ZERO TO THREE's parenting survey, Parenting Infants and Toddlers Today (Hart Research Associates, 2010) revealed a number of interesting findings that provided useful insights into how professionals can better support parents and other caregivers. The insights from the survey provided an opportunity for ZERO TO THREE to develop new resources to…

Describes the activities at the annual meeting of the Medical Library Association, including adoption of a strategic plan for the association and discussions of access to health care information, the impact of information technologies, and medical ethics. (CLB)

Public discourse on the pedagogical uses of information technology runs the gamut from utopian to apocalyptic. Two ideologies in particular have received much attention. The first, restructuralism, calls for radically restructuring postsecondary institutions from the ground up to respond effectively to social, demographic, and economic changes in…

Several ways in which colleges and universities without direct access to the Internet can make use of its services are offered, including establishing an account with a commercial vendor, using inexpensive local providers, and connecting through nearby campuses. (MSE)

The conceptual basis for structured data architecture, and its integration with open systems technology at Indiana University, are described. Key strategic goals guiding these efforts are discussed: commitment to improved data access; migration to relational database technology, and deployment of a high-speed, multiprotocol network; and…

Reviews the emergence of lobbies, both from within and outside the library profession, that argue for a fee based approach to the delivery of information, and explores the possible effects of this policy on the role of libraries and equal access to knowledge. (Author/CLB)

A pilot project at the Medical College of Wisconsin illustrates how even small computing organizations with limited financial and staff resources can provide remote access to CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read-Only-Memory) databases, and that providing such convenient access to a vast array of useful information can greatly benefit faculty and students.…

Collaboration between professions or disciplines or across distances is discussed. A definition of collaboration is offered, processes and factors making collaboration difficult are identified, and two features of networked communication (access equalization and social equalization) that are important to collaboration are examined. (Author/MSE)

The U.S. government has tackled many problems which have plagued its effectiveness and efficiency to serve its citizens with technology solutions. Electronic government, or e-Government, is the expression used to describe how the U.S. government attempts to increase productivity and reduce costs by using Internet-based technology. More…

Describes the security issues Bluestem, a Web authentication and access control system under development at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is designed to resolve. Provides an overview of how Bluestem works and details how Bluestem is currently being used to control end-user access to bibliographic resources licensed by the…

The University of Delaware developed an intelligent mail server to provide easy, inexpensive access to institutional information for faculty, staff, and students on any node, machine, or operating system on the campuswide computing network. Security concerns have been addressed. The small investment has returned immediate benefits. (MSE)

A discussion of Boston College's system allowing students to display and print their campus records at automated teller machines (ATMs) around the institution looks at the system's evolution, current operations, human factors affecting system design and operation, shared responsibility, campus acceptance, future enhancements, and cost…

The approach taken by Baylor University (Texas) to developing a campuswide information system focuses on better use of existing resources to expand information access to nonproduction users. Guiding principles include carefully selecting target workstations, using "information-harvesting" tools, testing prototypes, creating derivative…

Explores the social impacts of technological change on the library and the library profession as social institutions, the library as an organization, and librarians as professionals. The effects of automation on the library's role in providing public access to information, library management, professional status, and the work environment are also…

San Joaquin Delta Community College has created a graphic, electronic office environment called "Virtual Desk" to operate on employees' desktops. It is a front end to the computer network depicting a desk on which are mounted a calculator, spreadsheet, notepad, calendar, word processor, electronic mail, and file drawers and bookshelves.…