The National Library of Portugal undertook a leadership role in the development of the Portuguese Bibliographic database (PORBASE). The National Library defined cataloging standards and circulated them to Portuguese libraries to create a national catalog. PORBASE is a work in progress with ongoing technical projects and collaboration in the…

Describes common characteristics of learning-disabled persons, proposes strategies for library reference assistance to children and adults, and describes the approach of the Westchester Library System in New York State. Questions are proposed for further thought, discussion, and action. (nine references) (EAM)

Assesses the changes in interlibrary loan (ILL) practices, and points the way to an ideal future. Discusses patron-initiated document request systems; library-mediated ordering systems; document delivery suppliers; accessing electronic resources; ILL management software; paying ILL invoices; new electronic delivery options; and results of a…

Analyzes public policy and political issues that affect Indiana's library information services. Reviews the effects of these issues on Indiana's single statewide network created via a massive voluntary restructuring partnership between the Indiana State Library and 10 independent Library Service Authorities. An appendix presents Indiana's plan for…

Explains the development of library networks in Florida and the role of the state library. Topics include regional multitype library consortia; a statewide bibliographic database; interlibrary loan; Internet access in public libraries; government information, including remote public access; automation projects; telecommunications; and free-nets.…

Describes Virginia's statewide and community electronic resource access projects, including the Blacksburg Electronic Village, connected with Virginia Tech and the Internet; a public education network; a consortium of college and university libraries; the state library's digital initiative; and a cooperative library network. (LRW)

Site-visit reports for 12 correctional facilities libraries are summarized using the headings of the Policy Directive for Institutional Library Services, and centering only on the general libraries. Libraries studied are categorized as either adequate, minimum but functional, or inadequate. Observations and specific recommendations are presented…

Initially prepared for use by teams of state library agency and library-media and information science association and education program representatives participating in the 1979-1980 CLENE/USOE Institute, "Statewide Systems of Continuing Education: New Directions," this paper was revised to expand its potential use beyond participating states. It…

Papers on interlibrary loan and document delivery presented at the 1986 IFLA general conference include: (1) "Preservation and/or Availability of Older Literature--an Approach to the Problems, Needs, and Solutions" (Klaus-Dieter Lehmann, West Germany); (2) "From Decentralization to Centralization--Document Delivery in France in…

These papers discuss various options for a computerized national bibliographic network and highlight the problems and potential of developing such a database. Following a brief explanation of the conference purpose and organization, 10 primary papers are presented: (1) "A Brief Overview of Computerized Library Networking in Canada," by…

Noting that the primary function of electronic mail within research libraries has changed from interlibrary loan to administrative purposes in the last four years, this kit begins with an overview of the results of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) surveys of the use of electronic mail (e-mail) in member libraries conducted in 1984 and 1988.…

This paper describes the state of library resource networks in Canada, raises issues that must be faced by the Resource Network Committee of the National Library Advisory Board, and outlines some of the resource sharing measures and experimental projects undertaken by the National Library of Canada, the Canadian Book Exchange Centre, and other…

The Mountain-Valley Library System (MVLS), a cooperative of 19 public and academic libraries in nine northern California counties, performed a cost study of its interlibrary delivery system during fall, 1977. This report discusses the results of item count for all 62,000 materials handled in the system during a two-month sample period and projects…

This paper focuses on cataloging and classification, which are the most time consuming of library operations, requiring highly trained staff and involving considerable expense, to provide an overview of the concepts and considerations for centralized cataloging and interlibrary loans. Centralized cataloging is defined as a cooperative arrangement…

This report of an investigation of the legal, fiscal, and structural issues confronting New Jersey's public libraries contains 30 recommendations that address the various problems and needs revealed by the study. Chapters discuss the challenges facing libraries in New Jersey, the funding of local libraries, the delivery of local library services,…