Automating a library can be an expensive, time-consuming endeavor that includes many risks. These risks can be reduced through a variety of methods: learning all one can about the systems available that perform the functions in which one is interested, clearly defining one's needs and expressing them succinctly to vendors, and learning how other…

This is a step-by-step guide to designing and conducting an assessment of the in-house use of periodicals in a library. It focuses on in-house use because libraries that allow their periodicals to circulate probably already have mechanisms to track circulation. The guide consists of an explanatory text followed by a checklist. The checklist…

In 1989-90 Phi Delta Kappa conducted a national survey in approximately 100 communities in North America which involved 100 schools at each of the elementary, junior high, and high school levels. The data collected from the teacher survey were analyzed at Indiana State University. Approximately 9,259 teachers (2,078 elementary, 2,822 junior high,…

This review of the literature examines the relationship of information needs and uses and explores some of the factors that influence the relationship. The paper begins with a review of ways that the terms "information and information need" and "information use" have been defined in the literature. It then identifies and discusses three approaches…

This study investigated the level of use of videodisks and interactive video for industrial training purposes in northeastern Ohio. The study involved a mail survey which went out to 50 industry trainers in northeastern Ohio to determine their use of videodisks and interactive video; the study yielded a 42% response rate. Conclusions drawn from…

Serials collections are a costly but essential part of a library's periodicals holdings. Jacksonville State University Library's (JSUL) budgetary problems have forced librarians to examine their serials closely in terms of cost factors, indexing, expected usage, and curriculum and research support. The purpose of this project is to assess JSUL's…

This summary of the use of microcomputers in Florida public schools during the 1990-91 school year indicates that the schools have reported a total of 131,367 microcomputers being used for student instruction, and 21,806 being used for administrative purposes. Four tables present data on the number of microcomputers in individual school districts…

This book surveys current commitment to computers in education in many countries, with emphasis on use in Australia. For discussion of computer-related programs, countries other than Australia are categorized as (1) under-developed and uncertain--China, Thailand, and Yugoslavia; (2) developed but reluctant--Japan, Germany, and Sweden; and (3)…

A group of 40 elementary school librarians in the greater Phoenix area of Arizona were invited to participate in a study of the effects of an experimental school library motivational program on library use, library attitudes, and reading attitudes of elementary school students. Librarians at 13 schools participated, with 11 completing the study.…

A study was conducted to determine who, within a target user group, used and benefitted from a videotex system. The subjects were large-scale farmers who agreed to have videotex terminals installed in their homes to receive a wide range of informational and commercial transaction services provided by a bank holding company. At the end of an…

Summarizes a study of the use of reference service at Sterling Memorial Library, the central research library of Yale University. (PF)

This paper on the curiculum development process describes how primary sources may be used to teach history. Three frameworks related to historical understanding are presented: (1) the thinking skills/information processing framework; (2) the cognitive structure framework; and (3) the response theory framework. A curriculum development model is…

Ninety college students (63 women and 27 men) completed a questionnaire on computer use and attitudes toward computers. They also completed the Bem Sex Role Inventory. Results indicated no sex differences in frequency or purpose of computer use. Analysis of variance and chi square analysis by gender role orientation resulted in several significant…

A study examined the availability, cost, and usefulness of numeracy packages suitable for use in further education. Sixty-one of 590 further education (including tertiary) colleges in England, Wales, and Scotland (a 10.3 percent response rate) completed survey instruments. Relatively few books and packages were found to be widely used. Many staff…

One hundred fifty academic libraries were surveyed to determine if professorial note photocopying services were a factor in any decline in use of reserve by faculty at their institutions. Eighty-six responses were received. While they did not feel that use of library reserve services were being jeopardized, respondents indicated a number of…