Describes a project at the National Library of Medicine that investigated the development of an expert system to assist catalogers with personal name authority work. Topics include project planning; software and hardware selection; knowledge engineering; and reasons for discontinuing the development of the expert system. (three references) (LRW)

Discusses the use of barcoding as a method for measuring the frequency-of-use patterns of the bound journal collection at Northern Illinois University. Highlights include a team approach to planning; collection development; collection maintenance; hardware and software; and technological, economic, organizational, and political implications. (27…

Provides librarians who are responsible for implementing a new school library with an overview of the process. Topics include ordering circulating and reference books; computer hardware and software; supplies and other miscellaneous items, including other media formats such as videotapes; furniture and shelving; and a time line for planning. (LRW)

Provides a checklist of concerns for libraries planning to implement shared research databases in a consortium environment, based on experiences at OhioLINK. Highlights include database selection criteria, licensing, pricing, funding, vendor considerations, database profiling, custom data processing, hardware selection, database access,…

Explains procedures for installing a CD-ROM local area network (LAN) using Novell NetWare as the network operating system and SCSI Express to support networking CD-ROMs, based on experiences at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater library. Topics discussed include planning, equipment selection, workstation configuration, installation, and…

Discusses issues that school librarians need to consider when updating and automating their libraries based on examples of experiences in several high schools. Topics addressed include planning; problems; needs assessment; software compatibility and selection; CD-ROMs; and training needs. (LRW)

Discussion of planning for automation in school libraries focuses on plans in the North Kitsap (Washington) School District. Highlights include selection of microcomputer-based hardware and software to support local area and wide area networks; a circulation system and an online public access catalog (OPAC); and database creation and retrospective…