Discusses the 10 questions most frequently asked concerning the installation of public library online services. Equipment considerations (choice of equipment, maintenance arrangements, baud rate), choice of databases and vendors, budgets, fees, training, elimination of printed tools, and promotion of the service are covered. (EJS)

Numerous Web-based phone and address directories provide advantages over the white and yellow pages. Although many share a common database, each has features that set it apart: maps, suggested driving directions, and phone dialing. This article examines eight (Bigfoot, BigBook, BigYellow, Switchboard, Infospace, Contractjobs, InterNIC)…

Describes the digitization projects being undertaken by publishers to provide long runs of back issues of newspapers and journal articles, and the necessary indexing tools, to meet the need for older materials. Discusses search capabilities, links, the addition of metadata, and usage statistics. (LRW)

Considers the quality of bibliographic control achieved by the three online databases offering significant coverage of the literature of librarianship: ERIC, LISA, and Library Literature. Focusing on coverage and indexing, the study compares online search results with the tables of contents of 67 journals and reports the results. (27 references)…

Presents 1992 sales of microcomputer systems by vendor. Customer support services, a new interchange format for MARC records, vendor market share and other statistics, foreign sales, and large and small systems are discussed. Profiles of 14 vendors, a chart of compatible system interfaces by vendor, and a directory of microcomputers sources are…

Discusses technological change and intellectual property as it affects libraries and access to electronic information. Topics include the balance between copyright law and fair use; the Copyright Term Extension Act; the Digital Millennium Copyright Act; product versus service; databases with public access; and similarities with Napster. (LRW)

Corporations employ data mining to analyze operations, find trends in recorded information, and look for new opportunities. Libraries are no different. Librarians manage large stores of data--about collections and usage, for example--and they also want to analyze this data to serve their users better. Analysts use data mining to query a data…

The computerized data base on community organizations of Monroe County Public Library, Indiana is described. (KP)

Reports on Seventh International Online Information Meeting sponsored by Learned Information, Ltd., and conference on Information Technology in Library/Information School Curriculum sponsored by British Library, both held in London, December 1983. Participant viewpoints, developments in online systems, teaching of technology in library schools,…

Presents list of sources providing information about reference uses of databases emphasizing those which are commercially available and issues and developments in online database searching. Citations to introductory textbooks, other useful monographs, journal articles, bibliographies, periodicals, directories, professional groups, conferences,…

Advocates replacing the traditional library card catalog with a more effective system. Technological developments such as machine-readable catalogs, automated authority control, and computer-output-microform make possible integration of nonbook media, government documents, journal literature, and local information into the main catalog. (SW)

Presents an annotated list of the best reference materials published in 2001. Discusses activity in the reference publishing industry; costs; and lists print materials, Web sites, databases, and CD-ROMs. (LRW)

Describes new CD-ROM products, services, software and data enhancements, and products with unique or interesting features. The discussion covers the extent of CD-ROM use in libraries; issues relating to networking, budgeting, evaluation, training and licensing; and factors to consider when selecting products or services. A directory of producers…

Librarians must get the most for their money and look to technology for new solutions. Several respondents think poor budgets mean more reliance on online databases and electronic full texts with less purchase of print. Companies that produce both media are likely to continue as long as there is a market for both, but they are gearing up for the…

Reviews new educational materials designed for microcomputer use: compact disk encyclopedia derived from "Grolier's Academic American Encyclopedia"; "PC Word Power," vocabulary enhancement game; "Public Domain Software on File," 250 programs for Apple II microcomputer users; "RightWriter," program designed to teach effective writing; "Kansas…