Reviews research on impact assessment of libraries and considers potentially useful methodologies for measuring the impact of university libraries, i.e., how library use affects students' academic performance. Topics discussed include categories of library use, purposes of library use, and indicators of library impact. The user panel methodology…

Describes a project that was designed to study the effectiveness and efficiency of editing procedures within an online bibliographic system at a large research university library. A comprehensive statistical overview of editing commands available is presented, frequency of their use is studied, and questions for further research are suggested.…

Describes a study conducted in the Netherlands to provide an understanding of how secondary school teachers actually use computers in the classroom. The use of classroom observations, interviews, and teachers' diaries to determine factors affecting the extent and type of use of computers is explained, and a model of factors is presented. (Contains…

A questionnaire was distributed to 575 college library users to explore the extent of their use of federal, state, municipal, international, and foreign documents, as well as usage of various bibliographic tools to gain access to them. Responses demonstrated that bibliographic instruction in the classroom significantly affected access to documents…

Describes a survey of 100 community and junior college librarians to collect information about the libraries, the availability of electronic mail systems, and attitudes about expanded E-mail use for interlibrary communication. Of 22 respondents, 12 have local E-mail systems and 11 have access to multi-institutional networks. Includes the…

Investigated services received, length of treatment, and outcomes of thousands of Asian-American, African-American, Mexican-American, and White clients using outpatient community mental health services. Asian Americans and Mexican Americans underutilized services. African Americans overutilized services and exhibited less positive outcomes.…

Describes a survey instrument developed at the University of Northern Colorado library that compared students' self-assessed library skills with a test component. Findings are reported that indicated no dramatic trend of higher proficiency with increasing academic status, although self-assessed skills showed such a trend. (seven references) (LRW)

Description of community online systems focuses on a Freenet in Illinois called P.A.T.H. (Public Access to Heartland). Highlights include patron use; discussion groups and bulletin boards; electronic mail; reference questions; Freenet's place in public libraries; and sample reference questions answered by Freenet information providers. (five…

Results of this study of the utilization pattern of adult public library users in Nigeria showed that the majority are students preparing for examinations who read their own books, do not borrow from the library, and are unaware of the existence of reference or audiovisual materials. The need for change is stressed. (Contains 14 references.) (EAM)

Includes three articles about research in the school library media field: (1) "The State of Research Today" (Michael B. Eisenberg) (2) "Recent Trends in School Library Media Research" (Robert Grover and Susan G. Fowler); and (3) "Notes from ERIC" (Barbara Minor) provides references to 10 research overviews and…

Examines the efficacy and utility of the National Geographic Society's Mammals Multimedia Encyclopedia, an interactive multimedia CD-ROM, used by 12-year-old elementary students as the principal source for a summary paper. Existing research, project methodology, student information seeking and recording strategies, form of information accessed,…

Describes the use of focus group interviews by the Iowa City Public Library to determine how the libraries' business services were being used and how they could be improved. Analysis of group suggestions highlights lack of knowledge about library services, differing degrees of perceived ease of use and motivation, and time constraints. (22…

Describes survey of graduate students that was conducted to develop a profile of users of computer mediated communications (CMC). Current literature on CMC is reviewed, and results of the survey are focused on three areas: (1) professional purpose and value perception; (2) social purpose and perception; and (3) personal purpose and perception. (22…

Presents an interim report on a study that is investigating the potential application and effectiveness of selected output measurement techniques for use in the evaluation of school library media programs. Reference services and in-house use will be evaluated in the study. (LRW)

Interviewed 44 women who did not obtain prenatal care. Identified four categories of reasons for nonuse: women's lifestyles differed from mainstream; stressful events took priority over prenatal care; women attempted to receive care but were discouraged, turned away, or given poor information by service delivery system personnel; and women did not…