Discusses electronic books and derives a comprehensive definition. Lists various types of e-books, their characteristics, pros and cons, and compares e-books reader hardware and software with their specifications and characteristics. Considers the publishing industry, impact on libraries, and digital rights management. (Author/LRW)

Discusses search and retrieval software for use with CD-ROM. Background trends, how data are made usable, supply and demand, data preparation services, and capabilities of search software are described. Vendors of significant information retrieval products are identified, and the characteristics of 12 packages are compared. (Author/EM)

Six prominent consultants consider the technical dimensions of retrospective conversion, the appropriate standards to employ, the proper relationship of conversion activities to the entire automation project, and several options available for converting a bibliographic database into machine-readable format: online or batch shared cataloging…