It is tempting to assume that we know what our parents, our community, and our employees want from our schools. It is comforting to think that we know what they support. It is also dangerous. This article encourages school systems to let go of assumptions and to start asking the important questions that will lead school boards and administrators…

Describes the World-Wide Web (WWW), a network information resource based on hypertext. How to access WWW browsers through remote login (telnet) or though free browser software, such as Mosaic, is provided. Eight information sources that can be accessed through the WWW are listed. The address of a listserv reporting on Internet developments is…

USENET is a system of special interest discussion groups called newsgroups, to which readers can send or post messages which are then distributed to other computers in the network. A common network is the Internet, but other networks may carry USENET as well. There are thousands of newsgroups, with a wide range of conversations on topics such as…

Two articles by librarians attending the IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) Conference in Moscow in August 1991 report on the attempted coup in the Soviet Union. The lack of locally available information is discussed, and the use of personal computers to access outside information sources is described. (LRW)

This report discusses the growth of the National Information Infrastructure (NII), or the information superhighway, and its implications for people with disabilities. Advantages for people with disabilities include: increasing the ability of individuals with some types of disabilities to access and use information; decreasing personal isolation…

Discussion of the rapid growth of information and information sources focuses on the role of librarians in promoting and providing literacy programs. Topics addressed include global views; effects of illiteracy; electronic computer networks; and the need for librarians to become more active, visible, and politically aware. (LRW)

Describes a multimethod approach used to evaluate the Government Information Locator Service (GILS). Highlights the limitations and opportunities of available approaches to evaluating complex characteristics of networked information services and digital collections. (Author/AEF)

Examines influences on the use of electronic information resources, including the Internet. Highlights include information quality and accessibility; the Technology Assessment Model; the Fitness for Purpose model; the Theory of Planned Behavior; and a study in Australia that compared the ability of these models to explain electronic information…

The Community Networking Initiative (CNI) seeks to increase participation of low-income, primarily African American, residents in a local community computer network. Examination of information exchange practices of CNI indicated that word-of-mouth exchanges with people in one's close social circle and contacts with community organizations appear…

Discusses the availability of virtual communities on the Internet. Stresses that there are online environments for nearly everyone, and offers advice for those designing new communities by relating experiences from the development of the specialized MediaMOO, a multiuser dungeon. Discusses restricting access, shaping development of the community,…

Compares issues in the commercialization of public information through wide area networks in the United States and Europe. Policy and legal questions, the public's right to access information, government copyright issues, the potential for public-private-sector synergy, and the need to standardize formats and pricing are discussed. (Contains 45…

Describes the Internet Hunt, a game designed to challenge and inform librarians about information sources available on the Internet. The use of telnet, and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) are described, and the results of the first Internet Hunt are provided. (EA)

Introduces the Educational Research List (ERL-L) in the BITNET/Internet network. How to subscribe to ERL-L is explained, and some other lists of interest to educational researchers are described. The future of network technology is projected, including virtual conferences on educational research. (SLD)

Reports on the results of a study of a community computing system, Prairienet. Examines characteristics of users and the extent to which Prairienet is serving its purpose as a community resource for networked communication and information access, through the analysis of usage patterns and logs. (Author/AEF)

Highlights Web sites of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. Well-known government publications, which are found in any traditional government documents reference collection, are noted and recommended for both bookmarking and local Web site development. Disadvantages of electronic access are also discussed. (Author/AEF)