Reports on a symposium that was held at Hofstra University (New York) in March 1996 on library systems in Russia and international cooperation. Topics include automation; the Russian National Public Library for Science and Technology; and the Russian-American Information, Library, and Analytical Center for interlibrary loan and online document…

Identifies library values affected by technology, including respect for and privacy of the individual, equality of user needs, and freedom of purpose and access. Fundamental changes that may result from technology are predicted in the areas of the library role, functions of staff, fees for services and document delivery, and costs of local and…

Three articles present responses to Summers' predictions of fundamental changes in libraries caused by the use of technology. The discussions cover the role of children's librarians in shaping future users and perceptions of libraries, the positive effects of technology on services to children and young adults, and the need to base library…

Describes TRESNET, a fully automated resource sharing network that provides an interlibrary loan and film booking system for the public libraries of seven counties and three municipalities in Ontario. The discussion covers the implementation and operation of the network and benefits being derived from it. (Author/CLB)

Describes the technical, political, economic, and cultural environments of library automation. A review is then presented of five books covering wide-ranging library automation themes, including practical experiences; planning second-generation library systems; software, systems, and services; new roles for librarians; and the national network…

This first of three consecutive articles examines trends for the future that emphasize libraries expanding their role in the community and individuals becoming more involved. Discusses the library as the community center for civic renewal, library as navigator, and library as coalition builder. Presents comments from librarians on reasons for and…

Discusses the impact of block scheduling on secondary school library media centers. Topics include the need for more resources to support larger class groups, library networking to meet information needs, planning with teachers, impact on library staff, impact on teachers and students, and the need for flexibility. (LRW)

Prior to 1997, the University of Oxford in Great Britain had approximately one hundred autonomous libraries with little coordination of services, collection development, or management among them. In that year a new director was hired with the mandate to integrate many of these libraries into one centralized system. Over the past seven years…

This manual provides a conceptual framework and reference source concerning the reporting, financial contractual, and auditing requirements for recipients of Texas State Library grants funded with state and federal funds under the Library Systems Act (LSA) and the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA). The handbook is divided into 12…

Recounts the difficulties of bringing together state and regional programs in a nationwide system. (Author)

Article investigated briefly both the historical developments, particularly in Britain, and the current trends towards using the latest technology in the rest of Europe. (Author/RK)

Designed by the library community and approved by the Maryland Advisory Council on Libraries, the Maryland Library Association, and the State Board of Education, this master plan establishes directions and targets for meeting the library needs of Maryland citizens for the next five years. The result of a series of formal and informal meetings of…

Intended to provide background information for a special advisory commission created by the state legislature to study the desirability of a state library networking system, this series of 12 papers prepared by the staff librarians of the Virginia State Library summarizes the workings of various network programs, techniques for implementing them,…

This report summarizes a survey of 198 libraries which had been identified as potential cable libraries which assessed: (1) to what extent a national satellite cable library network might already be in technical existence, (2) how many libraries are connected to cooperative cable companies with satellite hardware and excess receiver capacity, and…

This overview of the situation in library cooperation in the German Democratic Republic with regard to the legal fundamentals for library work emphasizes the role of the head offices of librarianship, which are responsible for the coordination and direction of development. The existing structure and networks (territorial and special) are also…