This study examined the importance of negative searching, or searching to discover topics not previously explored in writing, and its oversight in the library literature. A survey of university faculty revealed a tendency to view negative searching as necessary to scholarly endeavors, but an online literature search showed little discussion of…

Examines the role of library reference services in the enhancement of cultural literacy. The discussion covers the relationship between the extent of cultural literacy possessed by reference librarians and the quality of librarian patron interactions, and the role of reference sources in the cultural literacy of librarians and patrons. (53…

Presents guidelines from the Reference and Adult Services Division relating to the needs of libraries that use fax and electronic document delivery systems in the interlibrary loan process. Highlights include equipment recommendations; uniform practices regarding equipment operation and administration; guidelines for borrowing and formatting; and…

Analyzes developments in the study of user needs to determine areas of consensus in the field, particularly areas of greatest value to practicing librarians. Topics discussed include the user; conceptual frameworks for information and knowledge; information seeking; the use of information and knowledge; system design; and future research needs.…

When helping undergraduates assess materials, academic librarians balance the reference interview with instruction in electronic databases. This article describes a method connecting these tasks with a search strategy dependent on the user's information needs. The connection is made by labeling the user's need with a diagnostic tool based on…

A survey designed to ascertain user expectations and satisfaction with interlibrary loan service was conducted in 1992 of a 20% sample of interlibrary loan users at Middleton Library of Louisiana State University. Findings indicated a high level of user satisfaction. (Author/JKP)

Master's students in library science and students in a library technician program were asked to read scripts of reference interviews in which the amount of bibliographic instruction and the "maleness" or "femaleness" of questions were varied. They were then asked to make a judgment about the competence of the reference…

Presents an annotated bibliography for librarians of access tools for publications and documents of specialized agencies of the United Nations (UN). A brief review of the nature and purpose of the UN specialized agencies is included, along with general sources for information on UN agencies. (seven references) (LRW)

These guidelines for library services designed to meet the particular needs of older adults cover special library materials, outreach programs, utilization of older adults as volunteers and employees, relationships with other agencies, and including this population in library planning and resource allocations. (CLB)

A survey of 180 small businesses in the London, Ontario (Canada) area examined the role of the library in providing information. Found that small businesses mainly obtained information through informal sources: customers; suppliers; and friends, associates, and relatives. Concludes that public libraries should network and promote an image of the…

Discusses user-centered thinking and lessons from reader-centered theory. Reviews findings from studies by literary theorists on user-centered approaches to information and uses these findings to support and offer two analogies: (1) an analogy between reader and library user; and (2) an analogy between information and the library. (Author/JMV)

Discusses the needs of remote users of online public access catalogs (OPACs). User expectations are discussed; problems encountered by remote-access users are examined, including technical problems and searching problems; support services are described, including instruction, print guides, and online help; and differences from the needs of…

Discusses basic principles of human-computer interface design that will be helpful to librarians involved in designing effective OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) screens. Highlights include physical features; general principles; menu screens; commands; inquiry screens; messages, including help screens; and organizational considerations,…

Discusses the growth in nonbibliographic online databases and machine-readable data files (MRDF) that are accessed offline, and considers how libraries need to respond to the changing needs and expectations of researchers. Textual and numeric databases are described, and three possible levels of library service are outlined. (13 references) (LRW)

Case studies and user surveys are examined to determine which resources are likely to be used by varied types of information seekers. The study develops a profile of how adults learn and the relevancy of public libraries to their learning project activities. (Author/EM)