In a scant three years at ProQuest, Marty Kahn, CEO, has moved a company coming out of a financial morass back onto solid ground. He came on board after the purchase of ProQuest Information and Learning by the (mostly) privately owned Cambridge Information Group in late 2006 and the merger of ProQuest and CSA to form ProQuest CSA. (It's now just…

The burgeoning consumer-tech market is creating new challenges for higher education IT departments. As increased expectations of mobility and connectivity have students and faculty looking to consumer technology to meet their academic needs, IT must revamp operations and infrastructure to meet the demand, while keeping security risks and budgets…

Since the early 1990s, Carl Malamud has made it his business to return to the public what is rightfully theirs: free access to public information. Despite legislation that mandates such access to government information, some categories of information have been excluded, notable among them court opinions (with the exception of the U.S. Supreme…

It has been over a decade since the computer moved from being primarily a computational and record keeping device to its present state as a communications hub. Some, including this author, have called the application of computing technology to classroom instruction revolutionary. Is this claim justified? More importantly, how will social…

Twitter provides rapid information in a short form, and it is extremely easy to follow the updates of others because of myriad software applications with which it works on both mobile devices and traditional computing hardware. Currently, most academic librarians are using Twitter primarily as a tool at library conferences and seminars to capture…

Considers the use of nonbibliographic databases, also known as source files, as an information service supplied to library users and notes commercially produced databases, brokerage firms offering a variety of small databases, community resource files, differences between use of bibliographic and non-bibliographic databases including fees, and…

This examination of the major pricing mechanisms in use by online services discusses the pros and cons of each, including connect hour, type charge, subscription charges, per search charges, computer resource charges, database resource charges, and combinations of above. Pricing practices at Mead Data Central are noted. (EJS)

Topics of importance to rural America in three general areas--rural community and individual information needs, available answers to these needs, and policies and strategies to meet these needs--were addressed in a joint congressional hearing held at the Fourth General Assembly of the World Future Society in July 1982. This transcript presents…

Examines some of the issues that public libraries have had to deal with in delineating and pursuing as a specific organizational goal the provision of access to information. The perspective adopted is historical but not strictly chronological. Thirty-six references are listed. (Author/LLS)

Discusses the applications of online systems and other computerized systems in public library information and referral (I&R) services. A number of specific examples are presented and computer equipment and software relevant to I&R services are listed in two tables. A 10-item reference list and an appendix of I&R projects are attached. (JL)

There is a distinction to be made between knowledge and information. Knowledge is orderly and cumulative; information is random and miscellaneous and may be collected simply because it is there. The information industry is flourishing, but knowledge institutions--colleges, universities, and libraries--go begging. The knowledge industry is actually…

Discusses role of extranational consultants in development of information services in Third World countries. The definition of a consultant, recruitment and employment, and the consulting process are highlighted. Criteria of the American Library Association, International Relations Committee for Selection of Consultants to serve abroad are…

Discusses the ways in which the commercial sector can support traditional library services and create innovative products and services to meet future information needs. Eight references are cited. (FM)

Presents an overview of the White House Conference and its importance to all librarians, noting that it is a chance to examine the individual's information needs and to redefine the role of libraries and information services. (Author/CMV)

Holds that more efficient scientific research can be expected if information systems provide information management for researchers, employing specialists with training in the selection, organization, and use of reference materials. Twenty-three references are listed. (FM)