The explosion of information and the popularity of the Internet and commercial search engines have required librarians to take a fresh look at their profession. The overwhelming amount of information now available has brought new demands and expectations. The need to bring information to the remote user has encouraged the creation of many…

Discusses the general benefits of library networking in terms of selection, acquisition, organization, storage of and access to information, and the specific benefits of and barriers to special library networks. Examples of networking by special librarians are given, and suggestions are made for special librarians wishing to participate in formal…

Argues that reference services will not only survive changes brought about by new technologies, but will be improved and enhanced as a result. Examples given include online public access catalogs, automated record-keeping operations, CD-ROM as an information storage medium, the continuing need for intermediaries in online searching, and copyright…

This report on some of the strategic planning decisions that OCLC has made for the 21st century begins by describing the evolution of OCLC from a pioneer in the computer revolution with its Online Union Catalog and Shared Cataloging System in 1971 to a system that currently has nearly 60 distinct offerings. Corresponding computer and…

Discussion of the use of academic libraries by public borrowers focuses on policies developed at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Highlights include library networks and identity problems; access to materials; fee-based reference services; and requiring patrons to register a credit card to be used for replacement materials and fines. (LRW)

An important part of reference services is the quality of print and electronic resources; information needs and behaviors of humanists must be considered as tools are designed for the humanities. Reviews studies of the research habits of humanists; discusses work habits, library use, design of access and indexing systems, and electronic resources.…

Beginning this annual report is a letter to the OCLC membership from OCLC President and Chief Executive Officer, K. Wayne Smith. Statistical data are then presented in tables and/or graphs for OCLC programs and the system's financial status for fiscal years 1990/91 and 1989/90; the growth of the OCLC Online Union Catalog from 1971-1991 in terms of…

The Michigan Community Health Electronic Library (MCHEL) serves the public health and other community health workers in Michigan. It is committed to desktop delivery of the best health information to its primary clientele, with as much as possible in digital full-text form. It collaborates with other libraries in the state to make this possible.…

OhioLINK (Ohio Library and Information Network) is transforming library and information access at 35 universities and colleges in Ohio. Document delivery, resource sharing, collection development, and reference and research database access are all undergoing rapid evolution and expansion. This model can be put into operation at other consortia.…

Wisconsin's Interlibrary Library Loan Task Force was created in 1994 to identify and discuss effective patterns and methods of sharing resources among libraries of all types in Wisconsin and to determine the direction that different organizational levels should take in resource sharing, and to evaluate existing state-wide resource-sharing…

Five articles about library cooperation discuss: statewide tiered reference services in California; sharing costs and increasing access through the Washington State Library's database licensing project; the Washington State Cooperative Library Project; FIND-IT! Washington, a World Wide Web site for locating government information; and the impact…

This plan describes the status of multi-library cooperation and resource sharing in Idaho and outlines possible ways of developing an infrastructure which supports those activities. The end result will be regional multi-type library organizations with well-developed governance structures which support resource sharing activities locally,…