Discusses the economics and value of information and describes a study that compared an objective measure, the estimated direct costs to a library to purchase materials or provide services used by specific users, with a subjective measure, exchange values those users would pay for the information. (LRW)

Examines the Wallace Library Computer Access System at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Sources of 892 interlibrary loan requests processed between January 1 and March 31, 1992, were studied to determine how patrons used this increased access to electronic resources. Information on the source of requests, patrons, materials, and fill rates…

Presents a report on a study of the organization of oral data in libraries and archives in the United States and Canada. The management, collection, processing, and dissemination of materials in 10 documentation centers was investigated. (Author/JKP)

Reference librarians can adapt services for older adults through interviews using interpersonal communication skills. Reader's advisory services, programming, and outreach activities should be focused to target older adult users. Information about issues of family relationships, health, housing, legal and financial affairs, and leisure can be…

Discusses the use of electronic mail for reference services and investigates systems in health sciences libraries and in academic libraries. The use of electronic mail for services including interlibrary loan, online search requests, literature searches, photocopies or other document delivery, reference questions, and purchase requests is…

Presents a model for decision making concerning allocation of academic library materials to various levels of access (e.g., branch or central library open access shelving, compact shelving, depository facility, or interlibrary loan). Variables included in the model are the size of the collection, distribution of use, effects of time on use, and…

Identifies four common variables in picture preferences of elementary school-aged children: (1) relationship between text and picture; (2) degree of realism; (3) use of color; and (4) amount of complexity. Selection of picture books based on these preferences is discussed, and criteria to help develop standards for selection are suggested. (12…

Discusses collection coordination and development in academic libraries and describes collection development activities in the area of psychology at the University of Florida. Barriers to efficient collection development are addressed, including physical, organizational, and discipline-related problems; duplication studies are described; and…

Guidance for libraries in implementing the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is provided in question and answer format. Topics covered include library services and materials, employment issues, and parking requirements. (LAE)

Examines issues for school libraries related to increasing resource sharing among libraries. The importance of development of a school district curriculum guide and curriculum development policy and the purchase of library materials to support the curriculum is emphasized. Fair use procedures, cost considerations, timeliness, and system…

Describes a study that measures and analyzes the map collections of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) using data from 1984 and 1988. Size of collections and growth rate are examined, and a composite index is used to rank the map collections to determine whether maps receive the same attention as other materials. (14 references) (LRW)

Reviews more than 24 books recently published on the topic of Christopher Columbus and the voyages of discovery. Classifies the books as those designed for student use, for teachers and scholars, biographies, and "Columbus-Bashers." Maintains that the different viewpoints of Columbus the hero and Columbus the villain are barriers for…

Examines the descriptive cataloging literature of 1992. Topics discussed include cataloging simplification and improved practices; artificial intelligence and expert systems; Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, MARC format, and cataloging standards; authority control and bibliographic maintenance; retrospective conversion; romanization and…

Discusses libraries and democracy, one of three major themes for the 1991 White House Conference on Library and Information Services. The roles of newspapers and journalists are considered and the censorship of textbooks, library materials, art, and movies is discussed. (LRW)

This first article in a three-part series on environmental databases focuses on sources for general multidisciplinary environmental information. Databases that provide access to periodical literature, news information, press releases, magazines, books, and environmental education literature are examined; and a suggested list of environmental terms…