This survey assessing use of online databases in marine science libraries indicates that, despite generally small staff and collection size, there is considerable involvement in OCLC and computerized reference service and active planning for public catalogs, serials automation, and integrated database management systems. Eleven references and…

Describes the facilities, collections, and services of the following special libraries in New York City: Shea and Gould Library; American Foundation for the Blind; Brooklyn Museum; Merrill Lynch Capital Markets Library; Public Relations of American Information Center; Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; and Brooklyn Public Library Business…

The Detroit Municipal Reference Library's organizational structure and services are described as an example for those interested in organizing a governmental reference library. Procedure is outlined for the initial selection of a basic collection and the subject fields that should be included. (Author)

Provides a description and assessment of the merger of the government publications division and the maps division at the San Diego State University (California) library that was necessitated by budgetary constraints. The impact on patrons is discussed, including reference assistance, arrangement of materials, reference and circulation policies,…

Describes the services offered by a special unit of the New York State Library which serves as a focal point for providing services to state agency staff and for relating the needs of state agency librarians to the State Library. The discussion covers the development of interagency networking and resource sharing. (nine references) (Author/CLB)

PEARL (Periodicals Automation, Rand Library) was established as an automated periodicals control system. Its objective is to facilitate the precessing, routing and control of the library's periodical subscriptions and holdings. The system became operational in November 1969. The manual Kardex System was completely eliminated in December 1970. (17…

Bibliographic reference is here defined as identification of documents by combinations of report numbers, accession numbers, contract numbers, personal authors, and/or corporate authors with subject. Bibliographic reference was taught to a non-professional staff member to service an uncataloged collection of scientific and technical reports. (7…

Because of the researcher's greater appreciation for library services, it has been generally assumed that special libraries operate more effectively reporting through research than through management. Experiences during the recent wave of industrial retrenchments make re-examination of this assumption appropriate (2 references) (Author)

Interviews were conducted with the heads of 11 business branches of major public libraries to examine how these experts view the future of the public library in the electronically dominated information environment of the future. Eleven references and a list of librarians interviewed are appended. (Author/EJS)

Discusses the general benefits of library networking in terms of selection, acquisition, organization, storage of and access to information, and the specific benefits of and barriers to special library networks. Examples of networking by special librarians are given, and suggestions are made for special librarians wishing to participate in formal…

Some titles to implement the clippings files and provide quick research sources for information which might not be available in other reference tools in the library are suggested. (Author/AB)

Describes techniques developed for providing continuing education to individuals solving medical reference requests over a telephone teleconference network linking library personnel in nonurban public libraries, systems libraries, and small hospital libraries. Background, project aims, and teleconferencing techniques, including their advantages,…

Provides background on the establishment of the Congressional Research Service, focusing on the growth of reference services and special librarianship during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The contributions of Melvil Dewey and Charles McCarthy, as well as legislative reference work in the Library of Congress, are discussed. (10…

This essay addresses the trend in online searching toward increased end user access of online systems. Highlights include recent developments in end user searching (raw materials, marketing, recognition); appropriate end user searches; psychology of end user searching; the role of the librarians; library policies; and change. Four sources are…