This article derives from a review of key challenges confronted by libraries that are actively investing in online collections and services. Conducted in the first instance to help refine programmatic goals of the Digital Library Federation (DLF), it took account of digital library developments, successes, needs, and challenges perceived by…

This book has three purposes: to provide a perspective for looking at how traditional reference service "fits" in with new trends and issues; to document the myriad ways in which day-to-day library services are being transformed by changes in technology, culture, and staffing; and to offer guidance and advice for evolving reference services to…

This pamphlet focuses on developments in the Library of Michigan during the year 2000. The year 2000 marks the Library of Michigan's 140th consecutive year serving the citizens of Michigan as a federal depository library. A profile of the new State Librarian of Michigan, Christie Pearson Brandau, is given, including her goals as State Librarian,…

Presents online search statistics, and reviews databases in the social sciences using the files found in DIALOG. Discusses the value of familiarity with fee-based databases for librarians and social science researchers. Concludes that database information plays a relevant role in research and expands the library resources, especially those without…

The National Union Catalog (NUC) is a record of publications and their location in more than 1,100 libraries in the United States and Canada. As such, it is the central register of library resources in North America. Major portions of the NUC are published on a continuing basis, but most of the records for imprints before 1956 consist of card…

Reports on results of an exploratory study of perceptions of collections by librarians in an academic library that provides both traditional and networked information services. Five librarians from a Midwestern university library were interviewed. Findings indicated an uncertainty about the virtual world in two particular areas: collection and…

This Handbook explains the services and policies of the Library and Information Division. Since October 1957, the Public Housing Administration, the Federal Housing Administration and the Office of the Administrator Libraries were consolidated into one Library. The Program Information Center was added, additional Regional Office libraries were…

This paper is an explication of the concept of a network of consultants to help people obtain answers to day-to-day questions for which answers are known. Each member of such a network is viewed to have three capabilities: 1)answering questions directly from his own memory, 2)answering questions with the aid of library resources, and 3)referring…

In 1971 the Board of the Midwestern Regional Library System authorized a study of the periodical collections of the major public libraries, the three universities, and one community college within the Region. It was felt that the study would have immediate implications for the Regional library's developing "Information Services Program,"…

Summarizing the organizational structure of operations and giving examples of the kinds of services provided, this report describes the establishment, work methods, and achievements of the National Rural Information Clearinghouse. The clearinghouse program maintains a specialized library, a reference service, and a technical assistance service…

This guide is the Northern Illinois University (NIU) Libraries' quick reference tool for providing information about its collections, facilities, and services. The articles are arranged in an alphabetic, dictionary format with numerous cross-references, and highlight information on the following: administrative offices; company annual reports;…

Prepared to provide guidance in the provision of reference service, this statement expresses the understanding between the library administration and the Reference Services Department of Ellis Library at the University of Missouri-Columbia concerning the manner in which the department's responsibilities are to be carried out. The procedures will…

Throughout 1999 and 2000, 234 academic institutions in Canada--66 university libraries and 168 college libraries--were asked to respond to a survey of library services for off campus users. Previous surveys were conducted in 1984 and then again in 1988. It was felt that with the advent of the World Wide Web, increased levels of library automation,…

A telephone survey of State information agencies to determine the type of information services they provide resulted in a guide intended for use by user services personnel in referring requestors to specific information resources in a given State. In assessing the status of information resources and services in each of the 50 States, Puerto Rico,…

This book covers the role, purpose, and philosophy related to each of the major functional areas of library public service. This sixth edition, on the presumption that most people know the basic facts about computer hardware, does not include the chapter (in the previous edition) on computer basics, and instead integrated specific technological…