Survey which examined censorship requests in Alberta public libraries revealed that: more than one community challenge occurs in average week; in one out of three cases, impugned book was removed from shelves; high proportion of libraries reported no written censorship policies. List of 41 challenged titles is appended. (11 references) (EJS)

This report describes a study which was made by the Central Library of Rochester Public Library to determine how Central could best serve the needs of young adults and encourage them to be library users after financial cutbacks forced the closing of their Teen Lounge. Data were gathered in the period from August 1977 to May 1978 through staff…

Results of this study evaluating library reference service indicate a statistically significant difference at the .05 level between obtrusive and unobtrusive evaluation methods. Library staff answer a greater proportion of questions correctly when they are aware of being evaluated. The 30 questions used, a report form, and references are included.…

Report on a survey of 462 public librarians highlights existing bibliographic practices in managing nonbook media in library collections; attitudes about nonbook media as information sources (cost, informational value, storage and use); and attitudes about bibliographic access to nonbook media (integrated catalogs, classification schemes). Eleven…

Tests hierarchical regression model--library employee's salary is a function of library size, public sector collective bargaining strength, library's ability to pay, cost of living in area, presence of any union and union representing librarians in library--on three salary levels (department head, beginning librarian, clerical worker). (29…

This study assesses the impact of a six-session, lecture-discussion, behavior-practice program on basic parenting skills for parents who bring their pre-school children to library story hours at six public libraries using experimental and control groups. Research methodology, discussion of results, and recommendations for librarians are noted.…

This analysis of current adult reading habits, library use during previous year, and related childhood experiences of both the respondents and their parents reveals the importance of social learning and parents as primary agents in the development of reading and library habits. Twenty-three references are included. (EJS)

Examines the relationship between personality, as represented by Rotter's internal versus external control of reinforcement (locus of control), and frequency of public library use by university freshmen. Review of literature, hypothesis for study, definitions (independent and dependent variables), methodology and data collection, and findings are…

This study investigated the construct of effectiveness as it applies to public libraries and developed a methodology that can be transferred to other types of libraries and organizations. The research team began by compiling a list of indicators that are commonly used to gauge library effectiveness within the areas of: (1) services access; (2)…

Examines correctness of answers received to reference questions in Maryland public libraries and investigates three categories of variables that might affect that correctness: resources (number of volumes, subscriptions, staff, setting); demand (contact, busyness); and behaviors (negotiation of inquiry, interest in question, comfort with question,…

Proposes and investigates feasibility of using three new variables in addition to simple activity counts in measuring reference services: (1) user questioning regardless of where activity occurs; (2) treating individual user and question as unit of analysis; and (3) examination of questioning in context of other library use. (11 references) (EJS)

Circulation statistics for 198 books randomly selected from nonjuvenile collection at Allerton Public Library were ascertained. Comparison of experimental group (all related catalog entries withdrawn from card catalog) and control group (all catalog entries left intact) showed no statistically significant influence of removal of cards on…

Book condition surveys have been conducted in several large research libraries in the United States to determine the extent of book deterioration in those libraries. This paper outlines the steps for conducting a brittle book survey adapted from more comprehensive surveys to assess the extent of paper brittleness of the book collections in a small…

This nationwide study, conducted to investigate extent to which sex of individual is controlling factor relating to salaries, career progression, and library support, compared the careers of male and female public library directors serving populations of 100,000 or more in continental United States. Questionnaire is appended. (21 references) (EJS)

Overlap (two libraries own same title) and duplication (one library has more than one copy) in children's collections of books and audiovisual materials were measured. It was found that there was less overlap between two school libraries than between a school library and a public library. Six references are cited. (EJS)