Discussion of the NREN (National Research and Education Network) and issues of access focuses on the role of the public library. Highlights include current uses of the Internet; resource sharing; guidelines for public library service; availability of the Internet and NREN through public libraries; and a sidebar that lists sources of further…

Considers the role of librarians in the networked information age. Topics include contributions of librarians to information technology, including bibliographic utilities, online database searching services, and public access to electronic information; future challenges, including controlling costs; considering community objectives; and the…

Examines current OCLC practices and future possibilities under the leadership of K. Wayne Smith. Topics discussed include the changing roles of libraries, business, and government; the electronic information future; network possibilities, including the NREN (National Research and Education Network); future collaborations; online databases; and…

Discussion of the proposed National Information Infrastructure (NII) focuses on the need for the NII to assist educational institutions, libraries, governments, and nonprofit organizations in carrying out their responsibilities for public access to information. New communications technologies are discussed; the role of librarians is examined; and…

Describes some of the new roles and challenges librarians face with the development of new information technologies such as computer networks and document delivery systems. It is argued that librarians will increasingly fill the role of information intermediary as patrons take advantage of end-user systems. (12 references) (LAE)

Discusses strategies for research libraries to meet current demands and limitations through networks and resource sharing. Explored in terms of their importance to research library development are OCLC, the Research Libraries Group and their networks, the concept of a central resources pool, and the impact of the information industry. (SW)

Report of the 1992 Medical Library Association (MLA) conference summarizes debates on librarians as chief information officers, electronic access versus ownership, electronic publishing and journal prices, and Total Quality Management. The role of the National Library of Medicine is discussed, and MLA honors and awards are listed. (MES)

Discusses academic and public libraries that expand the range and type of their services via fee-based information services and private information businesses that charge fees. Questions of billing the total cost to the patron versus part of the cost are considered; and the impact of such fees on library cooperation and networks is described. (six…

Discusses issues facing librarianship in the People's Republic of China based on observations by a delegation of American and Canadian librarians in 1985. Highlights include the impact of the Cultural Revolution, collection development strategies, user needs and barriers to use, outreach to special populations, networking and resource sharing, and…

Forecasts of the future of the public library highlight measures of success (quick information provision); service to remote users; an information infrastructure which includes smaller branch libraries; levels of service based on staff time required; fee-based, interactive research services; a new job title of "information specialist"; and book…

Contains reprints of four articles showing that librarians foresaw the impact of technology on libraries: (1) "Copyright and the Future of Authorship" (Barbara Ringer); (2) "Inventions and Books--What of the Future?" (Ethel M. Fair); (3) "The Changes Ahead" (Lowell A. Martin); (4) "Trial by Computer" (Basil…

Discusses current technology for electronic publishing, including various options in desktop-based, television-based, and portable platforms, and describes the capabilities of CD-I (compact disk-interactive). Future directions for electronic publishing in the areas of networking, potential for creativity in producing multimedia versions of titles,…

Describes the growth and linkage of computer and communication technologies in academic libraries, and suggests that librarians should assume a militant role in dealing with information issues, including: the library's role in relation to the individual scholar and the university's information environment; costs and budgets; and information as a…

Social and economic issues affecting the vitality of public libraries in California are discussed. A 1993 study by the California State Library identified diminishing reference skills and reference collections, reduced funding which impacted staffing, increased demand, technology change, and language/culture issues as contributing factors to…

Discusses the impact of electronic publishing, information networks, and new ways of accessing information on libraries. It is noted that the virtual library will still need human direction and that librarians' primary responsibilities will be in finding knowledge and teaching. (EA)