Special supplement to "Library Journal" and "School Library Journal" covers topics of interest to school, public, academic, and special libraries planning for automation: microcomputer use, readings in automation, online searching, databases of microcomputer software, public access to microcomputers, circulation, creating a…

Seven articles present history and overview of an academic online catalog. Highlights include linking of the library circulation system with the full bibliographic record system; planning and maintenance of an online catalog; effect of the online catalog on reference (uses, services, personnel); and a microcomputer-based user interface. References…

This study compares the rates of single renewal and return from the home loan of English language books of The Ohio State University Libraries across subjects and patron status. The chi square test of equal proportionality is used to make comparisons between data sets. Ten sources are given. (Author/EJS)

Reports on Green Thumb, a government-sponsored, university-operated, computer-based videotext system that disseminated agricultural information to 200 Kentucky farmers for 13 months. Findings suggest that adoption of videotext systems may follow a different adoption pattern than other farming innovations. (MH)

A large virtual university, a participant in a major distance study, is tracking students' enrollment in online or both online and face-to-face classes (i.e., mixed). Although an online students' profile provides data for examining the digital divide, one-time snapshots are inadequate. Time must be included as a dimension of any analysis of…

Many advocates for children are not yet involved in decision making and planning regarding the right of all children, regardless of family income, to benefit from information technology. This Kids Count report explores critical issues about information technology and children's literacy, education, and intellectual development. The report explains…

This guide was specifically designed to help students understand and navigate the wealth of information available today. This book guides students through the specifics of finding, using and evaluating information in print, electronic, and multimedia formats. Designed for individual or classroom library instruction use, it covers the entire…

Geared toward librarians who frequently work with faculty and graduate students, this paper summarizes the experience of the library at the University of Southern California in organizing and conducting several subject specific workshops on using the Internet as a research medium. It examines the practical issues on how to approach the task of…

This paper describes how librarians can teach patrons the basics of hypertext markup language (HTML) so that patrons can publish their own homepages on the World Wide Web. With proper use of handouts and practice time afterwards, the three basics of HTML can be conveyed in only 60 seconds. The three basics are: the basic template of Web tags, used…

For many librarians and information specialists, the World Wide Web presents a challenge, not only in terms of organizing information, but in creating a visual package that piques the user's curiosity and interest as well as provides orientation to a site. Creating original graphics gives a Web site a unique identity, and forces the designer to…

This paper discusses the processes and outcomes of translating a traditionally-taught business writing course into the online format, using bulletin board software. The paper covers creating, teaching, and managing the online business writing course at Golden Gate University (San Francisco, California). Pedagogical objectives are to emulate group…

This book is a guide to using new computer technologies in innovative ways to teach writing, particularly imaginative writing. The book shows how on-line technology can be a positive tool in the classroom, if the focus is on the users of the technology and the technology is integrated into the curriculum. The book is divided into five sections and…

This paper describes the creation of a comprehensive evaluation tool for reference librarians in adult service divisions to use in selecting World Wide Web sites as reference sources. Traditional evaluation criteria, endorsed and applied by librarians over the years, are not sufficient for the evaluation of today's hypermedia web site environment.…

The interaction needs and performance of distance learners in synchronous and asynchronous classes were compared in a study of 313 students enrolled in 16 distance education courses at Iowa State University in 1995 and 1996. The courses were offered through traditional face-to-face classroom instruction, over the Iowa Communications Network (ICN),…

This study examined the patterns of use, effects on roles and relationships, problems and preparations needs posed by the use of the Internet in middle school classrooms. Two technology-rich inner city middle schools in the Greater Los Angeles area were selected as pools from which to select teacher participants. Data collection was designed to…