This report is one in a series from the Council on Library and Information Resources that explores the issues and problems that institutions must address when undertaking digital conversion projects. The focus of this report is on projects that mean to provide widespread access over the Internet to large historical pictorial collections, using an…

Discusses the growing importance of machine readable data files (MRDFs) as library reference tools, and describes the policies and services for MRDFs developed at the University of Florida libraries. Guidelines to selecting, acquiring, and planning for MRDFs are appended, along with examples of ERIC records for MRDFs. (four references) (CLB)

In the first of two articles, William Potter discusses the drawbacks and opportunities presented by advances in technology, including budgeting for online access, dealing with publishers and producers, and relating to computing centers. In the second, Paul Metz discusses collection development in academic libraries with emphasis on new electronic…

Electronic journals are both a blessing and a curse for libraries. To be meaningful in the current information environment--to meet users' ever-increasing demands--libraries must acquire as many appropriate full text resources as possible, as quickly as possible, and make them easy to use. This Digest provides tips for acquiring and providing…

Identifies the main costs in on-site and off-site (remote electronic publications) public library collections and specifies the main challenges in an on-site/off-site collection strategy. Presents a costs identification table, table of direct costs, and costs and user-levels table. Considers cost trends and discusses advantages and disadvantages…

Annual high school media center expenditures in Georgia were analyzed to determine what portions of the budget were being spent on print, non-print, and technology resources by high school media specialists. A 5-part 13-item questionnaire was developed as a data-gathering instrument. The questionnaire was distributed to all high school media…

This videotape provides a general overview of the kinds of services and materials available at the public library. The videotape can be used as part of a general orientation program for volunteers, new users, or community groups. Topics covered include: the information desk and reference services; the Dewey Decimal System and how to locate books…