Physicians' perceptions of library services in a rural state

Abstract

A survey was disseminated to learn physicians' perceptions of library/information resources and services available in South Dakota. It sought their reactions to various information sources, their assessment of available library services, and their opinions as to which services should be promoted. Descriptive data provided by the respondents (geographic location, affiliation, specialty, years of service, and local institutional availability of library services) were correlated against responses. Only the last variable (which indicated whether the physician was unserved, underserved, or served by library information services) provided significant differences in group responses. The survey, results, and implications for library services in other rural states are discussed.