Formed in 1996, Internet2 is a not-for-profit advanced network consortium led by the U.S. research and higher education community. Its goals are to provide leading-edge network capabilities and to facilitate the development, deployment, and use of revolutionary Internet technologies. Starting with 34 universities, Internet2 has grown to more than…

Lifelong learning has emerged as a key to economic prosperity, social inclusiveness, and personal fulfilment. In an information age, libraries must address the needs of lifelong learners with basic services, focus on content, integrated access to resources, convergence of library and computing services, resource sharing, seamless integration of…

Rapidly developing online information technologies provide dramatically new capabilities and opportunities, and place new responsibilities on all involved to recreate networks for scholarly communication. Collaborations between all segments of the information network are made possible and necessary as we attempt to find a balanced and mutually…

Considers whether libraries are artifact-bound institutions and therefore will be replaced as the dominant technology for information communication moves from tangible objects to electronic bits on a network. Topics include what libraries are for; libraries as information subsidy; subsidies for networked information; and the digital library as…

Discussion of library reference services and the conflict between richness (complexity) of services and the reach (number of users that can be served) focuses on information technology that is used in electronic commerce and available on the Internet. Discusses changing roles of libraries and networked information environments. (Author/LRW)

Arguing that the foundation of a free civilization is an informed citizenry, this ERIC digest discusses the new challenges faced by the government and libraries in the wake of the Information Age. As electronic technology has accelerated the production and transmission of information, it has become more difficult for the average citizen to access,…

Examines the impact of information technology, the economics of information, and changing patterns of scholarly communication on the role of the academic library. Libraries are called upon to cooperate in building a national information network for scholarly communications based on existing bibliographic utilities and the developing academic…

A description of the campuswide computer system at Aston University (England) includes a profile of the institution, the information technology strategy adopted, a current local networking project, information technology development priorities for the near future, the role of the library and information service, and management and organizational…

Presents an overview of information infrastructure development in Latvia and discusses the role of the Latvian Academic Library. Describes Latvia's telecommunications, information network, data transmission, and electronic information services and reviews the types of electronic information sources that have been created. (Author/JMV)

Discusses worldwide developments and trends in information technology. Highlights include online databases versus CD-ROMs; audiotex and voice processing; fax information delivery; networks and gateway services; possibilities in eastern Europe; national information policies; effects of the creation of a single European market; and the role of…

Discussion of NREN (National Research and Education Network) focuses on balancing the needs of a wider user constituency with those of the more technical scientific community. The flow of information technology is discussed, including the roles of schools, universities, and libraries; and issues of government intervention and questions of funding…

Questions the wisdom of permitting visions of the electronic library to drive budgets and strategic planning. Social and economic realities limiting user access to information, new roles for librarians, and models that guide management of information resources and services by real librarians for real users are discussed. A proposed action agenda…

This summary report addresses the information needs of American citizens, institutions, schools, industry, and government within the context of three themes: literacy, democracy, and productivity. The report includes a preamble, which provides background information on the conference; discussions of the challenges posed by the Information Age in…

Considers the role of librarians in the networked information age. Topics include contributions of librarians to information technology, including bibliographic utilities, online database searching services, and public access to electronic information; future challenges, including controlling costs; considering community objectives; and the…

These conference proceedings address the key issues relating to the National Information Infrastructure, including social policy, cultural issues, government policy, and technological applications. The goal is to provide the knowledge and resources needed to conceptualize and think clearly about this topic. Proceedings include: "Opening…