Considers how four historical events have influenced the world for information professionals and the view these events offer of the future: (1) invention of the Gutenberg printing press; (2) invention of the transistor; (3) success of the railroad; and (4) a statement by John Cotton Dana, first president of the Special Libraries Association. (9…

Presents a model for predicting and shaping the impact of information technologies on libraries and the library role which is based on the effects of computerization in various business applications. The library network at AT&T Bell Laboratories is described as an example of a successful implementation of the model. (CLB)

Examines the impact of electronic communications systems on library networking, using such examples as interlibrary loans and union catalogs to illustrate the effects of telecommunications on library services. The need for strict adherence to library standards in order to ensure continued library cooperation is discussed. (CLB)

Examines the potential of libraries and information technology as resources available to those who must plan for and deal with emergency situations. Information support for decision making, a range of types of disasters, alternative uses of advanced information technology, and articles by librarians on emergency management are discussed.…

Describes a study that examined problems encountered by geoscientists in retrieving and processing information. The results reported include judged importance of information sources, modes of information seeking, interest in end-user searching, opinions of foreign language literature, variations in information seeking patterns, and constraints set…