CALL FOR PAPERS

[Monika Antonelli]

CALL FOR PAPERS

The Research and Statistics Committee of the Management of
Public Services Section of RUSA is sponsoring its fourth annual
Reference Research Forum at the 1998 American Library
Association Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

This is an opportunity to present and discuss your research project
covering the broad area of reference services.  Both completed
research and research in progress will be considered.  All researchers,
including reference practitioners from all types of libraries, library school
faculty and students, and other interested individuals are encouraged to
submit a proposal.  Suggested areas of investigation include:

*  Organization Structure and Personnel
*  Electronic Services
*  User Behavior
*  Reference Effectiveness

The Committee will utilize a "blind" review process to select a maximum
of three (3) projects for 25-minute presentations, followed by open
discussion.  Criteria for selection are:

*  Significance of the study for improving the quality of reference service
*  Quality and creativity of the methodology
*  Potential of the research to fill a gap in reference knowledge or to build
on previous studies
*  Previously published research or research accepted by December 1,   
1997 for publication will not be acceptable.

Please submit a one-page proposal by DECEMBER 1, 1997.  Notification
of acceptance will be made by March 15, 1998.  Submission must
consist of two pages.  On the first page, please list your name(s),
title(s), institutional affiliation, and address (including your mail address,
FAX number, and e-mail address).  The second page should NOT
show your name or any personal information.  Instead, include the
title of your project, a problem statement, a description of the
methodology, and an explanation of significance.  Electronic
submissions are acceptable and must also be delivered in two
parts.  Please send submission to:

Diana D. Shonrock, Coordinator, General Reference Section
Iowa State University Library
152 Parks Library
Ames, Iowa  50011-2140

(515) 294-7866 (work number); (512) 294-5525 (fax number);
shonrock at iastate.edu (e-mail)