This research seeks to find the new trends in virtual reference and online learning by looking at the impact of COVID-19 on academic libraries, and by identifying gaps in professional development for academic librarians, particularly in reference and instruction. Responses from the surveyed academic librarians indicate that many services…

As players in the delivery of services and online information, libraries are in the best position to use staff expertise and the technology they have developed to foster community awareness of social, professional and commercial interactions on the internet. Historically, libraries have been progressive institutions, undertaking constant…

Growing numbers of libraries are experimenting with a new form of interactive reference to extend service to their patrons at the point-of-need and time-of-need. Examines digital reference for the altered user culture and point-of-need service products. Describes a pilot project offering chat reference service. Discuses developing service…

Describes the growth and accomplishments of Digital Libraries Initiative Phase 2 (DLI-2), lists performer and abstract information for Fiscal Year 1999 awards; progress in reference linking for journal articles with model; presents a Geospatial Knowledge Representation System (GKRS) prototype that integrates multiple knowledge sources to support…

Describes experiences in providing real-time online reference services to users with remote Web access at the Bowling Green State University library. Discusses the decision making process first used to select HumanClick software to communicate via chat; and the selection of a fee-based customer service product, Virtual Reference Desk. (LRW)

Identifies basic concepts of a networked digital library and the effects on traditional information service and formats. Describes selected projects in information automation and delivery. Highlights research projects at six universities concerned with digitizing information to be made available via communication networks. Discusses the role of…

This library technology plan from Mission College in California establishes the goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans of the library in developing and maintaining its technical capabilities and electronic resources. The goals are organized into four categories: information resources, instructional resources, infrastructure, and…

This guide addresses the needs of those teachers from the literacy field who are just beginning to explore the Internet as an exciting medium to enhance learning. Chapters 1-3, "Internet Basics," offer a brief introduction to what the Internet is (e-mail, mailing lists, newsgroups, File Transfer Protocol, World Wide Web), how to get…

This book presents 19 case studies in library web site creation and implementation. The book begins with an introduction--"Introduction: Step into My Parlor" (Julie M. Still)--and is divided into three sections. The first section, Academic Library Web Sites, contains six case studies: "U-SEARCH: The University of Saskatchewan…

This paper discusses a vision of the transformation of the library from a repository of printed material to a digital library serving as a complete information center where distant learners can obtain support for their educational aspirations. Future information centers will be distant learner-centered. Factors discussed include: (1) distance…

The Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) surveyed Association of Research Libraries (ARL) institutions to measure the degree of electronic resource sharing in ARL libraries; to discover which resources are being shared and between what kinds of institutions; and what documentation is available. Of the 119 ARL institutions surveyed, 53…

This article examines the impact of end-users on the information profession and looks ahead to what the future holds. It examines three waves of end-users that emerged with new search technologies: (1) full-text, natural language online systems; (2) CD-ROMs; and (3) the Internet. In the 1980s, when full-text online systems such as Textline, NEXIS,…

The growth of telecommunications technology for distance learning in the Cyberspace Age has opened many options for studying off-campus from home or office from remote and sparsely populated communities. Higher education is exploring this modern version of correspondence courses with the goal of increasing their student enrollment as well as…

Recent technological advances in computing and digital imaging technology have had immediate and permanent consequences for visual resource collections. Libraries are involved in organizing and managing large visual resource collections. The central challenges in working with digital image collections mirror those that libraries have sought to…

This report provides a step-by-step look at defining, planning, implementing, operating, and supporting Internet services for library patrons. Experts from the Cambridge (Massachusetts) Public Library share their experiences pioneering a high-speed, graphical Internet service that supports the full range of multimedia materials available across…