There is opportunity for service and profit to imaginative libraries organizing to provide new forms of knowledge. Librarians as entrepreneurs must learn venture management and finance. Available assistance includes growing entrepreneural understanding in large institutions; family and friends; private wealth-seeking investment; new business…

Discussion of the diffusion of information technology focuses on telecommunications in developing countries, television systems, and personal computers. Examples and statistics from the United States and other countries are provided. (eight references) (MES)

Examines the development of electronic books and traditional libraries in relation to the history of books and publishing. An ongoing project is described that is developing two forms of electronic books: hyper-books (built from paper books) and visual-books (built from electronic texts). (22 references) (EAM)

Considers three-dimensional impact of future information society on libraries--diffusion of information technology (library automation, electronic bibliographic control, remote access to library); transformation of societal systems (appearance of information literacy educational system, intelligence infrastructure); and changing human needs (goal…

Discusses four megatrends from John Naisbitt's book--"Megatrends"--which have particular relevance to the electronic library: shift from industrial to information society; need to balance high-tech with high-touch; focus on self-help over institutional help; and change in organizational structures from pyramid hierarchies to networks.…

Proposes a personal information management technology called Memex-TV that might develop from advances in entertainment technology. Topics addressed include capabilities of the new system, system design, the scenario for development of Memex-TV as an entertainment technology spin-off, current entertainment technology trends, a typical evening with…

Discussion of electronic books utilizing CD-ROM technology presents a taxonomy that contains 10 classes of electronic books. Development models, design techniques, and access stations are discussed; and several examples of electronic books, including encyclopedias, information dissemination/retrieval services, educational products, and a thesis…

Describes developments in the United Kingdom's Royal Society of Chemistry's Library and Information Centre that has changed from a professional and learned society library into a business center. Development of a priced information service, electronic sources of information including online databases and the Internet, and marketing and promotion…

Describes the development of the French Minitel videotex system and reports results of a survey of Internet users regarding the use of Minitel. Telecommunications and government involvement are discussed; business, political, cultural, and sociological perspectives are considered; Minitel use in libraries is reviewed; and expansion in the United…

Describes the development of satellite television and information access in Australia, principally within Australian higher education institutions. Client groups and basic technologies are overviewed as well as the role of the library in the provision of satellite services. (Six references) (Author/CLB)

Vision 2008, a gathering of technology and library experts, was an unprecedented industry think-tank developed by 3M Library Systems as a means by which the future of libraries could be projected. Participants worked together to map out a best scenario for libraries of the future. Creative thinking and cooperative working were two ideas that the…

An investigation of 133 job advertisements for systems librarians in "American Libraries" in 1996-1997 was conducted. Results show that although systems librarians in different types of libraries may play different roles and have different emphases in their duties, the responsibility and knowledge requirements for them are generally…

Suggests that if librarians and libraries are to continue to fulfill their true tasks, they need to adapt to changes resulting from new technology and overcome the professional paralysis that has made most major libraries largely unusable. Problems of size, arrangement, and catalogs are identified as contributors to unusable library. (EJS)

Outlines the Follet Report, the United Kingdom's Electronic Libraries Programme, and the Focused Investigation of Document Delivery project, and describes document delivery research projects in the areas of resource sharing, network communication, scanning, and electronic delivery systems. Suggests that librarians reassess their roles, and calls…

Describes an Edinburgh-based research project that is exploring issues related to reference work in digital libraries, the role of reference librarians with remote access users, library networking, and collaborative reference work. User experiences and librarian work patterns are related to the design of a prototype Web-based network reference…