Reference services in public libraries are changing dramatically. The Internet, online databases, and shrinking budgets are all making it necessary for non-traditional reference staff to become familiar with online reference tools. Recognizing the need for cross-training, Chesapeake Public Library (CPL) developed a program called the Database…

What is the future direction of reference books? What types of policies are libraries implementing regarding the purchase of electronic reference books? Are libraries still buying hard copy reference items when an electronic equivalent is available? This paper discusses a national survey of libraries regarding the purchase and use of electronic…

Librarians should add this must-have resource to their library's collection to assist patrons in the tough task of applying and paying for college. Whether they are a high school student, already in college, a parent, or an adult returning to school, patrons can use this guide to: (1) Fill out forms for financial aid, loans, and scholarships; (2)…

This report presents data from the "2010 E-rate Program and Broadband Usage Survey" commissioned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and conducted by Harris Interactive, Inc. (Harris), an independent national marketing research firm, between February and April 2010. The primary goal of the survey was to collect data on the current state…

The number of electronic resources has climbed up steadily in recent times. Some of these e-resources are reference sources, mostly in Science, Technology and Medicine (STM), which publishers convert to electronic for obvious reasons. The library budgets for materials usually have two main lines, budget for one time purchase (monographs) and…

The "American Library Directory[TM] 2002-2003," in two volumes, provides access to comparative data, additional resources, and sales prospects for the United States and Canadian library communities. Containing full profiles on public, academic, government, and special libraries, the totally updated 55th edition is organized by state and…

This survey to determine how the library resources in the Buffalo-Niagara area might be utilized in a regional Reference and Research Library Resources (3R's) system studied: (1) area library resources, (2) strength of the libraries at the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo) and the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library…

The papers in this lecture series are: "Meeting National and International Library Needs" which describes the work of the National Agricultural Library; "The Library and the Collector: The Newberry Library" which relates the history of and the contributions to the library and concludes that entrepreneurship and hard work are…

The following subject categories are included in this list of bibliographies: Aids in book selection, cataloging and classification, censorship and intellectual freedom, publicity, selected list of basic and inexpensive materials on Michigan, non-book materials, organization and administration of the media center, library for the blind and…

Examines the relationship between historians and librarians. Delineates the librarian's role in historical research; how librarians can create and maintain history collections; and ways that librarians and historians can work together to improve libraries. Outlines major areas of contention between historians and librarians, and discusses…

A project team was commissioned to gather information which could be used by the Reference Standards Committee of the American Library Association in their development of standards for library reference services. The metropolitan Atlanta area was selected because it includes in an accessible geographical area the entire range of types of…

This 47th edition is a compilation of practical information and informed analysis of interest to the library, information, and book trade worlds. The volume is divided into six parts. Part 1 includes six Special Reports, as well as reports on the year's activities from federal agencies, federal libraries, and national and international library and…

Two major sections comprise this first in a projected series of bibliographies and reference works on documentation, libraries, and archives. The series will be published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and is intended to replace UNESCO's series of bibliographical handbooks. Part I of this volume…

Like any well-run company deciding on what products and services to offer, a good library should pay attention to customer demand when it is building its business reference collection. What kind of information do business patrons want? Most are looking for company and industry details: a corporate address or name of an officer, financial data for…

Provides guidelines for ordering the best computer books, geared to the library's size. Covers series, articles, subjects, and publishers most useful to a broad audience, as well as the best places to seek information on new titles and where to find reviews. Offers time savers for upgrading a computer book collection and discusses weeding…