Presents standards for reference services developed by the Suburban Library System (Illinois) and discusses the effects of the standards on youth services. Standards for a written reference plan, reference staff, reference sources, and evaluation are included. (11 references) (MES)

Designed as a policy statement for staff and an orientation document for the new staff member, this manual presents reference service guidelines for user assisted access to the library collections and library instruction. The manual sets forth the purpose, goals, and ethics of reference service; defines categories of users; establishes priorities…

Reviews common law contract and tort bases for malpractice liability and their applicability to reference librarians, special librarians, and information brokers. The discussion covers the legal bases for professional malpractice liability, the librarian-patron relationship, the likelihood of lawsuits, and the need for personal liability…

A library for the blind is a good public library which deals in several media: Braille, tape, and large type. Such a library has the capability and dedication to provide each patron with personalized service, transcribing materials from regular print on demand. Organizations that simply select books made available the Library of Congress for mail…

Intended for librarians familiar with basic online searching techniques and various vendor protocols, this manual describes and illustrates the policies, record-keeping, and forms used by the online services department of the Woodward Library at Austin Peay State University (APSU). Where specific examples are used, they are given with DIALOG…

This publication describes Wisconsin state level library services and their funding and presents recommendations related to state level resource providers, as required by Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 347, Laws of 1979. Types of and the structure for providing statewide library services and resources are outlined, followed by a description of…

This reference service policy manual provides general guidelines to encourage reference service of the highest possible quality and to insure uniform practice. The policy refers only to reference service in the University Libraries and is intended for use in conjunction with other policies and procedures issued by the Reference Services Division.…

Summarizes historical development of product liability laws which allow an injured party to seek to recover damages for personal injury or loss of property allegedly resulting from defective product and reviews activities of Triodyne Inc. in gathering evidence to be used in product liability lawsuits. Sixteen references are cited. (EJS)

This paper outlines the history and purpose of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which insures the right to access the voluminous files of U.S. government agencies, and explains FOIA implementation procedures for reference librarians assisting patrons. Recent attempts to amend the FOIA are discussed. Thirty-four references are cited. (EJS)

Includes three articles: the first presents rules and regulations from the "Federal Register" that focus on educational effectiveness in postsecondary institutions; the second discusses the appropriateness of various research methodologies for assessment and accountability of reference services; and the third examines data collection…

Based partly on an online policy manual developed at the University of Houston, this policy statement for the Online Database Retrieval Service (ODRS) at Murray State University, Kentucky, provides guidelines for the librarian administering the service and for librarians conducting online searches. Eleven sections cover: (1) a statement of purpose…

Designed to meet the information needs of students and to support curricula, planning, programs, and faculty and administrator research, the reference desk services described include: (1) assistance and instruction in locating and using library materials, (2) assessing interlibrary loan service for patrons and supplying other libraries with…

This manual formulates guidelines and serves as a policy document for microforms service at the Microforms Desk of the Government Publications and Microforms Department of the University of California, Irvine. Introductory materials include a description of the nature of the service and statements of its objectives and policies for dealing with…

Chronicles the development of the legislative reference services of the Library of Congress and briefly describes the current Congressional Research Service, which resulted from legislative acts passed in 1946 and 1970. (CLB)

Discussion of barriers that prevent open and free access to government information highlights federal policies toward reduced data collection for and dissemination of agency studies and privatization of these functions; the use of microforms and computer technologies as media for government information; and the quality of depository library…