Discussion of the use of CD-ROMs in academic library reference departments focuses on types of instruction librarians can offer and their possible impact on other reference services. Classroom instruction versus point-of-use instruction is compared, and implications for librarians and library management are considered. (Contains 23 references.)…

Discussion of customer service and Total Quality Management in academic libraries highlights selected customer-service training programs and popular customer-service videos. Topics discussed include utilizing campus resources; staff attitudes; commitment of administrators; and service training issues for academic library managers. (22 references)…

Presents a conceptual and organizational model for systematic selection of electronic publications that was developed at Cornell University's (New York) Mann Library. Described are the concept of information genres, the role of genre specialists, and a selection review board. The model is a method of mainstreaming electronic publications into the…

Discusses school librarians' use of telecommunications to provide access to electronic resources and information databases outside the school library. Examples are given of services provided through the Internet, including electronic mail, file transfer protocol, Gopher, Wide Area Information Server, and World Wide Web. (five references) (LRW)

Describes the design and implementation of the Reference Expert, a database based on INMAGIC software which contains problem reference questions and answers for use by library reference desk staff. Topics discussed include staff response to the database and problems encountered in its development. A sidebar describes the use of WORM…

Describes the 15 rural extension centers maintained by Texas community colleges. Reports survey findings regarding the library extension services offered to the centers, including full branch libraries (five centers) and informal arrangements with public libraries for services (five centers). Indicates mileage between center and campus. (DMM)

Describes a service offered by the library at Oakton Community College (Illinois) to full-time college faculty and administrators. Faculty members register to receive the contents page from any periodical in the collection and are encouraged to borrow the periodical or request any desired articles. (DMM)

Describes results of a survey of rural public libraries that was conducted to determine what technology is currently available and in use. Highlights include library personnel education; cataloging and other areas of technical services; reference services; online databases; and suggestions for further studies. A copy of the questionnaire…

Discusses the impact of decreases in revenues on the resource-sharing activities of ILLINET Online and the Illinois Library Computer Systems Organization (ILCSO). Strategies for successfully coping with fiscal crises are suggested, including reducing levels of service and initiating user fees for interlibrary loans and faxing photocopied journal…

Discussion of the need for strategic planning in public libraries highlights a case study of a small resort town library, the Crawford Memorial Library, in Monticello, New York. Deciding on specific library roles and planning their implementation are described, and the importance of environment and competition in strategic planning is explained.…

Describes the roles of various divisions of the American Library Association (ALA) in helping to pass the youth services resolution at the 1991 White House Conference on Library and Information Services (WHCLIS2). A sidebar contains the text of the resolution, which is entitled The Omnibus Children and Youth Literacy through Libraries Act. (LRW)

Describes services available through the National Library Service (NLS), a division of the Library of Congress that provides books on cassette, disc, or in braille for students with learning disabilities and/or visual impairments. The history of the NLS is described, and cooperation with regional libraries is explained. (LRW)

Reports on the American Library Association (ALA) 1992 Annual Conference. Highlights include awards given; libraries' futures; bibliographic instruction; NREN (National Research and Education Network); telecommunications; lack of status in librarianship; proposed guidelines for patron behavior; interlibrary loan; the Americans with Disabilities…

Describes a project at Earlham College that provided faculty with free searches on DIALOG for one year to explore the effects of using new information technology. Changes in student assignments and on faculty attitudes are discussed; the impact on library reference services is considered; and students' use of online searching is examined. (two…

Describes a survey of users of ERIC and AGRICOLA databases in a midsized public university library. Statistics on the use of computerized and print resources, user reasons for choosing the computerized databases, and the percentage of inappropriate or borderline searches are presented; and implications for library services are drawn. (12…