DOCUMENT RESUME ED 044 139 LI 002 175 Survey of User Service Policies in Indiana Libraries

298 Pages·2011·5.37 MB·English

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 044 139
LI 002 175
AUTHOR
Olson, Edwin E.
TITLE
Survey of User Service Policies in Indiana Libraries
and Information Centers.
INSTITUTION
Indiana Univ., Bloomington. Graduate Library School.
SPONS AGENCY
Indiana State Library, Indianapolis.
PUB DATE
70
NOTE
298p.; Indiana Library Studies Report 10
EDRS PRICE
EDRS Price MF-$1.25 HC-$15.00
DESCRIPTORS
Information Centers, Information Services,
Libraries, *Library Research, *Library Services,
*Library Surveys, Questionnaires, State Surveys,
*Use Studies
IDENTIFIERS
*Indiana, Indiana Library Studies
ABSTRACT
The areas of strength and the areas of weakness in
the general patterns of library user service policies in Indiana are
identified. The study also presents information which will have an
impact on planning and provision of future library services in the
state. The current pattern of library service policies in Indiana are
compared with the optimal policy chosen by groups of librarians and
the ideal policy from the users, view point. Part One of this report
presents important aspects of the study methodology. In Part Two,
after a discussion of assumptions, and the organization and overview
of the data, the study findings are presented according to the
outline of user service policies used in the questionnaire. In Part
Three, the conclusions and implications of the study for the state of
Indiana are discussed. The appendices present additional
methodological detail, and the Supplement presents all of the
descriptive data tables and detailed weights obtained in the study.
(MF)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. EDUCATION
& WELFARE
OFFICE OF EDUCATION
THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRODUCED
PC\
EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM THE PERSON OR
ORGANIZATION ORIGINATING IT. POINTS OF
1-1
VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED DO NOT NECES-
4.
SARILY REPRESENT OFFICIAL OFFICE OF EDU-
CATION POSITION OR POLICY.
O
Report Number Ten
LLI
of the
Indiana Library Studies
Peter Hiatt
Director and General Editor
SURVEY OF USER SERVICE POLICIES IN INDIANA LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION
CENTERS
by
Edwin E. Olson
Associate Professor
School of Library and Information Services
University of Maryland
Prepared April, 1970
Bloomington, Indiana
1970
Table of Contents
Page Number
x
Preface
PART I STUDY DESIGN
Purpose of Study
A.
1
Development of the Survey Instrument
B. 1
Sample Design
C.
3
... Academic libraries
5
... Special libraries and information centers
6
... Public libraries
7
... School libraries
8
Validity and Reliability Analysis
8
D.
... Reliability of school library data
9
11
... Public and academic reliability and validity test
... School library validity test
13
13
... Summary
14
Data Collection and Processing
E.
14
... Academic and special libraries
14
... Public libraries
16
... School libraries
18
... Data processing
... Response Rate
18
21
... Response Bias
Weighting of Responses
23
F.
... Purpose of obtaining weights
23
23
... Method of obtaining weights
... Problems in interpreting and using weights
25
27
... Summary
PART II
DATA ANALYSES
29
Purposes and assumptions
A.
Organization of data
30
B.
Overview of the data
32
C.
i
40
Provision of Materials in the Collection
D.
... Overview of the Data
40
in Library
40
... Provision of Materials While User is
40
... Policies for Specific Materials
Libraries
... Request and Delivery Policies of
Providing Staff Delivery
46
... Facsimile Copying
47
... Access to Unavailable Material
49
... Provision of Materials to User Not in the Library
51
... Requests and Reservations
Si.
Delivery of Materials
52
... Special Services
55
... Summary
56
Circulation of Materials in Collection
60
E.
... Overview of Data
60
... Policy for Specific Materials
60
63
... Borrowing Procedures and Limitations
... Returning Procedures and Limitations
65
68
... Routing Services
Summary
68
Provision of Materials Not in Collection
71
F.
... Overview of Data
71
... Policy of Obtaining Material
71
... Requests
74
... Circulation and Charges
75
... Summary 76
Provision of Bibliographic Citations
78
G.
78
... Overview of Data
78
... Verification and Screening Aids
... Subject Searching
82
... Alerting and Agent Services
83
84
... Summary
Answer Services
H.
87
... Overview of Data
87
90
... Provision of Specific Information
93
... Summary
ii
User Instructions and Educational Programs
I.
96
...Overview of Data
96
...Instruction in Use of Information Resources
96
...Educational Programs
100
...Miscellaneous Instructional Services
103
...Summary
105
Wherewithal
J.
107
...Overwiew of Data
107
...Hours Open
107
...Work Space
110
...Audio-Visual Equipment and Facilities
112
...Assistance to User in Producing Materials
114
...Miscellaneous Support Services
115
...Summary
118
User Relations
120
K.
...Overview of Data
120
...Publicity
120
...Review of Policy by Users
125
...Summary
125
Other Services
126
L.
...Services Included Elsewhere in Questionnaire
126
...Library Operations and Supportive Services
128
...Additional User Services
129
Special User Groups
130
M.
...Groups Receiving All Library Services
131
...Groups Receiving Special Services
132
PART III
CONCLUSIONS
The Analytical Process
136
A.
Relative Im ortance of Libra
Service Policies
138
B.
Current Library Service Policies
141
C.
liatchofitPolicwitlayltimalPolic
D.
144
Redistribution of Priorities
148
E.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
150
iii
APPENDIX A.
Sampling Plan for School Libraries
151
APPENDIX B.
"Survey of User Services in Indiana
School Libraries," Hoosier School
Libraries, Summer, 19.69
157
APPENDIX C.
Process of Obtaining Weights
160
... Identification of Weighters
160
... Academic Library Weighting Group
161
... Public Libraries
162
... School Libraries
163
... Special Libraries
163
164
... Steps Followed in Weighting
SUPPLEMENT TO THE SURVEY REPORT
SECTION I
Detailed Service Policy Data
167
167
...Guide to Use of Descriptive Data Tables
...Descriptive Data Tables S-1 to S-73
170
Detailed Weights Used in Data Analysis
SECTION II
244
SECTION III
Questionnaire for Survey of Library User
Service Policies
260
iv
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE PAGE
Response Rates
19
1
Match of Scores with Optimal Service Policies
2
of Ideal Library:
Total Scores for All
Service Policies
36
Match of Scores with Optimal Service Policies
3
Scores for Provision of
of Ideal Library:
Materials in Collection
41
Summary of Weights and Correspondence of Current
16,
Policy and "Optimal' Policy for Provision of
Materials in the Collection
58
Match of Scores with Optimal Service Policies
4
of Ideal Library:
Scores for Circulation
of Materials
61
Summary of Weights and Correspondence of Current
4A
Policy and "Optimal" Policy for Circulation
of Materials in Collection
70
Match of Scores with Optimal Service Policies
5
of Ideal Library:
Scores for Provision of
Materials Not in Collection
72
Summary of Weights and Correspondence of Current
5A
Policy and "Optimal" Policy for Provision of
Materials Not in Collection
77
Match of Scores with Optimal Service Policies of
6
Scores for Provision of
Ideal Library:
Bibliographic Citations
79
6A Summary of Weights and-Correspondence of Current
Policy and "Optimal" Policy Provision of
Bibliographic Citations
86
Match of Scores with Optimal Service Policies of
7
Scores for Answer Services ..
88
Ideal Library:
7A Summary of Weights and Correspondence of Current
Policy and "Optimal" Policy (Answer Services)..
94
Match of Scores with Optimal Service Policies of
8
Scores for User Instruction
Ideal Library:
98
and Educational Programs
8A
Summary of Weights and Correspondence of Current
Policy and "Optimal" Policy for User
106
Instruction and Educational Programs
Match of Scores with Optimal Service Policies of
9
108
Ideal Library:
Scores for Wherewithal ...
9A
Summary of Weights and Correspondence of Current
119
Policy and "Optimal" Policy for Wherewithal..
Match of Scores with Optimal Service Policies of
10
121
Scores for User Relations..
Ideal Library:
10A
Summary of Weights and Correspondence of Current
127
Policy and "Optimal" Policy for User Relations..
134
Public Library Services to Special Groups...
11
Summary of Weights and Correspondence of Current
12
Policy and "Optimal" Policy for All Service
147
Policies
vi
LIST OF FIGURES
PAGE
FIGURES
Cover Letter Used for Academic and Special
1
15
Lil-raries
Distribution of 1000 Points Among Major
2
Service Policy Categories
34
Percentage Distribution of Individual Library
3
Scores Expressed as Percents of the Optimal
Total Scores for all Service
Score:
Policies
38
Percentage Distribution of Individual Library
4
Scores Expressed as Percents of the Optimal
Score for Provision of Materials in
Score:
Collection
42
Percentage Distribution of Individual Library
5
Scores Expressed as Percents of the Optimal
Score for Circulation of Materials
Score:
in Collection
62
Percentage Distribution of Individual Library
6
Scores Expressed as Percents of the Optimal
Scores for Provision of Materials
Score:
Not in Collection
73
Percentage Distribution of Individual Library
7
Scores Expressed as Percents of the Optimal
Scores for Provision of Bibliographic
Score:
80
Citations
vii
Percentage Distribution of Individual Library
8
Scores Expressed as Percents of the Optimal
Scores for Answer Services
Score:
89
Percentage Distribution of Individual Library
9
Scores Expressed as Percents of the Optimal
Scores for User Instruction and
Score:
Educational Programs
97
Percentage Distribution of Individual Library
10
Scores Expressed as Percents of the Optimal
Scores for Wherewithal
Score:
109
Percentage Distribution of Individual Library
11
Scores Expressed as Percents of the Optimal
Scores for User Relations
122
Score:
viii