Argues that, because of its meteoric entrance into the library marketplace, too few institutions have reviewed the implications of CD-ROM before making their purchases. Issues that need to be considered are discussed, including funding, costs, equipment requirements, optimal locations for workstations, security and viruses, human resources, user…

Committed to utilizing information technology, the Westchester Library System (New York) made the World Wide Web publicly accessible. Describes the planning, implementation, and management process; obstacles involving financing; establishing Internet connectivity; and vendor negotiations. Westchester hired a Web manager, created Internet use…

Describes how a public library consortium jettisoned the Request for Proposal (RFP) process and used library staff, with some assistance from consultants, to evaluate new automation systems based on software demonstrations and Requests for Quotations (RFQ). The RFQ and RFP processes are compared. A sidebar article describes the financing plan.…