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This paper reports the results of a survey of heads of public library administrative units concerning their experiences with and perceptions of the employment of social workers. Among respondents, only six employed social workers. Among those who have not hired a social worker, fewer than half said that they were currently interested in hiring a social worker. Respondents revealed many issues that need to be considered, despite the many benefits that library administrators expect libraries to experience from adding a social worker to their staff. The top three reasons for not hiring a social worker are funding, licensure, and liability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Analyze, Search, Evaluate (ASE) process model is one result of the three-year IMLS study, Attaining Information Literacy (AIL), which focused on developing interventions for students who test as below-proficient on an objective information literacy skills test. The ASE process model provides a three-step process that is easy to understand and remember and that can be used as the basis for a variety of information literacy (IL) interventions. It was developed in response to data provided by below proficient students in surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Both the ASE process model and the related AIL educational intervention were developed using iterative formative evaluation and underwent extensive summative evaluation. This article introduces the ASE process model and explains how it can be used in community and Junior colleges to prepare students for college-level work, entrance into the workforce, and self-directed learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the design and development of an educational intervention intended to improve information literacy skills based on research with first-year college students. The intervention was developed over the course of a three-year period, during which time grant funding was received from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), supporting the collection of research data on the learning needs of first-year college students who scored below proficient on a standardized information literacy test. A variety of empirical methods including tests, surveys, interviews, and focus groups were used to collect data. The resulting intervention is a modular session that can be used as a stand-alone presentation or incorporated into other information literacy interventions. The design of the intervention stresses three main research goals: orientation to information literacy as a skill set, improved ability to self assess skills, and the acquisition of at least one skill that demonstrates the utility of instruction. At the heart of the intervention is the three-step Analyze, Search, Evaluate (ASE) process model of information literacy, which is easy to remember, easy to adapt to multiple instructional situations, and can provide a foundation for building additional information literacy skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments were conducted wherein wood shavings and Ponderosa pine needles in quiescent air were subjected to a steady radiation heat flux from a planar ceramic burner. The internal temperature of these particles was measured using fine diameter (0.076 mm diameter) type K thermocouples. A narrow angle radiometer was used to determine the emissive power generated by the burner. A model was developed to predict the steady-state temperature of a cylindrical particle with an imposed radiation heat flux under both quiescent air (buoyancy-induced cooling) and windy (forced convection cooling) conditions. Excellent agreement was observed between the model predictions and the experimental data. Parametric studies using the validated model explore the effect of burner (flame) temperature and distance, fuel size, and wind speed. The data suggest that ignition of the fuel element by radiation heating alone is likely only under circumstances where the fire is very intense (such as crown fires), and even then may still be dependent on pilot ignition sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on efforts by the Wiltshire County Council in England to use alternative options to improve its social services in the 1980s. Budget of the county for the 1981 to 1982 period; Service reduction; Use of joint ventures with private and voluntary organizations; Re-assessment of needs; Provision for the elderly.