Discusses the diverse client base served by the Wayne State University Law Library (Michigan) which includes secondary school students, undergraduates, paralegals, law students, attorneys, faculty, the general public, court reporters, legal secretaries, and librarians. An information service center and research guides developed to serve patron…

Describes the availability of databases held on DIALOG, ESA-IRS, and DATA-STAR. Database overlap among the systems, prices, database contents, and data transmission costs are addressed; and results of a search of the ENVIROLINE database on each system are presented. The appendix lists subjects referenced on each system and compares database…

Argues that for librarianship to become the information profession in a changing society, the continuing education environment for librarians must be strengthened. Proposes that, rather than recruiting new blood, professional education must focus on developing skilled continuing education practitioners and develop strategies to ensure the…

Compares OCLC's competitively priced online search services--EPIC, designed for librarians and experienced searchers, and FirstSearch, designed for end-users. Discussed are databases offered, ease of searching, holdings information, training needs, and pricing. Appendices of available databases and indexes for each service are included. (four…

Describes how anyone with a personal computer and a telephone can easily go "online" with hundreds of different bulletin board services (BBS), many of which are ideal data sources and information exchanges for amateur scientists. Lists contact information for selected commercial and governmental BBS systems. (Author/JJK)

Reviews research and writing on reference services in archives. Topics discussed include user studies of archives; the accuracy and efficiency of archival reference; the impact of technology on research in archives; interaction between researchers and reference archivists; and research needs in archival reference. (48 references) (LRW)

DISCOVER is a computer-based career decision-making system used in many libraries. In the stand-alone model, DISCOVER is used as a reference resource. In the librarian-facilitated model, the librarian provides counseling support as well as information. (SK)

Discussion of reference question negotiation by librarians focuses on a study at the Orem (Utah) Public Library that was conducted to determine how frequently the reference staff negotiated questions, how frequently negotiated questions received correct answers, and what verbal and nonverbal communication skills led to correct answers. (five…

Describes use of the contingent valuation method, a survey technique, to estimate the economic value that patrons attached to reference-desk service in the Virginia Commonwealth University library. Argues that the appropriate measure of patron benefit from reference service includes use value and option value. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of transaction log analysis at academic libraries focuses on its use for managerial purposes, specifically personnel scheduling at the reference desk. Describes a study that examined data from two academic libraries and data from one of the libraries that had been collected 10 years ago. (LRW)

As question answering services in the commercial sector proliferate, libraries are innovating with new forms of electronic reference (e-reference). The Library of Congress' Collaborative Digital Reference Service (CDRS) extends worldwide. Discussion includes reference service developments; "reclaiming" users; growth of library interest…

Investigates the effect of the Internet in references services in Malaysian academic libraries, and examines library professionals' perceptions of the importance of the Internet in reference work. Respondents felt the Internet has contributed positively to reference work and has enhanced their effectiveness and efficiency; however, a majority…

Discusses how to develop performance standards based on objective, observable criteria and describes how the reference department at the University of Nebraska at Omaha developed standards to meet their needs. Goals for performance are explained, and preliminary and final versions of the reference desk performance standards are appended. (Contains…

Librarians and library users were interviewed about their perceptions of actual reference encounters in academic libraries. Results demonstrate that a communication-centered approach to reference encounters provides rich insights into the interpersonal dynamics between librarians and users. An appendix presents some interview responses. (JMV)

Identifies a working set of standards by which to assess individual digital reference services (Internet-based human-mediated information services) and to define membership within a collaborative network of digital reference services. The standards are designed for the Virtual Reference Desk AskA Consortium. (Author/LRW)