Discusses responses of 937 academic library directors who were surveyed to determine whether their libraries provide services to users outside academic community; whether outside users are charged fees; and what services are provided for fee. Extracts of information (services, staff, comments) received from ten universities are highlighted. Survey…

This survey of rural and suburban libraries produced over 660 usable responses on special problems of rural libraries. Nearly half of libraries had budgets of under $30,000; about half did not have M.L.S. degree-holding staff members; majority participated in cooperative system; many reported inadequate reference resources; and isolation was major…

A nationwide survey of online searchers at 150 college and university libraries was conducted to explore various characteristics of this group. From a sample of 380 searchers representing 85 libraries, 201 surveys (52.9%) were returned, and 198 responses were usable. Variables examined include online training, searcher experience, professional…

A survey of 200 Iowa rural public libraries serving a population of less than 2,500 was conducted in 1984 to determine reference service characteristics. A total of 137 libraries responded to a survey modeled after a questionnaire developed by Bernard Vavrek for a 1981 nationwide survey. It was found that the number of full-time staff members was…

This report describes a 1986 survey of procedures and priorities at Indiana University and Purdue University regional campus libraries designed to aid the librarians at the Walter E. Helmke Library at Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, in re-evaluating various library procedures. Responses were received from nine of the 11 libraries…

This research report presents the results of a survey of public libraries that serve areas where populations are 25,000 or fewer individuals. The long range goal of the study was to gather data that would help to initially describe some of the circumstances in which and because of which rural information services exist and endure. Questionnaires…

Describes a survey that was conducted at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville library to count and categorize the types of questions coming into the reference department from telephone calls. Informational and directional calls are examined, implications for staffing are considered, and queuing theory is applied. (seven references) (LRW)

This 1974/75 survey with a follow-up study in 1980 assembles data on the management and use of vertical file (VF) collections in the 18 libraries of the City University of New York. Results of questionnaires sent to 188 reference department heads or reference librarians show that the sizes of the VF collections studied range from 1,000 to 79,000…

Findings of a survey of the level of reference service requested at service points conducted at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University indicate that, while 20.5 percent of 14,026 questions recorded fall in the reference category, only 0.7 percent required research by professional librarians. Models of reference desk service and…

Discussion of the ability of library staff to completely and correctly answer reference questions focuses on a training program developed by Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) to increase the accuracy of reference staff performance. Technical feedback skills and peer coaching are discussed, and the need for administrative support is…

This study profiles bookmobile libraries operating within the state of Ohio. Details of the services offered to the public by these libraries were gathered through a questionnaire soliciting information about individual programs. The questionnaire was completed by 35 librarians in Ohio--in each case, the librarian most responsible for the…

To develop method for determining adequacy of library reference desk staffing, data on reference transactions, person hours, percent of professional hours, and turnstile count for 1979 were obtained from 71 academic libraries and correlated with library performance measures. Formulas for predicting number of reference transactions and 17…

This report documents a study undertaken to determine the feasibility of and need for an information desk at the Kent State University (KSU) Library. Study methodology included gathering information through a review of the literature and a telephone survey of six academic libraries in Ohio comparable in size and holdings to KSU in order to develop…

Presents results of survey of 64 Illinois academic institutions which was conducted to determine library use of nonprofessionals at the reference/information desk. Characteristics of nonprofessionals, use patterns and desk hours staffed by nonprofessionals, referral and training, and trends for desk staffing are discussed. (Eight references are…

Presents results of survey of personnel allocation practices for online search services in 10 Canadian university libraries noting implications for remedies to problems at University of Ottawa. Assignment of searches on basis of subject specialization, training library technicians to run online searches, and end user searching are discussed. (EJS)