Suggests that, upon close inspection, an increase in the use of paraprofessionals at the reference desk is undesirable due to false assumptions about the ability of patrons to ask for what they want and of professional librarians to provide better service at higher levels of efficiency. (JD)

Discusses the positive and negative aspects, as well as future possibilities, for transmitting interlibrary loan materials via telefacsimile. (CWM)

A modified Delphi study was conducted to determine the motivating goals of coordinators of children's services and children's librarians. Goals are discussed in terms of their rating on a five-point scale, and ranked according to the mean for the priority ratings assigned them by all the respondents. (JPF)

Describes the setting up of a collection of puppets for circulation at the Tredyffrin Public Library in Pennsylvania and explains how to fund, publicize, and manage such a collection. Investing in a puppet program does not require a lot of money; enthusiasm can stretch a little money a long way. (JPF)

Community analysis is a systematic gathering of facts and observations about the area served by a library branch; it provides a method that allows us to convert impressions into facts that young adult (YA) librarians need to prove that the library is helpful and that its services are visible. (Author)

Expresses concerns that American library interests suffer from a diffusion of energy and lack of focus so severe as to weaken the library position both nationally and globally. Establishing a national focal point to coordinate the activities of the various library and information service organizations is addressed. (JPF)

Outlines the development of public, commercial, and technical libraries and the establishment of local schemes of library cooperation. Current developments, activities, and changes where applicable are discussed in some detail. The inauguration of the Standing Conference of Co-operative Library and Information Services (SCOCLIS) and its recent…

Probes the contemporary definition of library resource sharing and outlines the attributes critical to such a program. Also considered are pressures for the adoption of resource sharing and roadblocks that might be encountered along the way. (JVP)

Portrays a public library's struggle for survival in the face of serious financial cutbacks. Strengths of this successful campaign for a serial levy are discussed and offered as models for other administrators who are encountering less spectacular success in preserving their public library systems. (JPF)

A lighthearted expose of non-typical patrons and their use and abuse of the reference librarian. (JAB)

Discussion of the guidelines which were prepared "to establish a conceptual framework of service" for all libraries by the Standards Committee of the Reference and Adult Services Division (RASD) of the American Library Association. (JAB)

The survey covers 42 libraries in Finland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Opening hours, collections of books, microforms, periodicals, newspapers and special depositories, subject fields, services rendered, publications, automated operations, and personnel are discussed to form a picture of conditions in general and in individual countries. (JAB)

Barriers to successful cooperation include apathy, competitiveness, lack of understanding of each other's roles, and failure to involve administrators. Although successful ventures are numerous and innovative, there is a need to achieve the ultimate goal--to satisfy the needs of patrons and to enable both school and public libraries to work more…

Following a brief outline of the library/documentation services available to the various departments of the European Communities located in Brussels and Luxembourg, the current information services provided by the main library of the commission are described. Plans for automation and conversion to microfiche format are outlined. (Author/JAB)

The National Library initiated a study of Canadiana to identify problems, suggest solutions, and plot future directions for national bibliographic services. Proposed services include magnetic tape, COM (computer output microfiche), and print. Problems dealt with include comprehensiveness of coverage, adherence to international standards, full…