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Canada's National Core Library Statistics Program is designed to capture several key indicators of the broad impact on Canadian society of library services provided by the public, academic, and special library sectors. These impacts can be broadly organized into cultural and economic. Current indicators of cultural impact are question answering services, which numbered 82,000 inquiries per day in 1996 by Canadian library users, and collection use, numbering well over 1 million circulations daily in 1996. Other cultural indicators are library staff, library collection holdings, and service points. An aggregate indicator of economic impact is library expenditures, which totaled more than $1.4 billion in Canada in 1996. However, several important dimensions of library service are not captured at present in the National Core Library Statistics Program, in particular self-help use of electronic information. Given the multidimensional nature of library services and impacts, the challenge of articulating library value must be correspondingly multidimensional, standardized, and universal. (Author)

This study addresses the problem of an adequate distinction between the concepts of library science and information science. The study identifies and analyzes the definitions of these and related terms that have appeared in English-language literature over the past century, and evaluates the logical adequacy of the linguistic expression of these terms. The definitions were examined using the philosophical method of conceptual or definitional analysis. In this examination, several levels of linguistic expression about a domain were identified and analyzed: the name, the nature, the content, the focus, and the function. The analysis of the definitional literature reveals a domain in crisis over its central identity. The literature is characterized by disagreement, contradiction, and inconsistency in the terms used to conceptualize the domain. The absence of conceptual rigor is manifest in the previous attempts to distinguish information science from library science. In order to advance conceptualization and consensus about the domain, there is need for a vision beyond science, beyond technology, and beyond professionalism, to a more basic level of understanding. A unifying theory is needed, one that will map out a unique domain, ground its central function and technology in a societal context, synthesize and simplify its terminology, and articulate an agenda of problems for inquiry. (Contains 82 references.) (Author/SWC)

The quality and success of library services to users at the City of Brampton Public Library and Art Gallery, Ontario, Canada, were investigated through a series of questionnaires, statistical data analyses, and comparisons with past use studies of this and other public libraries. The study utilized the operational methodology outlined by Altman in "A Data Gathering and Instructional Manual for Performance Measures in Public Libraries" with substantial refinements and adaptations to the Brampton situation. Data regarding patron characteristics, in-library use of materials, equipment and facilities, circulation, and staff interactions were collected on questionnaires and recorded on data gathering forms. Findings of the spring 1979 self-study provided a basis for comparative analysis with an earlier summer 1978 study and allowed for refinement of data collection techniques and operational methodology. These related to the system only; a more detailed analysis by branch, along with comparison with 1978 findings, yielded further insight into user satisfaction and user activity. Additional comparisons of use studies concerning libraries of comparable size to Brampton, and the present study revealed contrasting patterns of library use. Recommendations are presented in light of these findings, and data tables and questionnaires are appended. (CWM)

This study describes and evaluates key bibliometric patterns in the articles published by the former "Journal of Education for Librarianship" (JEL) during its first 24 volumes of existence from 1960 to 1984. Data from each issue of JEL were collected and analyzed using a statistical analysis software package, SPSSx (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, Version X). Since becoming a refereed journal in 1971 (volume 12), JEL's scholarliness has increased dramatically--at least insofar as a quantitative indicator reveals. Before 1971, just more than half of all articles contained bibliographic citations. Since 1971, this proportion has grown steadily, and in the 1980s, 9 out of 10 articles were referenced. The number of citations per referenced article has also increased steadily, from 8 before refereeing to 17 in the 1980s. This article includes background information on the issue; a theoretical framework for studying bibliometric patterns; a review of the related literature; conceptual problems and definitions; explanation of data collection methods and procedures; study findings; and a summary and conclusions. Statistical comparisons, numerous data tables, codes, database exclusions, and project costs are appended. (Author/THC)

Discusses why challenges to materials in school libraries cannot be avoided. Demonstrates how reader response theory, the multiple readings of text, makes self-censorship difficult. Explains how "censorproofing" by title, author/artist, and subject ignores reader unpredictability and maturity levels. Finds all school libraries vulnerable to criticism, censorproofing is in opposition to professional responsibility, and suggests alternatives. (LAM)

Discusses the role of research in graduate education for library and information studies from the perspectives of students, practitioners, and researchers. Results from two studies are examined that explored (1) research activities by academic librarians, and (2) practitioner and student attitudes about research and required research methods courses in library school. (28 references) (LRW)