Reference librarians at Georgia Institute of Technology provide computerized reference service through the Georgia Information Dissemination Center. (PF)

The activities of the Institute of Library Research (ILR) of the University of California (UC) are directed towards the objectives of education, research and public service. This report summarizes activities in six programs: (1) research, (2) aid to instruction through classroom instruction by staff members, on-line laboratory facilities and…

Discusses the need of developing countries to set up local databases and exchange information; outlines Unesco General Information Programme's role in this context; describes a specific Unesco program to help member states acquire and use microcomputer software; reviews criteria for software selection; and describes the program's implementation…

This study reviews changes brought about by advances in computer and telecommunications technology and describes online searching of sociological databases. Social changes affected by electronic technology are discussed, and speculations are made concerning the future effects of this technology. Also discussed are changes induced by recent…

More than 100 data banks are listed with notes indicating the sponsoring agency, the type of material stored, where available, and the number of references stored annually. Characteristics of data banks, types of storage, descriptions of devices, and storage organization are briefly discussed in the introduction. Indexes to the data banks listed…

Describes the general characteristics of Washington Electronic Bulletin Board Systems (WEBBS) used within federal agencies to disseminate data and software. Examples of six varieties of WEBBS (electronic mail, public announcement, electronic publishing, data oriented, library oriented, and subscription/membership) are discussed, as well as…

Recognizing that the fast-developing optical storage technologies provide a new dimension in publishing and information storage, retrieval, and distribution, this report examines the technical characteristics and capabilities of video and optical systems and the implications of this technology. The following aspects of optical disk systems are…

This paper evaluates major library automated systems in the Republic of China, explores their strengths and weaknesses, and provides suggestions for further consideration. Nine representative systems were selected for this purpose: the National Central Library Automated Information Service, Science and Technology Information Center of the National…

This compilation of abstracts provides brief descriptions of the 74 new public laws relating to computers and information policy that were enacted during the 95th Congress. Each of these bills is concerned with information, although the diverse subject matter--e.g., energy and clean water, food and health, foreign investments, ethics in…

The Library of Congress presents the history of its Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) system. Descriptions of MARC pilot projects and distribution services are followed by a discussion of several conversion projects undertaken by libraries in order to implement MARC. Then MARC's influence on standardization of formats for information interchange,…

The seven papers in this collection describe parliamentary library services and activities in both developed and developing countries: (1) "The Electronic Catalogue of the Library of the Deutscher Bundestag" (Ernst Kohl, West Germany); (2) "Library of the Assembly of the Republic: Modernization Efforts" (A. Cabral, Portugal);…

Official opening statements and papers on networking and the development of information technology which were presented at the 1982 International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) conference include: (1) opening speeches by Else Granheim (IFLA president) and Kenneth H. Rogers (UNESCO Representative); (2) "The Importance of Networks…

Libraries are becoming information access points, not just book repositories. With greater distribution of printed materials, increased use of optical disks and other compact storage techniques, the emergence of publication on demand, and the proliferation of electronic databases, libraries without large collections will be able to provide prompt…