As the need for digital content increases almost daily, preserving this content for university libraries, especially in the least developed and developing nations, becomes a challenge, resulting in the loss of this data. Even though most of these libraries are automated and adopt one digital preservation strategy or the other, library users need…

Presents 101 variables for use in developing a microcomputing profile and determining the type of microcomputing management appropriate for a library. Variables are presented in 16 categories, including the larger institutional, library, and financial profiles; administration's stance on microcomputing; user profiles; training and support for…

This study addressed, within the context of Australian public libraries, how people with disabilities can more easily share in the new world of instant information and communication offered by the Internet. Eight public libraries from Victoria and one from Wagga Wagga participated. The sample consisted of 85 adults with a variety of physical and…

The terms "virtual library,""digital library," and "electronic library" have received growing attention among professional librarians, researchers, and users of information over the past decade. The confluence of exploding sources of data, expanding technical capability, and constrained time and money will quickly move these concepts from…

Describes the University of Washington Digital Libraries Initiative that provides the context for effective collaboration among faculty, engineers, students, and librarians for the creation, use, and investigation of electronic information services, resources, and systems developed from a users' perspective. Also explains an image-archiving…

Describes Vannevar Bush's vision of memex, a mechanized private file and library, and suggests that the ability of users to download library online catalogs and manage the information on personal computers will realize Bush's vision. Current software packages are described, and the possible implications for libraries are explored. (CLB)

Description of the development of the Information Exchange Facility, a prototype microcomputer-based personal bibliographic facility, covers software selection, user selection, overview of the system, and evaluation. The plan for an integrated system, BIBLIO, and the future role of libraries are discussed. (eight references) (MES)

The practice of using a social network to establish and enhance relationships based on some common ground--shared interests, related skills, or a common geographic location--is as old as human societies, but social networking has flourished due to the ease of connecting on the Web. This OCLC membership report explores this web of social…

Discusses the role of information professionals in the future, based on a session at the Online Information 96 conference in London (England). Topics include equipment and software needs; technological advances; a trend toward distance education; how library users are adapting to change; interlibrary loans; online public access catalogs; and…

Describes the role of libraries at Claremont Colleges (California) in implementing a CD-ROM local area network to increase use of electronic databases. Highlights include grant funding; hardware; software; user education for faculty and students; future plans; and impact of the new technology on interlibrary loan, document delivery, and reference…

Describes the Lippincott Library (Warton School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) online chat reference service for students/faculty/staff to ask questions through chat and get an immediate response using a commercial service provided by LivePerson. LivePerson is a real-time text interface between the user who seeks information and the operator…

Because the publication of census data on CD-ROM has expanded the capabilities of users, librarians need to consider issues involved in providing census and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) services, selecting GIS software, and providing user support. (JMV)

Discusses the changing role of libraries as advances in information technology are made and describes projects that involve Digital Equipment Corporation. Highlights include changes in vendor products, services, and alliances; meeting user needs; statewide networks; Sonoma Internet Library Access Software; electronic libraries; open computing;…