The uses being made of the OCLC system in the area of public or reader's services was investigated in this study. Topics dealt with include the training of librarians and patrons in on-line searching, specific benefits of the data base to the public, disadvantages of the present OCLC system in public services, costs, and the motivation behind…

This exploratory study gathered data on the communication behavior, resource utilization, and organizational activity of Mexican, Cuban, and Puerto Rican residents of Chicago. An interdisciplinary and integrative literature review synthesizing findings from the relevant literature suggested classes of variables and relationships for this…

A survey was conducted to ascertain past use patterns and experiences, and projected future use by Minnesota schools of the University of Minnesota, Continuing Education and Extension, Audio Visual Library Service. More than 58% of the schools were represented by the returned responses, including public and private schools at K-12 levels and the…

A study of the Purdue University Libraries was conducted to help allocate costs by user group and academic department. A circulation survey was taken to determine user identification. The sampling included reserve material used in the library, materials borrowed overnight or longer, and use of photocopy service. Copies of transaction cards were…

Public library construction in North Dakota, MINITEX (Minnesota Interlibrary Telecommunications Exchange) service, state library use and service patterns, the state library collection, and the state library staff are covered in this report. Two tables contain the North Dakota Network for Knowledge fiscal report for 1974 and 1975. In addition,…

A mathematical model was used to consider alternative request routing policies for use in the Illinois Library and Information Network. Given data on interlibrary loan demands, the probability of request success, processing and delivery times for various libraries, and a network request routing policy, the model predicted the probability of…

The University of Washington Libraries offers a monthly computerized retrieval of medical literature (MEDLINE) based on a profile of interest supplied by the user. To evaluate user response to the service 136 questionnaires were sent out; 119 were returned. Among the major findings of the survey were: SDILINE is of major value in alerting users to…

A study was conducted of the International Information Service in Physics, Electrotechnology, Computers, and Control (INSPEC) selective dissemination of information (SDI) user profile generation. Five degrees of user involvement in the generation of profiles were investigated ranging from having the user provide only a statement of subject…

An evaluation of Chicago's El Centro de la Causa Library and Information Center was undertaken by the University of Illinois Library Research Center in 1974. Evaluation methods included: (1) a survey of user and nonuser characteristics and attitudes concerning library services; (2) a survey of the needs and information-seeking behavior of people…

Twelve different conversion plans were delineated and evaluated in the performance of this study effort. An indepth technical, financial, and cost/benefit analysis was included. One plan was determined to be distinctively more cost-effective than any of the other plans because it provided a technically feasible system that assured the maximum…

In the fall of 1972, the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Library began an internal management survey of its public service reference department (excluding circulation and special collections) with the objectives of streamlining operations and establishing more service points for users. Initial data was called from an earlier user survey.…

A project was undertaken by the University of Wisconsin library staff to educate freshmen and transfer students in the resources of the library and resource use. Visually appealing library instructional packets were produced in several media formats to achieve this aim. They were in two forms: a minipacket for quick help in finding library…

The Denver Public Library (DPL) conducted a market analysis of its success in meeting the information needs of three segments of the population of Denver, Colorado: households, business firms, and city government and quasi-government agencies. Information was sought on current DPL usage and nonusage practices of these three groups, their levels of…

Five issues must be considered if a more effective information and bibliographic delivery system is to be developed for Canadian education. (1) The size and characteristics of the reference group in Canadian education should be studied. With all its subgroups, this group may comprise as many as 200,000 people. (2) The number and types of documents…

A survey of 1,006 individuals was undertaken in Summer 1973 to aid the Advisory Committee of the Colorado Council for Library Development in its revision of the Colorado Plan for Library Development. Of interest to the Council were the opinions, attitudes, and reported behavior of the state's citizens concerning information needs and libraries.…