Observations on the causes of user frustration at Sears Library, Case Western Reserve University were done in 1972 and 1974. A method of analysis was developed that allows for the calculation of four independent probabilities indicating measures of performance of acquisitions policy, circulation policy, library operations and users. (Author/AP)

A survey was conducted in the undergraduate library at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to determine the availability rate of library materials. The results indicated that 53.8 percent of the titles searched were located on the shelves. Reasons for failure, recommendations for improvement, the questionnaire used, and data tables are…

Data from a survey of the teaching faculty at three academic institutions show that, of four variables that affect their perceptions and use of their libraries (institutional affiliation, subject area, academic rank, and length of time at institution), length of time proved most often statistically significant. (Author)

Describes a study that assessed the attitudes of novice searchers before and after using a laser videodisk system. The discussion covers the relationships between the users' initial attitudes, prior computer experience, and success in using the videodisk system. (11 references) (Author/CLB)

This longitudinal study of a one-semester credit course of bibliographic instruction for undergraduates reveals lasting student appreciation that frequently increases following course completion. (RAA)

A survey of Library of Congress staff following implementation of four optical disk reader stations measured their satisfaction with training, documentation, equipment and printing, and system reliability and usefulness. Staff found no major flaws with the system, and they saw its usefulness primarily as an access tool. (CDD)

Review of research on online public access catalogs sponsored by Council on Library Resources notes the scope and method (questionnaires administered to catalog users and nonusers in 29 participating institutions) and findings and applications (including organizational setting and computer system, catalog use and satisfaction, and implications).…

This study, conducted at a separate serial card catalog in a major research library, measures the success of more than 400 patrons in the retrieval of serials. Patron interviews supplement data analysis to determine approaches, success rate, and underlying reasons for success or failure. An appendix includes the survey questionnaire. (Author/RAA)

Explains conjoint analysis and its use in marketing research and describes an evaluation of reference services in academic libraries that used conjoint analysis to determine user preference regarding the importance of definitiveness of answer, waiting time, service time, number of items found, hours of available service, and cost. (Contains 13…

Describes a study that examined the appropriateness of database selection by patrons using CD-ROM. The findings discussed include the effect of search experience on appropriate database selection, whether the database used affected search strategies, and patrons' opinions about the need for training and the success of the searches. (three…

Discussion of qualitative and quantitative research techniques highlights the use of focus group interviews and describes their use at Purdue University to determine student user perceptions of and attitudes toward the library system. The use of the interviews as a supplement to a questionnaire survey is discussed. (20 references) (LRW)

Discusses the lack of quantitative standards in the ARL-ACRL Standards for University Libraries and demonstrates the use of statistical techniques to analyze data and derive minimal criteria which, while they describe quantitative relationships among libraries, provide no indication of quality of services. Sixteen references are cited. (RAA)

Discusses an increase in library users providing services for themselves that were formerly provided by library staff, and describes a study conducted at Ohio State University that measured (1) the public's acceptance of patron-initiated renewals and other capabilities, and (2) the resulting impact on staff activity. (five references) (LRW)

Describes a study that investigated whether academic library patrons searching Agricola on CD-ROM would be willing to use an online updating system to obtain more current citations, the level of user satisfaction with the updating system, and the cost involved in making such a system available to all patrons searching Agricola on CD-ROM. (Four…

Describes a study that used the shelf availability research methodology to identify and quantify the causes of users' failures to identify and locate library materials. The factors resulting in unsuccessful searches are discussed, and recommendations for reducing these factors are made. (26 references) (CLB)