This paper examines the potential of the library catalog to serve as a portal to the Internet. The first section provides an overview of the development of the catalog, including the emergence of the union catalog, standardization of cataloging practice, MARC format, and the insufficiency of resources to catalog all the titles acquired by…

Discusses the development of Electronic Library at TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi). Highlights include: hardware and software used; the digital library/Virtual Electronic Library; directory of Internet journals; virtual reference resources; electronic collection/Physical Electronic Library; downloaded online full-length…

Defines and describes cyber-collaboration as the process by which disparate-appearing components wired to the Internet (e.g., libraries, publishers, bookstores) deliberately move beyond their boundaries and merge so that mutually beneficial improvements occur. Discusses technological juxtaposition, creative collaboration, and opportunities for…

Describes services of the Naval Research Laboratory Library that provide users in four geographical locations with digital library services, including over 500 electronic journals. Highlights include a Web-based information system, cooperative agreements, licensing, online catalogs, databases, hardware configuration, and future development.…

University libraries are realizing that in an age of increasing electronic access to information, providing electronic cataloging to complement other electronic services is essential. (MSE)

Reports on new products and services unveiled at the American Library Association's Midwinter Meeting in New Orleans, including a remote training service for librarians installing new automation systems which offers complete interactive user instructions via the Web; products for managing digital collections, including accessing online catalogs…

Access to online public access library catalogs and similar information networks by scholars in the humanities is discussed. Tools and approaches available for scholars to navigate the systems, their utility and contribution to "location independence" in information seeking, and the evolving relationship between libraries and their…

The eLib (Electronic Libraries) Program in United Kingdom higher education began in the spring of 1995, as a result of the Follett Report (Joint Funding Councils' Libraries Review Group, 1993) that emphasized the need for higher education libraries to be involved in the development of information and communication technologies. A "clump"…

Describes the British Library's strategic planning preparation for probable changes in the information environment up to the year 2000 caused by technological, economic, social, and other factors. Highlights include library services; improving its user orientation; information systems strategy; digital collections; catalog access; gateway…

This book presents examples of how libraries are using XML (eXtensible Markup Language) to solve problems, expand services, and improve systems. Part I contains papers on using XML in library catalog records: "Updating MARC Records with XMLMARC" (Kevin S. Clarke, Stanford University) and "Searching and Retrieving XML Records via the…

Considers the increase in the variety of electronic reference options in academic libraries based on surveys of ARL (Association of Research Libraries) members. Discusses online catalogs; CD-ROM databases; World Wide Web access; and changes in library instruction, including formal instruction, point-of-use instruction, and Internet instruction.…

Describes the history of consortia and cooperative efforts among libraries and their role in distance learning in higher education. Discusses shared online catalogs; purchases of electronic resources; supporting distance learners' information needs, including virtual reference; staff training; change management; cooperative planning; vendor…

This special theme section describes the University of Wisconsin-Madison's experience building its Electronic Library. Highlights include integrating resources and services; the administrative framework; the public electronic library, including electronic publishing capability and access to World Wide Web-based and other electronic resources;…

This paper describes the creation of an automated network of museum libraries in Spain. The only way in which the specialized libraries in the world today can continue to be active and to offer valid information is to automate the service they offer, and create network libraries with cooperative plans. The network can be configured with different…

Provides an overview of research conducted at Victoria University of Wellington regarding differing perceptions and expectations of user communities and librarians related to the usability of digital services. Considers access to services, currency of information on the Web site, the online public access catalog, databases, electronic journals,…