This study examines the conceptual and theoretical issues arising from the planned redesign of ERIC (the Educational Resources Information Center) and its potential new roles in the dissemination system. A three-level definition of the ERIC system is provided; the goal of making ERIC a comprehensive dissemination program is refined to one of making it a comprehensive information service; and the relationship of ERIC to other parts of a comprehensive dissemination system is described. Additional considerations that are discussed include the dilemma of choosing between indirect and direct strategies of service provision, the question of generalization versus specialization, and the value of cooperative relationships with other programs, particularly regional laboratories and research centers. Finally, the role of information in educational improvement is presented from the three perspectives of technology transfer, renewal, and facilitation. It is concluded that it is essential that ERIC become more firmly grounded in a theory of knowledge use, and that studies of ERIC be used in making design decisions. The text is supplemented with two figures, and 27 references are provided. (KM)