Survey of Information Services in British University Libraries

Abstract

The survey was undertaken to provide background information for a SCONUL exchange of experience seminar on information services in university libraries. It found considerable variation in the services provided within individual library systems but revealed that the principle of information provision is widely accepted in all types of library except those of the London colleges, with the highest level of service being provided by the technological universities. About a third of the libraries responding had staff devoting most or a significant part of their time to information work and between 50% and 60% offered literature searches, current awareness services and publicity for or assistance with computer-based information services, although in many cases any given service was only provided for a minority of users within the institution.