Discusses some current cooperative library research projects, lists areas needing further research, mentions negative perceptions commonly held about research, and speculates on the goals of future research. Opinions are based on the author's informal survey of state librarians. (FM)

Presents a hypothetical article intended to help library school students learn the skills necessary in evaluating the research they read in the professional literature. It contains a variety of commonly committed blunders which students should recognize. (FM)

A survey on the use of journals at the Soreq Nuclear Research Center Library was conducted to determine whether the allocation of the largest share of the total library budget to journal subscriptions is justified, and which journals are in low use and could thus be discontinued. The findings, including criteria developed for defining core…

Lists and discusses sources of child welfare materials for the historical researcher: general histories, reference guides, catalogs, bibliographies, directories, abstracts, indexes, and electronic services. Also listed are guides to archives containing--among other items--manuscripts, documents, social agency records, and oral history transcripts.…

Reports on a content analysis of the literature of special librarianship. Topics include: what is published, subjects covered, research reported, and who is conducting research. Results indicate that less than 20% of the literature reports on research; research that is reported uses less sophisticated methods than general library/information…

Reports results of a survey of state library agencies' research on public library operations and services. The appendix provides information on the contact person, the title of the study, and availability of materials for the 29 agencies responding to the survey. A copy of the questionnaire is included. (13 references) (MES)

Describes a survey that was conducted to ascertain how instruction librarians and other library professionals learn, assimilate, and utilize learning style theory. Results show that the majority of librarians are aware of learning style theory but are unsure of its validity or proper application in library settings. (Author/LRW)

Based on data from two experiments, this article attempts to assess degree to which people differ in interpretations of questions referring to library services and the implications for interpreting survey results. Sources of error in questionnaire research--sampling, response (question interpretation, response decision, category choices)--are…

Argues that, although research measuring library effectiveness has tended to equate effectiveness with user satisfaction, this approach is faulty for several reasons and calls for more in-depth user needs assessment studies. (LLS)

Reports the results of a survey conducted shortly after the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, through its U.S. Library Program, awarded a statewide grant of computers and software to public libraries in Louisiana, to gather data about the grant's impact on library staff. A copy of the survey is appended. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of the use of surveys as a research tool focuses on the value of library surveys. Two types of surveys are described, the descriptive survey and survey research; and improving the quality of survey research is discussed, including planning, sample size, data collection techniques, and methods of statistical analysis. (18 references)…

Summarizes a 1984 survey of four presidential libraries which identified patterns of behavior within groups of researchers. Data were collected on user's academic, professional, or private affiliation; topics of study; advance preparation; and previous archival research. Findings show users of presidential libraries place high value on personal…

Reports the findings of a survey of South African university and technikon libraries that investigated annual reports and their use outside of the issuing institution. Highlights include the purpose of annual reports; issues included; recipients of the reports; promotion and distribution; availability; and feedback. (Author/LRW)

Addresses the utility of classification in both current and future library applications and demonstrates the role librarians can play in enhancing public access to information available on the Internet. Reports on a survey of current trends in classification of electronic titles based on catalogs of members of the Association of Research…

Database usage from a random sample of academic and public libraries in the United States and Canada reveals patterns of use in selected types of libraries. Nine tables present usage statistics. Factors that influence database use are briefly discussed. (AEF)