Explores issues surrounding the development of Internet services for children in public libraries; discusses literature and literacy issues in relation to information and communication technology; and describes a Web site, developed in the United Kingdom, based on "Treasure Island," that could serve as a model for integrating technology…

Outlines the present status of library automation and networking in Australia and explores the issues arising when regional network operations consider their relationship to the national Australian Bibliographic Network: provision of services, standards, network technology, contractual arrangements, economics, and policy. Thirty-eight references…

Describes a project that examined the provision of library services starting with basic automation requirements. The discussion covers the possibilities of designing integrated systems using current technologies and software, and compares the situation in Nordic countries with the international situation. Recommendations are offered for planning…

Describes the development of the French Minitel videotex system and reports results of a survey of Internet users regarding the use of Minitel. Telecommunications and government involvement are discussed; business, political, cultural, and sociological perspectives are considered; Minitel use in libraries is reviewed; and expansion in the United…

Describes an approach to electronic document delivery which has evolved at Tilburg University (Netherlands), leading to the development of a system called Ariadne. Highlights include various generations of electronic document delivery systems; standards, including the work of the Group on Electronic Document Interchange; and a description of the…

Competent Internet-based library services can only be offered if appropriately qualified staff is available. To promote this development in Germany the Bertelsmann Foundation and its project partner, the ekz.bibliotheksservice GmbH are developing a special Web-based Training Course for Librarians. Progress to date is described. (Author)

Describes how the University of Central Lancashire (United Kingdom) makes electronic document delivery service available to remote users as part of the European Commission research project, BIBDEL ("Libraries Without Walls"). Details the resources deployed and the difficulties in doing so, including technical issues and costs. Management…

Describes the Pica Library Automation Network (originally the Project for Integrated Catalogue Automation), which is based on a centralized bibliographic database. Highlights include the Pica conception of library automation, online shared cataloging system, circulation control system, acquisition system, and online Dutch union catalog with…

Outlines the Follet Report, the United Kingdom's Electronic Libraries Programme, and the Focused Investigation of Document Delivery project, and describes document delivery research projects in the areas of resource sharing, network communication, scanning, and electronic delivery systems. Suggests that librarians reassess their roles, and calls…

Describes an Edinburgh-based research project that is exploring issues related to reference work in digital libraries, the role of reference librarians with remote access users, library networking, and collaborative reference work. User experiences and librarian work patterns are related to the design of a prototype Web-based network reference…

Describes the HELOS project in Denmark, which is using information technology to facilitate library development, increase levels of library and information services, and increase levels of technological qualifications of library staff among four rural libraries. The discussion highlights library and information services offered, hardware and…

This interview with Ian Winkworth explains the Hybrid Library of the Future (HyLife) project at the University of Northumbria (United Kingdom) that was developed to help achieve integrated access to combined electronic and printed library services. The focus of the project is not on the technology, but on the educational, social, and…

Describes Janet (the Joint Academic Network), a wide area network linking computers and users in the British academic community. Topics discussed include interactive working; file transfer; electronic mail; job transfer; and online access to library catalogs, bibliographic and numeric databases, and commercial online hosts in Great Britain or…

Summarizes the nature and status of videotex, and describes current applications by libraries and information centers, including community information dissemination and information retrieval from bibliographic databases. Prospective uses of videotex and library applications are discussed as well as problems to be overcome before effective videotex…

The Boehringer Mannheim Library (Germany) switched its loose-leaf pharmacopoeias from printed versions to electronic media. Discusses the decision-making and implementation process, and considers costs, technical requirements, availability of databases, user acceptance, installation, maintenance, and skills needed. Found that electronic media…