and 82.6 percent had acidic paper. Sampling methodology, survey instructions, abbreviations for publishing countries, and methods of statistical analysis…

Study of student use and perceptions of residence hall libraries at Indiana University (telephone survey in residence centers, user survey in libraries) reveals that students do use such libraries. Magazine and newspaper collections are used most frequently; records, audiocassettes, class-related materials, and study space are also popular. (7…