As educational and research needs have changed, libraries have changed as well. They must meet ever-increasing demand for access to online media, subscriptions to archives, video, audio, and other content. The way a user/patron accesses this information has also changed. Gone are the days of a few hardwired desktops or computer carts. While…

Discussion of the concept of a virtual library focuses on the needs of the user. Topics addressed include searching remote library catalogs and databases; the availability of information through the Internet and other networks; and the expertise needed by library staff to instruct and assist users. (11 references) (LRW)

Intended for use by the delegates to the second White House Conference on Library and Information Services (WHCLIS2), this issue briefing book contains national issues which have been identified at the governors' pre-White House conferences in the various states and territories. The issues have been assigned to 10 topical areas--Access,…

Discussion of CD-ROM as an alternative to online searching for academic libraries focuses on a comparison between online and CD-ROM costs at the University of Natal (South Africa) library. Other factors examined include funding methods; user fees; staff involvement; user training; user access, including search intermediaries and networking; and…

Presents security procedures for protecting a library's computer system from potential threats by patrons or personnel, and describes how security can be breached. A sidebar identifies four areas of concern in security management: the hardware, the operating system, the network, and the user interface. A selected bibliography of sources on…

Discusses Oregon library automation projects, including Internet connectivity and a statewide multitype library network; a bibliographic information system with college and university libraries, including a union catalog; a Portland Area Library System that connects multitype libraries; and library staff training for the Internet. (LRW)

"Intranets"--web sites written and used internally by organizations--are being developed as a means of enhancing communication, improving productivity, and reducing costs. The University Library at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is in the early stages of developing an Intranet. Considerations that led the library to establish an…

The new library at Eastern Michigan University provided Learning Resources and Technologies (LR&T) with an opportunity to restructure its services and fully integrate technologies and technology services for the 21st century. Challenges facing LR&T include the need to reallocate and/or reclassify staff positions, extend the campus network…

This report presents the proceedings from a meeting jointly organized by United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Yugoslavian Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO). Experts from 14 institutions and organizations from 7 countries of Africa, Europe, and North America participated in 4…

Job advertisements listed in "American Libraries" and "Library Hotline" from January 1993 to January 1997 and archived through the Hypertext Archives for LIBJOBS from August 1995 to January 1997 were examined to determine the job opportunities and qualifications for systems librarians. The job opportunities were analyzed in…

This report contains data on state library agencies in the 50 states and the District of Columbia for state fiscal year 1996. The data were collected through the State Library Agencies (STLA) Survey, the product of a cooperative effort between the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies, the United States National Commission on Libraries and…

Considers the need for staff training in virtual libraries. Highlights include instruction and training, including in-house training, vendor contracts, and self-paced instruction; documentation; current awareness via professional literature, electronic discussions, bibliographies, and conferences; information filtering through selective…

Discusses changes in the role of collection development staff based upon emerging library networking technologies. Addresses the role of library collections, book selection theories, and networked electronic resources in library collection development. Presents eight ways networked resources will change the procedures of library collection…

Discusses the use of the Internet for ready reference and considers limitations, reference policy, and cost issues. Highlights include general reference sources; database searching on the Internet; Gopher; bibliographic control and access to Internet resources; personnel issues; and levels of service. (Contains 30 references.) (LRW)

Describes the experiences of Documents Center staff at the University of Michigan Library in maintaining an information service, namely the Department of Commerce Economic Data gopher. Topics include how the service evolved, logistics of obtaining and posting files, developing staff skills, and file selection. Provision of enhanced access and…