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)

This survey, performed under the authority of the New York State Library Services Plan Act, Project 30, 1964-1965, was conducted to determine the System's reference needs, including book, personnel and building requirements. Emphasis was to be placed on Rockland County and its libraries, and these requirements were to be related to the development…

Presents revision of the original "Guidelines for Establishing Information and Referral Service in Public Libraries," adopted by the Public Library Association Board of Directors on January 22, 1980. The revision approved on January 8, 1985, reflects changes in terminology and in the information and referral field during past five years. (EJS)

Current trends in public library reference service include use of online systems; budget constraints in public sector; increased service; use, training, and supervision of paraprofessionals; centralized organization of reference service; participation in management of reference services; and more realistic attempts at measurement and evaluation of…

This guide is designed to assist librarians and administrators both in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of their public library service to youth and in making immediate and long range plans to reach desired goals. The standards provide a basis for understanding the scope and purpose of youth services. A philosophical statement on service…

The Colorado Plan for Library Development is intended to serve as a general guide for the development of library service in the state. The Plan, which includes a number of recommendations from the Nelson Associates Report of 1965 (ED 020 746), was drafted by a committee representing the Colorado Council for Library Development, the Colorado…

Social and economic issues affecting the vitality of public libraries in California are discussed. A 1993 study by the California State Library identified diminishing reference skills and reference collections, reduced funding which impacted staffing, increased demand, technology change, and language/culture issues as contributing factors to…

In 1971 a study was made of library services in the Georgian Bay Region, which includes Bruce, Grey, Dufferin, and Simcoe counties in Ontario, Canada. The region covered a complex variety of library jurisdictions, from county libraries to numerous city, town, village, township, and Indian libraries. The study encompassed current status and…

In order to find reliable methods of ascertaining quality in library service, three public libraries in the Chicago area were assessed using the Rutgers "Performance Measures for Public Libraries." The Rutgers study can reveal the needs and characteristics of library patrons, and may itself be instrumental in increasing patronage. It…

Provides background on the adoption of standards for reference service in public, special, academic, and high school libraries by the Suburban Library System (Illinois) and discusses their implementation and plans for evaluation. Highlights of the standards for written policies, staff, and resources are given; and the problem of noncompliance is…

The study and recommendations for improved library service in Vermont are based on accepted library standards as well as a consideration of the state's unique pattern of library development. It is concluded that because the regional offices have no control over local libraries the concept of a larger unit of service does not exist, and it is…

Includes 89 references to materials relating to accountability and evaluation of library reference services. Highlights include research; statistics; planning; user studies; decision making; school libraries; public libraries; academic libraries; and standards. (LRW)