This study reports the results of a needs analysis of literacy programs for a library system serving three rural and suburban counties. It examines the computing skills and needs of literacy tutors as well as native-speaking and English language learner (ELL) literacy tutees enrolled in the programs. Paper surveys were mailed to tutors, who were…

This article presents the results of a comprehensive survey of integrated library system (ILS) vendors conducted by the author and commissioned by "Computers in Libraries" CIL. The survey was intended to: (1) provide an up-to-date comparison of functionality currently available in ILS products; (2) provide a comparison of support services…

In preparation for its Five-Year Plan for the years 2008 through 2012, the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services has reviewed a variety of information resources, including studies, publications, surveys and stakeholder meetings, to assist in understanding the state, its people, its future and the potential role of libraries. This…

Problems encountered in the first seven years of operation of the Interlibrary Delivery System (IDS) for the transport of interlibrary loan materials among libraries in Pennsylvania prompted this study of present delivery at the local and state levels, with the objectives of evaluating benefits, costs, routing, funding, and governance of delivery…

A study was conducted to examine and evaluate the impact of the Cooperative Information Network (CIN) Staff Development Project (CIN-SD) in individual CIN libraries and to recommend methods for establishing on-going staff development programs in libraries. This report presents findings gathered from a survey employing questionnaires and…

In 1976 research was undertaken to assess the progress of the Ohio multicounty cooperative library programs since the authorization by legislation in 1969 of the Area Library Service Organizations (ALSO). This report makes recommendations to assist library development staff and multicounty cooperative project directors to improve planning,…

This report is a state-of-the-network summary of the data collected for a systematic application of the standards developed by the American Library Association in 1979 to the agencies involved in a cooperative network by the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS). Based on a synthesis of the…

Explores marginal costs involved in decentralization of academic libraries by analyzing labor and material costs of a branch library (Library School Library, University of California, Berkeley) and discussing cost to users and universities. Benefits of a branch library are summarized based on survey done among 40 users. References are provided.…

This research article concentrates on two major aspects of an investigation of communication patterns in four Brazilian universities during 1979/80: internal communication patterns in regard to library and campus community (user manuals, orientation activities); and external communication patterns between university library and other libraries in…

Volume 2 comprises the appendices to the study reported in Volume 1. The following textual material is presented: (1) background material for the first regional meeting on reference referral in the state of California; (2) minutes and participation lists from the seven focus group meetings held from March 27 through April 23, 1986; (3) summaries…

This paper presents results of a survey that examined the spending activities of patrons from other libraries while in Naperville (Illinois) using their reciprocal borrowing privileges at Nichols Library, the local public library. Results of a questionnaire from 100 of the 7,540 registered reciprocal borrowers provide information on: home…

A rural library project of the Intermountain Group, a network of four land-grant universities, eight local communities, and the state libraries in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and Montana, developed a Community Interest Inventory and solicited information on professional information needs from identified community groups who were users or potential…

This report presents the research and findings of the 16-member Task Force on the Role of the Special Library in Nationwide Networks and Cooperative Programs. Four working groups studied the following issues: constituencies; network legislation; benefits, barriers, and constraints to and from special library participation in networks; and the…

Public libraries are currently the conduit for local, state, and federal funds used to support reference referral and other reference-related functions in California. Given potential funding constraints, this 5-month study expanded its original scope--to assess the cost effectiveness and efficiency of the Bay Area Reference Center (BARC) and the…

The possibility of producing journal articles in electronic form is creating a revolution in scholarly communication. A number of research libraries are investigating or offering local and remote access to electronic journals. Because Internet access to a journal may not be available at the time of need, a prime collection development issue is the…