The functions of electronic mail and online catalogs are described, and the possible uses of the two in conjunction for library purposes are explored, including notes between librarians, broadcast news, patron notifications, selective information dissemination, and interlibrary loans. (Author/CLB)

Six library consultants address issues related to the future of online catalogs, including (1) types of material that will be accessible; (2) the role of the automated library; (3) evolving beyond the current objectives of library automation; (4) new technologies; and (5) the library profession's image of the future. (3 references) (MES)

Designed to provide managers with a basic introduction to the planning components and procedures involved in planning for library automation, the overview provided here offers guidelines for eight documents that may be produced as part of such a study: (1) Automation Project Long Range Plan (60 Month Plan), an executive summary document providing…

Different views on the future of research libraries are presented in this collection of papers from persons affiliated with the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany. Joseph Z. Nitecki (library director) discusses the effect of social change on library missions, operations, and procedures. Warren F. Ilchman (vice president for research and…

Describes a technique for accessing a library system with limited interconnectivity by connecting the system to a gateway machine that is a host in the local area network and evaluates the performance of an existing prototype that has been implemented at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. (Author/CLB)

Sixteen papers from a workshop on computer applications sponsored by the University of Cape Town (South Africa) School of Librarianship are presented in this volume: (1) "Introduction to the Use of Information Technology" (Sue Bleimschein); (2) "Searching Remote Databases" (Steve Rossouw); (3) "SABINET [South African Bibliographic and Information…

Discussion of basic telecommunications concepts includes data terminal equipment, carrier equipment and data communications equipment. Guidelines offered for librarians planning the implementation of a telecommunications network address reliability and costs of equipment, requirements of the system, and ease of use of the system. (CLB)

This study reviews changes brought about by advances in computer and telecommunications technology and describes online searching of sociological databases. Social changes affected by electronic technology are discussed, and speculations are made concerning the future effects of this technology. Also discussed are changes induced by recent…

Describes the Linked Systems Protocol, a draft national standard for bibliographic information retrieval aimed at developing an extended protocol for the movement of bibliographic information from one system to another, and its implications for library automation, the individual librarian, and the library user. (CLB)

The first of two articles describes the development of a protocol for interlibrary loan communications by the National Library of Canada, and discusses the benefits derived from standards that allow libraries using different communications equipment to exchange messages. The second discusses the impact of the standardized protocol on…

Results of this survey of 26 public and academic libraries of national stature show that the country's major libraries are fully committed to automating their library operations. Major findings of the survey show that: (1) all libraries surveyed are involved in automation; (2) all libraries surveyed have automated their catalogs and bibliographic…

This document describes an investigation designed to examine the possibilities for using both existing and new technologies to increase and enhance public service capabilities at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) Library, and to recommend an ongoing mechanism for assessing priorities for the application of technology in the…

This guide for school administrators and staff is intended to be used in conjunction with the "Guidelines To Provide Uniform Wiring Service for Telecommunications in North Carolina Public Schools" as they: begin planning for cable implementation in the schools; work with architects and builders in the design and implementation of cabling…

Discusses ways in which new information technologies are creating change in the academic environment and in the roles of traditional knowledge centers, and describes a program in which three academic support services--the library, computer center, and media center--have integrated planning and services to provide access to information. (CLB)

This document provides a detailed design for the data portion of the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC) public library network. The data network is based on Frame Relay technology, and would provide more functionality at a higher speed than a previously considered dial-in network could. The document is divided into 16 sections: (1) Introduction;…