Describes the development of the WAIS (Wide Area Information Servers) protocol, a system that allows users access to personal, corporate, and commercial electronic information from one interface. The availability of WAIS on the Internet and the reactions of users are addressed. Several problems are considered, including funding, hardware…

Describes the Freedom Forum International Library Network that has been established in Central and Eastern Europe since 1992 to provide journalists in formerly Communist countries with current, accurate information through print materials, online databases, and CD-ROMs. Plans for future expansion are also discussed. (LRW)

Discusses the policy issues surrounding the provision of electronic information services by the Regional Bell Operating Companies and describes court cases, legislative activities, and key players. Concerns for librarians, including freedom of expression, privacy, and access to service are noted; and a sidebar summarizes American Library…

Developed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the electronic version of "Index Medicus," Medline is the world's largest collection of published medical knowledge. Discussion includes accessing Medline (cost-free) with a Web browser, librarians as links between patients and physicians; and examples of Medline searches. (AEF)

Seven experts in system planning offer their views on how optical disk systems will affect library participation in online networks, and discuss opportunities presented by these new products. (CLB)

Discusses problems and as-yet unresolved questions about public access to government documents raised by electronic publishing. One solution is libraries should adapt to include electronic files of government publications and include them in the growing digital collections. The way that librarians approach the struggle to maintain free and open…