A discussion with the staff of the Internet Public Library (IPL), which began as a project at the University of Michigan, highlights its role in supplementing local public library services; classification; collection development policies; and the impact of legislation, copyright, and universal service on IPL. A sidebar presents IPL user…

Presents a conceptual and organizational model for systematic selection of electronic publications that was developed at Cornell University's (New York) Mann Library. Described are the concept of information genres, the role of genre specialists, and a selection review board. The model is a method of mainstreaming electronic publications into the…

Summarizes issues discussed at an institute held at Cornell University on the impact of electronic publishing on library collection development. Topics discussed include libraries of the future; the National Research and Education Network (NREN); a definition of an electronic library; scholarly communication; implications of national networks; and…

Presents the results of an informal user survey on favorite information technology, including the best features of these. Discusses library online catalogs, electronic encyclopedias, CD-ROMs, laser discs, electronic magazine indexes, online services, the Internet, word processing programs, magazines as major sources of technology information,…

Considers trends and influences that affect the relationship between libraries and vendors. Topics discussed include information in electronic formats; selection criteria; economic factors and library budgets; resource sharing and cooperative collection development; sociological changes; preservation activities; and the evaluation of dealers. (six…

Discusses the impact of internetworking on academic research libraries with special emphasis given to collection development and resource sharing in an electronically networked environment. Topics addressed include a brief history of the Internet, NSF-Net, and NREN (National Research and Education Network); and future trends in the development of…

Examines the shift from the vision of the virtual library to the digital library concept. Discusses attitudes toward electronic resources, CD-ROM technology, the appropriate use of electronic formats, differences in information needs, balance between print and electronic media in libraries, and collaborative resource development. A sidebar…

Libraries exist for the benefit of the mind, but they have practical problems coping with the acquisition, storage, and handling of the documents and records with which they deal. Any change in technology that would have a significant effect on the methods available for these procedures could have important consequences for library service. The…

Discusses collection development and acquisitions in virtual, or networked, libraries. Topics include electronic versus digital libraries; philosophical issues of library acquisition; user expectations, including wants and needs; strategic planning, including resource sharing agreements, retrospective conversion, and staff training; collection…

Discusses selecting for a reference collection, creative budgeting, cutting a deal, collection awareness (strengths/needs), Web site reviews, R-Net (reviews from diverse areas and institutions), and print vs. electronic reference products. Reference librarian adhere to high standards for reference book and Web sites, teach assessment techniques,…