Student workers are a well-established component of academic library operations. Recently, their traditional role has expanded to include responsibilities that were previously assigned to librarians, including in-person and virtual reference support. This trend has raised concerns about service quality and highlighted the importance of adequate…

This annotated bibliography recommends 58 readings in 9 categories from the training literature for reference librarians: (1) overviews; (2) establishing an atmosphere to facilitate learning; (3) assessing needs; (4) defining competent performance; (5) writing training objectives; (6) selecting training methodologies; (7) maintaining skill levels;…

Reports on research that focused on competence and performance of reference libraries in academic libraries in Nigeria. Includes recommendations for improving competence and performance, including the reference process; staffing and other resources; education for reference librarians; knowledge of modern technology; and emotional stability and…

This report describes the results of a project to conduct research on and to develop instructional materials for use in on-the-job training of professional and non-professional library personnel in scientific and technical libraries. The project began on June 28, 1967 and was completed on May 15, 1969. This report reviews previous research,…

Describes results of a survey of rural public libraries that was conducted to determine what technology is currently available and in use. Highlights include library personnel education; cataloging and other areas of technical services; reference services; online databases; and suggestions for further studies. A copy of the questionnaire…

Developed with the support of the German Foundation for International Development (DSE) and the University of Botswana (Africa), this five-week "long vacation" training program includes four modules designed to provide refresher and in-service training for those library assistants who have work experience but have not been able to attend…

The first article summarizes the findings of four studies which used unobtrusive testing techniques to evaluate library reference services. The validity of this testing method and the conclusions reached are discussed, and suggestions are made for improving reference services in five related articles. (CLB)

Long a controversial topic in the specialized world of reference librarianship, unobtrusive evaluation is a useful tool in gauging the degree to which reference librarians are effectively performing their jobs. Based on a nationwide survey of government documents reference service in Canada, This book examines the broad philosophical implications…

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,…

Academic libraries in Ohio were surveyed to determine the existence and content of training in customer service offered to library employees in the circulation and reference departments. Surveys were mailed to 127 libraries, and achieved a return rate of 68% (n=87). The survey contained questions about customer service training for both new and…

The focus of this collection of papers about library reference service is on the community outside the library, rather than the special populations served within it. "Conflicts in Value Systems" (Allen B. Veaner) is an overview of the major conflict areas facing the library profession today. "Reference Services for Off-Campus…

Focuses on role of school library media programs in the fostering of lifelong learning and development of information skills. Highlights include information use and users, access, instruction, consulting, attitude problems, personnel and economic issues, planning and evaluating programs, education of library media specialists, and information…

A research project is being conducted to design, develop, test and evaluate instructional materials for on-the-job training of library personnel. The initial efforts are concentrated on the training requirements of scientific and technical libraries and involve development of three training course packages: technology in libraries, reference tools…

The needs for supplementary training of library personnel from increased demands on libraries for services, increased rates of personnel turnover, and a growing lag between personnel retraining practices and the rapidly changing requirements for personnel performance. The initial project covers (1) reference tools and procedures, (2) foreign and…

The first of two articles describes changes in information services in Iran since the Islamic revolution. Topics covered include the publishing industry, library collections and technical services, reference services, library personnel, information service administration, library education, and professional associations. The second is a call for…