Social networking and other Web 2.0 technologies led the social whirl of the information industry. Publishers and librarians tried to keep their products and services relevant by mixing authoritative content with user involvement, but that was not enough. Enhancing interfaces, adding new forms of content, and making strategic acquisitions--all are…

This description of an electronic bulletin board used by the Wisconsin Interlibrary Services network to process requests covers hardware, software, costs, advantages of the system, operation, training, maintenance, and problems encountered. (MES)

As head of information technology at the Prior Health Sciences Library, Eric Schnell likes to improve products that don't fully meet his library's purposes. His first major software product, the award-winning Prospero Electronic Delivery Project, is a web-based document delivery system designed to complement Ariel[R] by converting documents to a…

Identifies factors which may account for user dissatisfaction with online public access catalogs (OPACs) and discusses some advantages of OPACs over card catalogs: (1) design for subject searching; (2) flexibility; (3) browsing capability; (4) precision; (5) availability of status information; and (6) development of microcomputer software to…

Librarians must get the most for their money and look to technology for new solutions. Several respondents think poor budgets mean more reliance on online databases and electronic full texts with less purchase of print. Companies that produce both media are likely to continue as long as there is a market for both, but they are gearing up for the…

Reviews new educational materials designed for microcomputer use: compact disk encyclopedia derived from "Grolier's Academic American Encyclopedia"; "PC Word Power," vocabulary enhancement game; "Public Domain Software on File," 250 programs for Apple II microcomputer users; "RightWriter," program designed to teach effective writing; "Kansas…

This annual article reviews the progress and pitfalls experienced by the automated library system marketplace during 1985. Marketplace activity is represented by events in four segments: turnkey systems; library-developed software; software designed to run exclusively on microcomputers; and production of computer output microform catalogs. List of…

The dilemma is one that most public librarians know well. The interlibrary loan (ILL) service over the past seven years had increased by almost 72 percent--with no end to the upward spiral in sight. Borrowing had increased 23 percent, but lending to other libraries had seen the largest growth: 106 percent. ILL staffing hadn't increased and…

Summarizes four options for libraries that want to offer end user searching: end user systems (Bibliographic Retrieval Service's Afterdark, DIALOG's Knowledge Index); front-end microcomputer software (Sci-Mate Searcher, Pro-Search, WILSEARCH); gateway services (EASYNET); and local databases (now available on floppy and compact discs). Advantages…

Six articles on computers in libraries discuss training librarians and staff to use new software; appropriate technology; system upgrades of the Research Libraries Group's information system; pre-IBM PC microcomputers; multiuser systems for small to medium-sized libraries; and a library user's view of the traditional card catalog. (EM)