In a rare show of bipartisanship, the Senate passed the controversial Federal Library Agency Act (FLAA) on a nearly unanimous voice vote, sending it to President Obama for his expected signature. The House had passed it in February with a two-thirds majority. The FLAA creates a new mandate by combining federal library functions scattered…

This article features Laramie County Library System (LCLS) of Cheyenne, Wyoming, which is named as Gale/"Library Journal" 2008 Library of the Year. It is not just strong, effective publicity or the fine new building or even a staff built around its ability to connect with the people, although all of those things add to the impact of…

Examines the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) which provides access to the state's public library resources; federal, state, and regional information resources; and other electronic information resources. Describes OPLIN's role in Ohio, hardware and services provided, mission, origin, funding, staff training, databases, future plans…

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…

With all the new advances in library technology--including metadata, social networking, and Web 2.0, along with the advent of nonlibrary and for-profit digital information companies like Wikisource and Google Print--librarians have barely had time to reflect on the nontechnical implications of these innovations. They need to take a step back and…

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…

Discussion of electronic information access in libraries focuses on five areas that impact quality and cost: (1) hardware, including networking, graphics, and full-text capabilities; (2) software; (3) access and utilization, including Internet and instruction and training; (4) licensing, including suggestions for publishers as well as librarians;…

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 the Electronic Information Network, a project created by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in conjunction with public libraries in Pennsylvania's Allegheny County. The project uses the library's vision, funding, and librarian expertise to provide public access to community information on the Internet. Sidebars present steps and issues…

Three beliefs about library networks are discussed and shown to be myths: i.e., networks save money, blur the lines between technical and public services, and, by breaking down barriers between libraries, will move the profession from a philosophy of ownership to one of access. (EM)

Discusses the impact of Internet access on library reference services based on 1994 interviews with almost two dozen university librarians. Highlights include library policy, overcrowded workstations and methods of controlling use, recreational use of terminals that interferes with more formal library use, restriction as a form of censorship, and…

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…

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)

Compares current and past results from two surveys done of Association of Research Libraries' members to determine how electronic reference services affect staff, patron expectations, and user instruction. Increases were found in: patron Internet access; end user online searching; local area networks; and tape-loading databases. Decreases were…

Interviews with three CEOs--UMI (University Microfilms International), OCLC (Online Computer Library Center), and Gale Research--focus on outlooks for information and libraries. Discusses expanded educational Web services/courseware, library role in delivery, electronic dissertation publishing, digital data conversion, thesauri/indexing, union…