Describes a contract between the reference service of a library system in Illinois and a commercial supplier of information in Berkeley, California, to provide the answers to 200 reference questions for a flat rate of $6000. The contract, considered the first of its kind, successfully relieved a current reference overload. (RAA)

Traces the development of online library networks through published literature, noting the existence of conditions necessary for successful networking and characteristics of the literature, and includes a bibliography of works cited. (CWM)

As the use of information and the means to find it change due to computer and communication network technology and the advancement of online computer searching, abstracting and indexing services must decide which information services they intend to supply. (CWM)

Describes current online technology, including the physical and functional aspects of three types of networks: search service, customized service providing bibliographic files, and service center. (FM)

Summarizes the history and major activities of the Foundation Library Committee, created in 1975 to coordinate grants from major foundations so that they best assist library development. The Committee's role in aiding the Research Libraries Group in development of its network is discussed. (SW)

Eight articles describe the development, content, and structure of databases outside of the United States. Features discussed include library involvement, authority control, shared cataloging services, union catalogs, thesauri, abstracts, and distribution methods. Countries and areas represented are Latin America, Australia, the United Kingdom,…

Describes the emergence of resource center forums (i.e., popular information networks) in South Africa in the 1980s and 1990s. Background and objectives are summarized for the Transkei Fieldworkers' network, Natal Resource Centre Forum, Cape Inter-Resource Forum, Transvaal Resource Centre Network, Sekhukhuneland Educational Projects forum, and…

This paper describes playback equipment provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped's Talking Books program. The history of these machines is reviewed from 1933 to the present and includes activities during World War II, the introduction of flexible discs and cassettes, descriptions of a variety of machines…

Networking, i.e., two or more libraries and/or organizations engaged in common problems of information exchange for functional purposes, is viewed in terms of the human aspects, the impact of technology, and the forced alliance with other fields. Projects in Tasmania relating to networking of administrative services for the public education system…

Summarizing the methods currently being employed at the Ohio College Library Center (OCLC) for user interaction analysis, this study presents suggestions and provides examples for the use of audit trail data available from most online interactive systems. The sample data used in the analysis are from the OCLC online system used for cataloging,…

In the Great Lakes Cutover Region, comprising the upper third of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, there are 13 state colleges and universities that have evolved from normal schools into multi-purpose institutions with booming undergraduate enrollments and rapidly growing graduate programs. These institutions are situated at a great distance…

The development of special-purpose information products for clients of the LEADERMART information retrieval system is described. (9 references) (RS)

This overview of the development of a system of library services for the blind in one union republic of the USSR describes the centralized network of special libraries which serve as the focal point of systems providing services at the regional and local levels, and suggests some possible future developments. (RAA)

Reviews the development of a fault tolerant database processor system which replaced OCLC's conventional file system. A general introduction to database management systems and the operating environment is followed by a description of the hardware selection, software processes, and system characteristics. (SW)

Considers the problem of predicting monthly demands for library network services, especially the use of forecasts as inputs to policy analysis models and as aids to budgeting and staffing decisions. Several forecasting methods are discussed. (FM)