This study considers the theories of impulse buying in an examination of the effects on circulation of library books when books are displayed face front (with all or most of the book jacket showing) as opposed to spine front. Reviews of the literature on consumer behavior and on library displays support the hypothesis of this study, i.e., that…

A randomized experiment was performed in five high schools in which a random half of students in a sophomore English class received a special eight-week library-oriented treatment designed to improve students' understanding of, attitudes toward, and use of the school library. (Author/LMO)

A survey was administered to users of the New York State Library's microfiche catalog to determine their success and satisfaction in using the catalog and to examine characteristics of successful and satisfied microfiche catalog users. Usable questionnaires were obtained from 280 catalog users. Responses to selected items were weighted and summed…

Ninety college students (63 women and 27 men) completed a questionnaire on computer use and attitudes toward computers. They also completed the Bem Sex Role Inventory. Results indicated no sex differences in frequency or purpose of computer use. Analysis of variance and chi square analysis by gender role orientation resulted in several significant…

Describes a study that compared performance differences (perceived, actual, and temporal) for a strategic business information acquisition experimental task when subjects used a library versus using the Internet. It was found that task performance decreased and time to completion increased when using the Internet. (Author/LRW)

In-house surveys of patrons conducted in 20 public libraries in a county library system revealed no meaningful differences among the samples in reasons given for selecting the library to visit or in their uses of the library, although meaningful differences were found in their evaluations of the libraries' facilities. (Author/EM)

Reports on the Online Catalog Public Access Project, a survey of users and nonusers in 31 U.S. libraries conducted for the Council on Library Resources. Characteristics of users, tasks, library setting, and system interface that affect user satisfaction are identified. A 25-item bibliography and user questionnaire are appended. (7 references) (EJS)

Describes study of elementary school students that investigated the use of computer-based pointing devices. The time required to move to a target and the type of input device are examined, the applicability of Fitts' law is discussed, and the impact of input devices on processing rate is examined. (27 references) (LRW)

Reports on a study that examined transaction logs of end users of PaperChase searching UM-MEDLINE at the University of Michigan to describe the use of various search features and to determine the effects of search experience on the use of search features. Boolean operators are discussed, and further studies are suggested. (23 references) (LRW)

Describes a survey of physics and physical science teachers in Iowa that was conducted to determine their use of microcomputers. Availability of computers and types of software used are examined, frequency of use and access to computer laboratories are investigated, and results are compared with those from earlier surveys. (seven references) (LRW)

Reports on an experiment in which detailed logging of the use of experimental information systems was used to determine the optimal configuration of the systems for users. Results suggest that systems can be created for users by analysis of the interaction of design features with personal characteristics such as cognitive abilities. (Author/LRW)

A randomized experiment was performed in five high schools in which a random half of the students in a sophomore English class received a special 8-week library-oriented treatment designed to improve students' understanding of, attitudes toward, and use of the school library. The treatment was found to have a statistically significant effect on…

This was a two part investigation of leisure, work, and time use. A preliminary study replaced work and leisure as separate entities with the concept of "meaningful activity." Significant differences in views of "meaningful activity" were found for persons in two widely separated occupational levels. The second part investigated childhood…

Presents results of study of 32 children (under five and over five) enrolled in preschool program in midwestern university which investigated when children should be introduced to computers and whether or not computer is perceived as sex-stereotyped activity by young children. Background, procedures, and results are discussed. Twenty-one sources…

Describes study of college students that examined relationships between their attitudes toward computers and amount of computer use. Microcomputer and mainframe computer usage are examined, gender differences are discussed, the need to use computers in classes is considered, and perceived educational benefits and social impact of computers are…