Describes changes in reference services in academic libraries prompted by new electronic formats and services. Four main areas are discussed: (1) changes in the philosophy of reference services and the types of reference services offered; (2) accessing reference services, including greater direct access by patrons; (3) physical configurations of…

Discusses the changing role of libraries as advances in information technology are made and describes projects that involve Digital Equipment Corporation. Highlights include changes in vendor products, services, and alliances; meeting user needs; statewide networks; Sonoma Internet Library Access Software; electronic libraries; open computing;…

Discusses possible technical services functions in electronic libraries of the future. Highlights include acquisition of electronic information; bibliographic control, including MARC format, bibliographic utilities, subject headings, and classification; systems planning, development, and evaluation; systems support; organization of technical…

Describes research and development of the Mercury Electronic Library Project, which was developed at Carnegie Mellon University Libraries to design an advanced retrieval system. Topics discussed include system architecture; security; performance, including automated and manual assessments; enhanced retrieval, including available databases;…