Describes a videodisc project at Cleveland State University that was set up to improve the delivery of information by education professors. An exploratory study conducted to investigate factors that influence the use of technology by faculty who teach the core curricula in the education program is also described. (11 references) (LRW)

Examines how the U.S. public views the benefits associated with local governments' recreation and park services. The study concerns use of services; types of benefits perceived at the individual and group levels; and relationships between the respondent's perception of benefits, socioeconomic and demographic status, and use of such services. (GLR)

Discusses a survey undertaken in 1992 to gauge general user response to the online catalog used at a large state university library. A description of the library and its automated system (based on Geac/ADVANCE integrated software), the study methodology, and results are covered. A copy of the two-page survey is appended. (Contains five…

This last article in a four-part series describes database selection behavior of end-users of the EasyNet Scan feature in the categories of people, news, and general reference. Databases are ranked in descending order of selection, the value of multifile search strategies is confirmed, and plans for further investigations are presented. (LRW)

Investigates whether and how "cultural standards" influenced the use of cellular telephones by German and Chinese users. Uses focus groups, usability tests, and a questionnaire to determine how users obtained product information. Reports the varying learning and information-gathering strategies of Chinese and German users in terms of…

Reports on a survey on the use and impact of electronic resume management (ERM) systems in major corporations. Investigates the amount of ERM usage, methods and procedures used for capturing resume data, and the degree to which these systems are meeting personnel managers' expectations. Discusses implications for teachers who give instruction…

Examines how history graduate students seek information and how they use the university library in their information-seeking process, based on interviews at UCLA. Explores the use of new technologies and the reliance that history graduate students place on reference librarians and librarians in special collections. (Author/LRW)

Introduces an evaluative framework for metasearch engine performance and illustrates its use in two experiments. Results are used to characterize some properties of leading search engines (as of 1998). Significant interactions were observed between search engine and two other factors: time of day and Web domain. (Author/AEF)

Discusses the role of formative assessment and feedback on student performance and describes the implementation and use of an assessment system on the World Wide Web for a university psychology course. Reports on usage levels, patterns of use, and feedback from students. (Author/LRW)

This study examined the role of the Internet and its usage on the level of perceived independence among people with physical disabilities. Discusses independence, perceived control, psychological self-reliance, adaptive technology, hypotheses tested, and future directions. A copy of one of the questionnaires used is appended. (Author/LRW)

Reports on a two-phase study of academic libraries to identify patterns of database use and the factors that might influence this use. Online data was used as well as results from a survey that investigated factors that may influence online use, including level of instruction and availability of remote access. (LRW)

Examines current demographics of Web usage and the challenges they reveal. Provides guidance for creating World Wide Web content for international audiences. Addresses what can be achieved by making the Web a truly international medium. Concludes that a consensus has not yet been reached on a global graphic language. (PA)

A review of relevant library literature suggests that public library service to lesbian, gay, and bisexual people is poor. Offers ten suggestions to improve library services to these groups and discusses user studies; access, including classification and cataloging; library holdings; and social responsibility versus professional neutrality.…

Discusses three papers presented at the 1994 ALA (American Library Association) annual convention in Miami Beach (Florida) that deal with investment information in academic libraries and their use by faculty, doctoral students, undergraduates, MBA (Masters of Business Administration) students, and individual investors. (Author/LRW)

Discusses trends in library reference services, focusing on the needs of the individual user. Highlights include the effects of CD-ROM; the growth of online systems; tiered reference service structures; roving reference librarians; going out to users; user studies; and bibliographic instruction. (LRW)