Describes plans by the Council of Great Lakes Governors, which includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio, to develop an information highway linking state governments, computer and research networks, telecommunications providers, and universities. Highlights include the Internet,…

Describes a statewide demonstration project at the University of Illinois at Chicago to provide consumer health information to public libraries and clinics using InfoTrac's Health Reference Center CD-ROM database. Highlights include system specifications for the client-server network, planned enhancements, and preliminary evaluation results. (LRW)

Offers a new approach to evaluating reference librarians, as well as a new standard of evaluation based on a study of exemplary reference librarians that was conducted via electronic networks. Characteristics of exemplary reference librarians relating to attitude, professional skills, and interpersonal skills are described. (Contains 28…

Discusses the availability of computer conferences on the Internet and their practical benefits to librarians, including problem solving, sharing employment information, conducting surveys, discussing new products and services, and announcing conferences and meetings. (two references) (EA)

This annual report includes the Illinois State Library Mission and guiding principles for Illinois libraries; reading and literacy initiatives; library system developments; expanded access to timely information, including networks; governmental library services; special publications; and the budget. (LRW)

Discusses the development of a national information superhighway. Highlights include the National Information Infrastructure; NREN (National Research and Education Network); private networks, including Prodigy; repositioning in the telecommunications industry, including telephone, cable, and entertainment companies; government regulations;…

Describes the planning process and discusses important issues impacting the design of a new library building at DePaul University, Illinois. Planning for the changing demands of students, curricula, and information technology is discussed and samples from the planning document are included. (EA)

Discusses technical advances that affect the delivery of electronic versions of world literature to libraries. Topics include the creation and dissemination of electronic text and the use of extended character codes and markup language to preserve the form and structure of printed text. (13 references) (KRN)

With the 1996 defeat of the Communications Decency Act, under which providing offensive material on computer systems accessible to children would have become a felony, no legal guidelines exist for library use of the Internet. Libraries can avoid becoming the center of an Internet controversy by encouraging parental involvement; by protecting…

Description of library services in Illinois focuses on school libraries and youth services. Topics discussed include multitype library systems; automation; youth services consultants; data collection for youth services; resource sharing for schools; promotion of reading and library programs; communications networks; and standards and certification…

Describes the impact of the Illinois State Library's Interlibrary Cooperation Project on school libraries. Interlibrary loan benefits for both students and teachers are discussed; reference backup and consulting services are described; and other advantages, including continuing education opportunities and access to audiovisual materials, are…

Provides an overview of computer networking and discusses three general applications--communications, remote access, and file transfer--and their benefits to library services. Outlines three problems librarians face--economic and technological access, training, and the challenge of participative development of the Internet. (14 references/notes)…