Provides a definition of reference books based on their organizational structure and describes an empirical study which was conducted in three libraries to identify types of book organization and determine their frequency in reference departments and stack collections. The data are analyzed and shown to support the definition. (EM)

Presents the role of the Pikes Peak Library District's services in the creation and dissemination of an online clearinghouse in all four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Seven agencies and organizations involved in the network of community information that has been created are briefly described.…

The advent of deinstitutionalization and consumer health advocacy has spelled changes in mental health information seeking by general public, by families of mentally ill, and by the mentally ill themselves. Their information needs have implications for academic and public libraries and libraries in psychiatric facilities and general hospitals. (14…

A review of changing attitudes of library directors toward children's services shows parallels between the rhetoric of 100 years ago and that of today. Library directors interviewed believe children's services are essential to public library survival, the library's critical outreach arm, and dependent on multitalented, politically astute…

Provides detailed outline of a process for establishing a merit pay plan for public libraries, including guidelines for developing a job classification scheme and salary schedule, evaluating personnel performance, and making merit pay decisions. (CLB)

This study estimates the proportion of academic and public library acquisitions in the United Kingdom for which a UK MARC record is available at the time of cataloging. A beta-binomial model is used to attribute standard errors to each estimate and to compare differences between the two types of libraries. (Author/LRW)

Describes steps taken to improve usage of a public library young adult collection: (1) a survey of students' reading interests and needs; (2) analysis of the collection; (3) comparison of survey results with the collection; and (4) selection of additional titles. An annotated bibliography, the questionnaire, and survey results are appended. (11…

Presents the Public Library Association's planning model for strategic planning in public libraries. The development of the model is explained, the basic steps of the planning process are described, and improvements to the model are suggested. (CLB)

Suggests guidelines for library service to college and high school debaters: (1) learn how educational debate is structured; (2) assess the level of debate activity in the area; (3) determine appropriate levels of service; (4) evaluate and/or supplement existing resources; (5) provide services required; and (6) provide recognition. (37 references)…

Report on academic and public library facility construction (new buildings, additions, renovations) highlights academic library buildings and projects (1975-85), new circulation desks, public library buildings and projects, buildings not previously reported, funding, and a six-year cost summary. Individual project costs, square feet, volumes,…

Presents preliminary results of Clearwater Public Library's study of the usefulness of "Output Measures for Public Libraries" as an indicator of reference performance, and the impact of collection development choices on reference output measures. Data on turnover rate, in-library use, reference fill rate, and reference transactions per…

Discusses the problem of serious dangers in current and backlist chemistry experiment books. Discarding of older books and careful evaluation of the dangers inherent in newer books are recommended. Safe alternatives are suggested, including some criteria for evaluating dangers, and a safer approach used by a current author. (EM)

Service to young adults in German public libraries expanded under the Nazis because of their idealization of youth. The elaborate structure created to propagate Nazi views determined the types of books and services available. Progress resulted from the accommodation to a totalitarian creed that was essentially evil. (EM)

Examines aspects of automation of technical services in four public libraries with major emphasis on management decisions (key decisions, constraints limiting options available, decision makers). Factors which emerged as important in determining decisions included municipal council attitudes, facilities available, urgency of need to change,…

Describes use of telephone sales as marketing tool for sale of materials from publishing industry to children's libraries. Nine guidelines designed to protect consumers, overall reactions of librarians who have purchased goods and services by telephone, and sources of free and inexpensive information on telemarketing are included. Ten references…