To better understand health information provision in the public library setting, two cooperative library systems that serve primarily rural populations in upstate New York were studied. The central library in one of those systems established a consumer health information center (CHIC) in 1999. In the other system, the central library does not have…

Reference services in public libraries are changing dramatically. The Internet, online databases, and shrinking budgets are all making it necessary for non-traditional reference staff to become familiar with online reference tools. Recognizing the need for cross-training, Chesapeake Public Library (CPL) developed a program called the Database…

Describes the ways public libraries make use of the products of the information industry, and suggests areas for cooperation between the two communities. (PF)

Discusses the implementation of free online search services at the Mount Vernon Public Library for all registered borrowers of the county library system. Policy decisions and planning, operating procedures, publicity, and usage evaluation are noted. Retrieval procedures, search request forms, and sample searches are appended. (EJS)

Examines online searching done for public libraries during October 1984 at The System Reference Service of the multitype North Suburban Library System. Highlights include total requests searched online, total public library requests searched online (by subject category), samples of successful and unsuccessful public library searches, databases…

Online database searching experiences of nine Illinois public libraries--Arlington Heights, Deerfield, Elk Grove Village, Evanston, Glenview, Northbrook, Schaumburg Township, Waukegan, Wilmette--are discussed, noting search costs, user charges, popular databases, library acquisition, interaction with users, and staff training. Three sources are…

Goals of micropreservation project at New York Public Library are twofold: to improve in-house processing and control of microforms (updating bibliograhic information, adding records to Research Libraries Information Network database, inspecting archival master negatives) and to participate in national preservation effort (supplementing…

Represented are the detailed set of data structures relevant to the categorization of information, terminology, and definitions employed in the design of the library statistical data base. The data base, or management information system, provides administrators with a framework of information and standardized data for library management, planning,…

The National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) has developed a library statistical data base which concentrates on the management information needs of administrators of public and academic libraries. This document provides an overview of the framework and conceptual approach employed in the design of the data base. The data…

The National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) has completed the development and demonstration of a library statistical data base. The data base, or management information system, was developed for administrators of public and academic libraries. The system provides administrators with a framework of information and…

Provides description of the initial creation of a regional union catalog containing 600,000 unique titles and 1.8 million physical items, the conversion of this database to interactive laserdisc, and the resultant advantages. Updates, costs, problems, and the application of laserdisc technology are discussed. (EJS)

Three major electronic developments have had a profound effect over the last 19 years on the interloan operation of a medium-sized public library system in central New York State: the Gaylord Brothers, Inc. Circulation System; the New York State Interlibrary Loan Network; and the OCLC, Inc.-Interlibrary Loan Subsystem. (EJS)

The New York State Library is conducting two regional pilot programs to provide on-line information services to public, academic, and special library patrons. These procedures and guidelines were written for reference librarians in participating libraries who will act as the intermediaries between their patrons and the search analysts at the State…

Describes automated library network developed when five municipal library systems entered into an equal partnership to create single database and to jointly own a computerized circulation and MARC records system. Highlights include use of microcomputers, the shared circulation system, costs, benefits, governance, equality, stability and financial…

Describes the HELOS project in Denmark, which is using information technology to facilitate library development, increase levels of library and information services, and increase levels of technological qualifications of library staff among four rural libraries. The discussion highlights library and information services offered, hardware and…