Describes how Illinois libraries are promoting awareness and ease of access to government documents and services. Electronic products, select bibliographies, sources of foreign country information for businesses, dealing with electronically published information, and classification of Illinois documents are among the topics covered in this…

Describes a study that was conducted at the School of Library and Information Science, University of Western Ontario, to examine search behavior of users in a hypertext information retrieval system. The effects of gender, search task, and search experience on two search options--analytical or browsing--are discussed. (Contains 15 references.) (LRW)

Describes the use of HyperCard software as an economical alternative to an online catalog to provide access to works of literary criticism at New Canaan High School (Connecticut). Topics discussed include the search screen display; the use of a scanner to input actual book indexes; and a dictionary of authors. (LRW)

Illustrates the use of computer data banks in history by examining the Medieval and Early Modern Data Bank (MEMDB) located at Rutgers University. States the database contains an expanding collection of historical monetary and price/wage data. Includes instructions, examples of search strategies, and an annotated bibliography. (CFR)

Reports results of a material-availability study in which library users were surveyed to determine their success in obtaining materials. Both OPAC users and CD-ROM journal-index users were studied and transaction logs verified their self reports. Recommendations for reducing search failures are discussed. (Author)

Discusses the conversion of fragile library materials to computer storage and retrieval to extend the life of the items and to improve accessibility through the World Wide Web. Highlights include entering the images, including scanning; optical character recognition; full text and manual indexing; and available document- and image-management…

A new subject list was generated for the Alzheimer's Association's Green-Field Library catalog, resulting in a mix of Medical Subject Headings and Library of Congress Subject Headings, augmented by local- and reviewer-supplied terms. The list gives the Library authoritative terms to use for original and copy cataloging. It can also be placed with…

Discusses problems and benefits of the electronic book and challenges in the electronic environment in terms of aggregation, pricing, authentication and authorization, presentation, downloading and printing, intellectual property, continued availability, and reliability and accessibility. Gives examples of commercial book aggregators and…

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…

Presents two empirical case studies concerning the role of individual differences in searching through a spatial-semantic virtual environment. Discusses information visualization in information systems; cognitive factors, including associative memory, spatial ability, and visual memory; user satisfaction; and cognitive abilities and search…

Various methods for retrieving chemical structure information on the World Wide Web are discussed. Although graphical plug-in programs provide more search capabilities, users first have to obtain a copy of the programs. Tripos's WebSketch and ACD Interactive Lab adopt a different approach; using JAVA applets, users create and display a structure…

Describes a study that investigated the methods which scientists use for the access and retrieval of journal articles, specifically how they first became aware of a certain article which they cited and how they obtained it. Implications for the role of academic libraries are discussed. (Contains 18 references.) (LRW)

Discusses the use of problem-based learning to meet technology standards. Highlights include technology as a tool for locating and organizing information; the Wolf Wars problem for elementary and secondary school students that provides resources, including Web sites, for information; Web-based problems; and technology as assessment and as a…

Presents an abstract of a planned session on costs of STM (scientific, technical and medical) journals and how the Web is providing alternative, nontraditional publishing options. Highlights include the impact on libraries; pricing and licensing; additional services such as selective dissemination of information; and archival, publishing,…

Provides a class activity that includes strategies for teachers and library media specialists to help students learn how to evaluate information. Includes the need to focus on specific information that is needed; developing research questions; the information gathering process; questioning; mind maps to help see relationships; and checking for…