The Internet is increasingly used to disseminate health information about diseases and prevention and to help in obtaining health services. Although technology can empower African Americans to adopt healthy lifestyles, the gap in usage between African Americans and Whites undermines the potential power of health Internet technology (IT) to…

The ubiquity and familiarity of the world wide web means that students regularly turn to it as a source of information. In doing so, they "are said to rely heavily on simple search engines, such as Google to find what they want." Researchers have also investigated how students use search engines, concluding that "the young web users tended to…

This paper provides a historic overview of the evolution during the last century of gray literature in the knowledge society. The first section presents some definitions of gray literature and the stages of its development from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. Some institutions that played a key role in the administration of this…

Automated geographic information systems (GIS) consist of integrated digital databases containing information about geographic features; hardware, software, and people used in the analysis of features; and descriptions of features. Currently no standard method of accessing widely scattered geographic data exists. Argues that this can solved by…

Discusses the practice and perspectives of free access for the public of Uzbekistan to legal resources, including distant and disadvantaged communities. Explains the legal database system and presents results of a project at the Open Library for Legal Information to organize legal information by regional libraries and public centers for legal…

Provides a history of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) union and its information services and research functions. Examines the research department and the influence of technology, shifting from collecting information to using information from the Internet and online databases that has made access easier. Analyzes information services with…

The Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) is a federally funded, nationwide information network designed to provide users with ready access to education literature. The mission of the ERIC system is to improve American education by increasing and facilitating the use of educational research and information to improve practice in…

Discusses computer user authentication and authorization issues when libraries need to let valid users access databases and information services without making the process too difficult for either party. Common solutions are explained, including filtering, passwords, and kerberos (cryptographic authentication scheme for secure use over public…

Discusses the Center for Electronic Records of the National Archives and Records Administration. Highlights include reference services and access; the Title List database (general access); descriptions and documentation (intermediate access); and copies of electronic records. (AEF)

Explores the development of the ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) dataset and the relationship between that dataset and the disparate services that have emerged as a result of the Internet and the Web. Discusses the technical infrastructure; database content; services and resources; creating a unified knowledge base; and metadata…

Describes DIALOG Web, DataStar Web, and highlights three other Knight-Ridder services: DIALOG Select, a service for high-tech, pharmaceutical, legal, consumer products, and media markets, KR@Site, which supports access to 80 databases, and DIALOG@CARL, which applies graphical interfaces to 300 DIALOG databases. Also includes interviews with…

Discusses the emerging need of users for bulk numerical, graphic, and textual information, and describes a range of tools available for information reduction and restructuring, and the conversion of data into information. Some of the tools described include graphics databases, hypertext applications, and search systems that utilize relationships,…

Describes the evolution of the Louisiana State University Digital Library, highlighting its differences from comparable tools at other institutions (a local database plus a framework designed for distribution and growth), content, and future plans. (PEN)

Describes seven activities that offer opportunities for entrepreneurs working with information: leveraging database information; customizing information; facilitating access to information; speeding up the flow of information; repackaging information; providing around the clock delivery; and integrating computer, telephone, and electronic funds…

Ten commonly held misconceptions about the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) information system are presented together with a brief discussion of the facts for each one. These factual responses provide the following overview of the ERIC system. ERIC is a national information system that includes 16 clearinghouses and four support…