Describes the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) professional-development program that is designed to provide institutional teams of librarians and information technologists with the tools they need to work collaboratively on projects of mutual interest and need. A workshop is described and future development is considered. (Author/LRW)

Describes the conflict between using marketplace power to determine the cost of accessing information, and the public interest, and argues that a social policy is needed to guide the information age. It is noted that such a policy would incorporate such components as human needs, computer literacy, universality, and self-determination. (20…

Includes two articles that discuss science fiction and future possibilities in information technology: "'Jurassic Park' and Al Jolson: Thinking about the Information Revolution" (Connie Willis) and "The Good and the Bad: Outlines of Tomorrow" (David Brin). (LRW)

The first of two articles on MELVYL, the University of California's online library system, discusses the next generation of public access information retrieval systems for research libraries based on lessons learned from 10 years of MELVYL. The second article considers MELVYL in the larger context of the University of California's information…

Reviews key developments in information technologies, and describes the possible convergence of these developments in the creation of a new publishing and communication medium. The impact of this technology on the organization and role of libraries is discussed. (4 references) (CLB)

This special issue contains 12 articles written by science fiction authors and futurists who present imaginative visions of communication technologies that impact on daily life. Topics address redefinition of the library, legal aspects of regulation and censorship of the Internet, and various ideological and intellectual ideas about technology…

Discusses academic library consortia, examines types of consortia, and presents three case histories (OhioLINK, PALCI and CIC). Highlights include economic competition; changes in information access and delivery; growth of information technology; quality improvement; and future strategies, including pricing models for electronic information,…

Explores the impact of electronic networking on social evolution, new notions of literacy, and social equity. Strategies to develop the Internet/NREN as a vehicle for reconnecting segments of society and promoting a network-literate population are needed. The role of libraries and the educational community in accomplishing these objectives must be…