Describes the social construction of technology (SCOT) framework which encourages a focus on the multiple perspectives inherent in the development and evaluation of digital libraries. Relevant social groups, interpretive flexibility, and closure are used to examine an evaluation case study of the "Making of America" (MOA) digital library…

Explains the Institution Wide Information Strategies (IWIS) project developed by the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) to investigate how an academic institution can coordinate its activities and allocate resources to best manage and support its use of information and information technology. Summaries of projects and objectives of the nine…

Discusses the need for more technology training for library employees. Highlights include computer literacy skills; productivity; knowledge of operating systems; troubleshooting with hardware; ongoing training in information technology; and placing more importance on the computer skills of prospective employees. (LRW)

Describes the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) professional-development program that is designed to provide institutional teams of librarians and information technologists with the tools they need to work collaboratively on projects of mutual interest and need. A workshop is described and future development is considered. (Author/LRW)

Describes the National Initiative for a Networked Cultural Heritage (NINCH), a membership coalition of 65 cultural organizations and institutions, including arts, humanities, and information technology communities, committed to successful integrated networking of cultural resources. The NINCH Web site, strategic community-wide meetings,…

Considers whether libraries are artifact-bound institutions and therefore will be replaced as the dominant technology for information communication moves from tangible objects to electronic bits on a network. Topics include what libraries are for; libraries as information subsidy; subsidies for networked information; and the digital library as…

Establishes a research-based set of guidelines for design of World Wide Web pages, provides an analysis of what guidelines currently exist, and compares selected parts of these guidelines with a sample of existing Web pages. A literature review and a list of the 20 Web pages used for comparison are included. Contains 200 references. (Author/LRW)

The introduction to a special issue on locally loaded databases in online library systems discusses three trends in using technology to provide greater access to materials available in library collections: unification of local collections; access to outside resources; and inclusion of reference works and full text in online catalogs. (three…

Reviews technological innovations that have allowed the emergence of digital libraries and fostered new multidisciplinary collaborations; identifies areas of collaboration between librarians and engineers; and gives examples from digital spatial library projects funded by the National Science Foundation that involve maps, cataloging, data…

Discusses the development of technical services workstations at Mann Library at Cornell University (New York). Topics addressed include project goals, communications software, the operating environment, personal information management software, implementation and training, possible future applications, and the impact of new technology…

Discusses some of the theory underlying visual access tools for special collections, introduces a specific World Wide Web application using the technology, and indicates some of the potential of the tool for visual access to images as well as text documents. Appendices include texts of courses used for proximity calculations as well as NASA…

Discusses technology and its effects on society and humans, particularly library and information technology. Highlights include the evolving history of technology; and values related to technology in libraries, including democracy, stewardship, service, intellectual freedom, privacy, literacy and learning, rationalism, and equity of access. (LRW)

Describes the development of the national integrated online information network in the Republic of China. Highlights include a history of library and information automation in Taiwan, the coordination efforts of the central government, creation of the Chinese MARC format, and automation under the leadership of the National Central Library.…

The first of two articles on MELVYL, the University of California's online library system, discusses the next generation of public access information retrieval systems for research libraries based on lessons learned from 10 years of MELVYL. The second article considers MELVYL in the larger context of the University of California's information…

Includes five papers presented at the 1995 VTLS Inc. Fifth Annual Director's Conference in Roanoke (Virginia), entitled "Back to Basics: Rethinking Libraries." Topics include libraries' use of high technology, collection management and electronic publishing, public services and telecommuting clientele, what to expect of library school…