This study was undertaken to determine whether the libraries of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the College of the Holy Cross, and Clark University should be merged. Four types of data were collected: (1) objective--quantitative analyses of faculty and student use of the libraries and collection duplication/triplication; (2) subjective--opinions…

The strategy was to identify user-related criteria for journal selection. Data were gathered from a use study, circulation and interlibrary statistics, and librarian and patron input. Two types of criteria developed considered actual use and user perception of use of importance. (Author/JAB)

The methodology and survey instrument described in this report were designed to support the Library Learning Program for freshmen English students and identify the clientele of the library at Kearney State College in Nebraska. Surveys were mailed to on-campus and off-campus students. The low response rate--534 or 26.9% of the on-campus students,…

Presents the results of a study on data collection instruments, specifically questionnaires, used by libraries in evaluating resource use and institutional effectiveness. A number of causes for inconsistent survey results are identified and problems with imprecision in survey question terminology are discussed. (JL)

Ninety-one randomly selected users of the University of Oregon map library were surveyed in a term project to determine user characteristics and opinions, and results were compared with a 1972 survey. Data were collected on user status, fields of study, reasons for use, frequency and time of use, type of materials used, and satisfaction with…

A study examined the feasibility of developing a cost effective sampling technique which would estimate the mean number of patrons using the Purdue University General Library during one semester. The technique employed, called random sampling without replacement, meant that, from the total population of days in the Fall Semester, particular days…

Through utilization of effective sampling procedures, libraries may obtain substantial savings in terms of data collection costs. A theoretical statistical sampling model is presented and two types of random sampling techniques are empirically compared as to their effectiveness in estimating a library usage parameter. Implications are drawn for…

A total of 830 patrons of the adult section in Waverly Municipal Library in Sydney, Australia responded to a questionnaire to determine sociological characteristics and user behavior. The study revealed that: (1) nearly two thirds of all users are under 35 years of age; (2) level of education and involvement in formal education are underlying…

This report summarizes the findings and describes the products of a 2-part research project that examined the parameters of Washington's interlibrary loan cooperation statewide, and developed a set of computer models to be used in simulation studies of associated activities and policies. It contains a statement of the problem; an historical…

Reports intensive survey of medical library users in Oxford teaching hospitals and university science departments that employed six survey techniques (interview, questionnaire, feedback form, direct observation, reference-tracing experiment, library record analysis). Three distinct user types (practitioner, researcher, practitioner-researcher)…

Designed for use by study coordinators, library supervisors, and data collectors, this manual is the basic reference and training document from the 1982 field survey of public online catalog users and nonusers in 31 U.S. research, academic, community college, public, and governmental libraries. The field survey was coordinated by the Research…

Compares directors' use of Public Library Data Service statistics and Federal-State Cooperative System for Public Library Data statistics to show how directors make use of statistics and to highlight the statistical information that directors find particularly useful. The survey addressed: last time of use; ways of use; frequency of use of…

A role analysis study of the Margaret I. King Library reference department focused on organization of role activities, their evaluation by reference staff, and patron satisfaction. Observation, interview, and questionnaire techniques were employed to (1) obtain staff job history and academic training; (2) inventory activities from which a list of…

In 1968 the Texas State Library established a library communications network under Title III of the Librar y Services and Construction Act. The objective of this study was to evaluate the network after six months of operation. Part I of the study consists of a general evaluation by Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Co., based on operational data…

The objective of the project was to develop a method of measuring benefits, to provide criterion functions for quantitative planning in university libraries. The approach chosen was to show what benefit estimates lie behind actual qualitative planning decisions and to build them into exact planning models. The chapters include: library products…