There is a growing interest in making available and making sense of the data on the Web and trapped in databases. Rather than a web of unstructured documents, full of information understandable only to humans, there is a movement whose intention is to make these data structured, reusable, machine-readable, and interrelated. This approach to Web…

Agroforestry (AF)/forestry is no longer an isolated field, with so many developmental activities having links with this sector, and thus the information required to be handled by the researchers all over the world has increased exponentially. This article discusses a website that was developed by the National Research Centre for Agroforestry…

The seven papers in these proceedings focus on the characteristics and potentials of non-bibliographic databases in the context of library and commercial networks. Following an introduction by Sandra K. Paul, this report presents the individual papers: (1) "User Perspectives and Requirements: Creator of Non-Bibliographic Databases Has To Share…

Surveys new developments in legal bibliographical documentation. Traces the development of database systems. Discusses the addition of personal computing to traditional information retrieval systems and the problems that this creates. Examines the most recent methods of information dissemination--the CD-ROM and Hypertext systems. (RW)

This 15-minute videotape introduces viewers to ERIC and emphasizes ERIC's connection to the electronic information highway. Topics covered include (1) the basic structure of the ERIC system, including the 16 subject-specialized clearinghouses; (2) benefits offered, including publications, the ERIC database, information quality, and the ERIC…

Describes the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), a national information network in the field of education. Printed indexes are explained as well as online searching of the ERIC database. Online searching is emphasized, including search strategies, database vendors, cost considerations, gateway services, and CD-ROM versions. (LRW)

Full-text services require more instruction and reference help than electronic bibliographic databases. To relieve pressure on reference staff, librarians at Pennsylvania State University developed weekly "Just-in-Time" demonstrations to help patrons learn how to use LEXIS-NEXIS. This article provides an overview of LEXIS-NEXIS and…

Outlines the features and drawbacks of Wide Area Information Servers (WAIS). Praises the ease of use for end users and the variety of documents and other information available, but cautions users about searching problems resulting from the use of relevance ranking schemes. Calls for greater librarian involvement. (EA)

Describes Janet (the Joint Academic Network), a wide area network linking computers and users in the British academic community. Topics discussed include interactive working; file transfer; electronic mail; job transfer; and online access to library catalogs, bibliographic and numeric databases, and commercial online hosts in Great Britain or…

Provides an overview and introduction to some of the most useful databases for art education and research. Notes that much art education research uses dissertations and theses. Discusses the content and use of several U.S., Australian, and British databases. (MJP)

Suggests ways in which the Internet can supplement traditional methods of professional development for librarians. Examples include electronic journals, discussion groups, electronic courses, electronic conferences, e-mail, networking, and coauthoring via the Internet. Services listed include Internet directories, education gophers, bibliographic…

This overview of the use of technology in Missouri libraries describes the statewide bibliographic union database; elementary and secondary school projects using the Internet; full-text magazine database; remote electronic access; state depository program for digitizing resources; networks; electronic publishing; interlibrary loan; public and…

Offers instructions and resources for Internet novices wanting to access Internet services. Instructions are offered for connecting to 13 education listservs, 9 electronic journals and newsletters, 3 education databases, 7 Telnet gopher sites, Veronica and Archie search tools, and File Transfer Protocol (FTP). (Contains 16 references.) (SLW)

REDUC is a cooperative network of some 23 associated centers in 17 Latin American and Caribbean countries. The REDUC coordinating center is located in Santiago, Chile. REDUC produces a bibliographic database containing analytical summaries (approximately 800 items annually) of the most important research studies and project descriptions in the…

Explores issues related to bibliographic database authority control, including the nature of standards, quality control, library cooperation, centralized and decentralized databases and authority control systems, and economic considerations. The implications of authority control for linking large scale databases are discussed. (18 references)…