A survey examined the degree to which community information systems provide consumer health information in the United Kingdom. Discusses the extent and nature of this information versus government requirements; operational details; non-healthcare information; management and decision making; procedures for updating information; health information…

Explores the complexity of researching networked learning in higher education. Suggests that no single theoretical model currently available is sufficiently powerful to provide a framework for a research agenda that takes into account key aspects of human agency. Presents findings of a multi-method analysis of the learning and tutoring processes…

This article discusses the creation of an archive that permits online access to digital copies of back issues of the "Learning Disability Quarterly." It describes how to access the archive, select and order an issue, and the benefits of providing information in digital formats. (Contains 3 references.) (CR)

This article poses questions that should be asked before enrolling in a gifted education Web-based course, including questions concerning self-discipline, required hardware and software, participation requirements, whether the course is self-contained, and if there are additional tuition fees. A self-check quiz for potential online participation…

Offers advice for ways in which librarians can help library patrons when online catalogs are down. Suggests using WorldCat, calling on other libraries, and employing various reference sources, such as Balay's Guide to Reference Books and the telephone. (Contains 6 references.) (NB)

Describes JSTOR, a non-profit organization that creates, maintains, and provides online access to important scholarly journals. States that the JSTOR archive contains the complete back-runs of 169 journals and is available at more than 1,100 libraries across the world. (NB)

Examines technical and support issues that impact on libraries' decisions to provide patrons with remote communication access to CD-ROM local area networks. Areas discussed include licensing costs for CD-ROM, remote control communications software, dedicated hardware, system maintenance, computer security, and the provision of quality, user…

The first of three articles reports the effectiveness of a feature-matching approach to computer retrieval of graphic information. The second discusses the use of multivariate techniques to measure perceived complexity of database searching by users. The third explores the limitations of user consultation in database design. (Author/CLB)

Describes a computer network developed at the City University of New York Law School that uses device sharing and local area networking to create a simulated law office. Topics discussed include working within a multi-vendor environment, and the communication, information, and database access services available through the network. (CLB)

This interview with Bertrum MacDonald discusses the decisions that determined the character of a national bibliography on science and technology in Canadian history. Topics discussed include the scope of the project; classification and indexing decisions; the database management system used; unexpected problems; and predicted usage of the…

Discussion of online bibliographic database searches focuses on a software system, SORT-AID/SABRE, that ranks retrieved citations in terms of relevance. Results of a comprehensive user evaluation of the relevance ranking procedure to determine its effectiveness are presented, and implications for future work are suggested. (10 references) (LRW)

Describes a survey of Australian primary and secondary schools that examined their use of electronic information systems. Topics discussed include systems and services in use, the extent of system use and acceptance, curriculum applications, perceived problems and benefits, and some of the strategies and administrative procedures connected with…

Discusses issues that must be addressed to determine if a library's cataloging needs are best met with an online system, an optical data disk system, or some combination of the two. The experiences of academic and public libraries in Nevada are used to illustrate issues related to vendors, databases, and system features. (10 references) (CLB)

Describes the transition of the Getty Center Photo Archive from a museum library serving a select curatorial clientele to a major art research library, and the resulting need to devise new cataloging schemes. The discussion covers efforts to reconcile existing cataloging formats with MARC formats. (CLB)

Examines two databases--MEDLINE and ABI/INFORM--as currently implemented on laserdisk, commercial systems, and local time-sharing in the University of Pennsylvania libraries. The direct costs to the library of installing and operating the three formats are analyzed, and costs and benefits to users are discussed, including comparisons of the…