Activities and services that improve student engagement and retention in the higher education sector are important not only to individual students' success but also to university planning and funding. This paper reports on a study carried out to explore whether use of the library by new university students is associated with continued enrolment.…

Students at U.S. colleges and universities are concerned about the high cost of textbooks. Expansion of library course reserves has been suggested as one solution to this problem. The authors surveyed libraries at public universities to explore the status and management of physical course reserves and the role they play vis-a-vis textbook…

Discussion of the role of academic libraries focuses on a study that proposed and tested a model to explore the use of academic libraries. Investigated service quality factors, resources, and user characteristics, and concludes that use is influenced most by a user's perceived familiarity with the library and its resources. (Author/LRW)

Examines how history graduate students seek information and how they use the university library in their information-seeking process, based on interviews at UCLA. Explores the use of new technologies and the reliance that history graduate students place on reference librarians and librarians in special collections. (Author/LRW)

Student requests for online searching often show that faculty members have suggested inappropriate searches. A survey of faculty that examined their use of online searching in research and their communications to students about this research method is described, and ways in which librarians might improve the situation are suggested. The…

In a study to determine library use and attitudes of students enrolled in external degree programs, a questionnaire was administered to a random sample of nonresident students at Empire State College, in the New York State Regents External Degree Program, and at Goddard College. Analysis of the data showed that the majority were full-time…

Explores the differences between the level of adoption of information resources by selected faculty and their responses to these technologies, the impact of library technology on the way they use the library for research and teaching, and their interpretation of the role the library plays in this period of transition and change. Contains 41…

The results of three surveys conducted in 1983--one of Texas Tech University students, one of the library staff, and one of faculty members--indicated that all three populations surveyed agreed that the library should provide bibliographic instruction for students. Preliminary profiles of user needs were developed on the basis of responses to the…

A federally funded Library Training Institute was held to explore the user/system interface in academic libraries. The institute was composed of 50 librarians including 20% administrators, 20% educators, and 60% public services librarians. Speakers from a number of disciplines including sociology, psychology, criminal justice, and marketing…

Presents an analysis of a set of syllabuses from a graduate-level academic institution and relates syllabus design and mode of instruction to the use of library resources by students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate courses. Course syllabuses are discussed as indicators of potential library use. Five data tables are included. (Author/JL)

Considers the status of higher education and academic libraries in Saudi Arabia. Topics covered include the role of academic libraries, use patterns, library education, the availability of professional librarians and administrators, library automation, academic cooperation with the United States, and the impact of social influences on library…

Examines formal information sources and library services used by physical scientists in Nigerian universities to obtain scientific information. Surveys from four Nigerian universities are described, and include results on journals read, use of the library, and current awareness strategies. These results are compared with information about…

Analyzes and applies Bettman's information processing theory of consumer choice to information processing, evaluation, and utilization by academic libraries in Zambia to support research and development activities. Certain Zambian cultural and sociopsychological aspects and attitudes that could affect the evaluation and utilization of information…

This report consists of a series of recommendations for the improvement of the services and facilities of the DePauw University libraries in three areas--personnel, both professional and support staff; administration and management; and buildings and equipment--with an appended set of supporting documents for the most important recommendations,…

Examines the extent to which microcomputer availability has affected the use of traditional information sources. Surveys of microcomputer use are summarized, results of surveys conducted at the Liverpool Public Library (New York) and University College Dublin are reported, and future roles of libraries or information services are suggested. (44…