The results of a survey on the nature and functions of information desks in large academic and public libraries are examined with respect to the functions, staffing patterns, and times of service. The survey expands and updates Kleiner's 1967 study. (JB)

This SPEC Kit and Flyer focus on the extent to which Association of Research Libraries (ARL) libraries engage in formal or organized customer service programs. Seventy-five out of the 121 member libraries responded to the customer service program survey (61%). The SPEC Flyer discusses results in terms of customer service program characteristics,…

Summary of survey of the American Library Association Reference and Adult Services Division (RASD) members concerning attitudes toward, need for, and preferences in acquiring information on automated information retrieval services. (KP)

This study explored the relationship between expanded information and referral (I&R) services and traditional reference services in public libraries in North Carolina. Results show librarians feel I&R services should be limited to those closely related to traditional reference services. Other I&R services typically provided by social…

Data regarding current services in hospital libraries of the metropolitan Detroit area form the nucleus of this study. The purpose of this study is two-fold: (1) to ascertain what services are given to users of hospital libraries and (2) to determine the value of the inventory as a means for obtaining information on user-services in hospital…

The aim of this survey, based on material held in the Aslib Library, was to produce a list of items dealing with cost and costings in library services, for use within the Aslib Research Department. Attention has been concentrated on material published since 1960, although a few items prior to this date have been included. Items which are…

The problem of user education is the central theme of the Fourth Triennial Meeting of International Association of Technological University Libraries. The papers presented are supplemented with references, and with a verbatim question and answer section. The eleven papers are: (1) Information Services in Academic Libraries by M. B. Line, (2)…

This study of Texas school libraries had three objectives: examine school library resources, services, and use, on the basis of the School Library Programs: Standards and Guidelines for Texas and determine the need for updating these standards and guidelines so that they better serve communities across the state; determine the impact that school…

Reviews the various techniques and methods employed to measure user preferences with respect to the provision of particular library services. The ranking of user preferences, direct judgment methods of measurement, tradeoff analysis, and conjoint analysis are among the topics discussed. A reference list is included. (JL)

The research that is reported was done to describe some of the conditions under which or because of which information service is provided in small, rural public libraries, and suggests some of the problems that are endemic to such service. (Author/FM)

MetroDocs, an organization of the metropolitan Oklahoma City depository libraries, formed a committee to establish service standards for the Oklahoma depository libraries. The libraries conducted a survey, the results of which revealed that customers were generally happy with the libraries' services, but that there was still room for improvement.…

Non-reference guidance is not available at many public libraries. One fifth of the respondents to a questionnaire indicated that they had some type of formal program but several had funding problems. The history of and need for reader advisors is presented. (22 references) (DH)

The areas of strength and the areas of weakness in the general patterns of library user service policies in Indiana are identified. The study also presents information which will have an impact on planning and provision of future library services in the state. The current pattern of library service policies in Indiana are compared with the optimal…

The State Library Agencies (STLA) Survey is conducted annually and is the product of a cooperative effort between the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS), and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The Survey provides state and federal…

The results of a survey of machine-readable data bases in Wisconsin are reported. Fifty-eight data bases accessed by Wisconsin libraries are listed alphabetically. Included in the descriptions are the name of the data base, its subject coverage, its availability, the year it began, the frequency of update, the current size of the file, the name of…