Libraries have become increasingly interested in studying the use of spaces within their buildings. Traditional methods for tracking library building use, such as gate counts, provide little information on what patrons do once they are in the library; therefore, new methods for studying space usage are being developed. Particularly promising are…

Discusses the development of special libraries to meet demands of interdisciplinary information and describes the library at The Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi (India) which establishes a synergy between research and information derived from research through a computerized information management system. Considers evaluation of special…

Discusses how librarians can evaluate information obtained from the World Wide Web. Sources of reviews are described, explanations for 22 evaluation criteria along with an example are included, and the future of Web evaluation is considered. (LRW)

Discusses the use of microcomputers for automating school libraries, both for entire systems and for specific library tasks. Highlights include available library management software, newsletters that evaluate software, constructing an evaluation matrix, steps to consider in library automation, and a brief discussion of computerized card catalogs.…

Discusses the Request for Proposal (RFP) process (formal document asking vendors to submit proposal for system meeting specific needs of library) employed by Canadian libraries as major step in selection of online system. System selection, evaluation, and implementation, Request for Information, estimating costs, and contract negotiation are…

This paper describes methodology used in compiling a list of candidate integrated library automation systems at a corporate technical library. Priorities for automation, identification of candidate systems, the filtering process, information for suppliers, software and hardware considerations, on-site evaluations, and final system selection are…

Discussion of Internet software and its use in libraries focuses on a software evaluation program at the undergraduate library at Southern Illinois University. Highlights include staff training for information technology, availability and selection of shareware and freeware, and an evaluation form for Internet software. (LRW)

This collection of library documents, which illustrates current techniques for conducting user studies in order to facilitate specific public services planning and priority-setting efforts at the member libraries of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), contains excerpts from: (1) four general user studies conducted at the University of…

Explains videotex, discusses its usefulness in disseminating large quantities of information via computer, and describes the use of videotex at the Glaxo, Inc., library where it is used for a daily news service and newsletters. An evaluation of the videotex services is reported, including usage statistics and results of a library survey. (Contains…

Minutes from the 1985 Membership Meeting of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) include the full-text of the presented paper, "Proposal for a North American Program for Coordinated Retrospective Conversion," by Jutta Reed-Scott, and the comments of a six-member panel, made up of members of the ARL Committee on Bibliographic…

This System and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) flyer/kit is based on two research efforts: a 1986 SPEC survey on the collection and use of management statistics related to reference services, and a 1987 supplemental survey on qualitative measures of reference services. A brief introduction describes the survey and discusses the evaluation of…

Management guidelines for library planning and a strategic planning program profile based on the literature were used in the planning process for implementing access to databases on CD-ROM at the Daniel Library of the Citadel, Military College of South Carolina. According to this model, the planning process would consist of five stages: (1)…

Describes the application of a comprehensive planning process to the library media program in the Lincoln (Nebraska) Public Schools. Highlights include identification of program needs; curriculum integration; a study of school library media center collections; use of technology; and essential elements for program change. (eight references) (LRW)

The six articles comprising this special section on MELVYL, the University of California automated library system, discuss plans for the future, general recommendations for online catalog design, evaluation methods, evolution of computing resources, impact on the work of librarians, and academic goals and benefits. A chronology of MELVYL…

This study was initiated by the Newfoundland Public Library Services (NPLS) to assess the feasibility of automation for the library services and to determine the viability of an integrated automated library system for the NPLS. The study addresses the needs of NPLS in terms of library automation; benefits to be achieved through the introduction of…