Modern academic libraries have a great number of information resources available online in the form of electronic catalogs, books, journals, and subject subscription databases. To determine whether users can easily retrieve the information they are seeking, academic librarians conduct usability testing of their libraries' Web sites. There has been…

The growth of library networks throughout the world is described briefly. (PF)

Presents results of a survey of ARL (Association of Research Libraries) members in the United States and Canada that was conducted to discover which electronic reference options are offered and their impact on library services. Online mediated searching, CD-ROM, end-user searching, and local databases are investigated. (nine references) (LRW)

In order to optimize the use of available bibliographic data in machine-readable form by Canadian Libraries, the National Library of Canada is developing new automated systems. Implementation priorities are related to the development of national and international standards, systems, and networks. One major project is the design of a system, using…

This design phase study concerning the proposed replication of the DOBIS system for the British Columbia Library Network (BCLN) was conducted to determine the preferred strategy for the transfer and loading of the British Columbia Union Catalogue (BCUC) database currently resident at the University of Toronto's UTLAS system. User and database…

Described are existing components that could be linked together to form a Western Bibliographic Network or could provide products and services for Network members. The components reviewed are: (1) state library agencies, research libraries, state and multistate library networks, and other regional organizations in the 17-state western region and…

"Artists in Canada" is a bilingual union list of documentation files on Canadian artists held by the National Gallery of Canada Library and by 22 libraries and art galleries across the country. More than 42,700 artists are represented in "Artists in Canada," with biographical information, as well as locations for files.…

In 1982 a study was conducted to analyze educational software information currently available to Canadian educators and to develop a plan for effectively collecting, organizing, and disseminating courseware information in the future. The teachers, students, librarians, educational resource personnel, and administrators included in the study…

The Task Group advocates the development, with the guidance and support of the National Library of Canada, of a Canadian Library Network with the objectives of equalizing opportunity for access to information and making use of total Canadian library resources more cost-effective. This network would be composed of three interrelated components--a…

This study to determine the hardware and computing facility costs of establishing and operating a British Columbia Library Network (BCLN) for current members of the B. C. Union Catalogue used empirical data regarding their performance of the DOBIS system and estimates of workload, and compared those data with the costs of obtaining current…

Describes the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) efforts in China, Germany, Canada, Scotland, Jamaica and Brazil. Discusses FirstSearch, an end-user reference service, and WorldCat, a bibliographic database. Highlights international projects developing increased OCLC online availability, database loading software, CD-ROM cataloging,…

This book presents examples of how libraries are using XML (eXtensible Markup Language) to solve problems, expand services, and improve systems. Part I contains papers on using XML in library catalog records: "Updating MARC Records with XMLMARC" (Kevin S. Clarke, Stanford University) and "Searching and Retrieving XML Records via the…

This study was initiated by the Newfoundland Public Library Services (NPLS) to assess the feasibility of automation for the library services and to determine the viability of an integrated automated library system for the NPLS. The study addresses the needs of NPLS in terms of library automation; benefits to be achieved through the introduction of…

This study shows strategies which can be used to plan and implement the Canadian National Library's bibliographic data base and the systems which it is to support. The data base would be a subset of a national bibliographic data base which can be brought together in the context of the projected Canadian Library and Information Retrieval Center.…

Discusses and compares the incorporation of technology by larger public libraries in Canada and the United States. Technology mentioned includes online public access catalogs; remote and local online database searching; microcomputers and software for public use; and fax, voice mail, and Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf and Teletype writer…