Provides a brief history and overview of current projects in distance education and describes potential roles for the library media specialist in this area as school coordinator or information consultant. Addresses of several distance education projects are listed. (12 references) (MES)

Summarizes problems affecting reference accuracy and solutions recommended by librarians in four areas: the reference interview, inadequate knowledge of sources, library system failure, and the fallible nature of human beings. It is argued that the recommended actions, when viewed as a whole, indicate that collaboration among librarians is a key…

Describes the evaluation of four relational database management systems (RDBMSs) (Informix Turbo, Oracle 6.0 TPS, Unify 2000 and Relational Technology's Ingres 5.0) to determine which is best suited for library automation. The evaluation criteria used to develop a benchmark specifically designed to test RDBMSs for libraries are discussed. (CLB)

The first section discusses two common styles of microcomputer consulting, when each is appropriate in libraries, and the dangers of using one type. The second section focuses on types of vaporware, the effects of each, and steps to minimize potential damage. A bibliography of this quarter's literature watch on microcomputer hardware and software…

Describes reference materials that may be useful in finding legal cases decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. Case citations and case names are explained, finding a case on a particular topic is addressed, and sources for finding a major Surpeme Court case by case name or topic are given. (LRW)

Describes a public use microcomputer cluster at the University of Maine, Orono. Various network topologies, hardware and software options, installation problems, system management, and performance are discussed. (MES)

Explains the origins of technology assessment and defines the term. The method is discussed in general and with particular attention to use of the Delphi technique as a data-gathering tool for technology assessment studies. The method is suggested for considering the likely impacts of new information technologies on library and information…

Preliminary report from the 1988 Special Libraries Association (SLA) salary survey presents data on: (1) changes in mean and median salaries from April 1, 1987, to April 1, 1988, within U.S. Census Divisions and Canada; (2) salary distribution by Census Division; and (3) salary distribution by SLA Canadian chapter. (MES)

Discusses the origins of librarians' concern with their image and reviews an analysis of the issue in the literature from 1921-78. The image presented in three major national library journals--American Libraries, Library Journal, and Wilson Library Bulletin--are then examined together with opinions of the journal editors for the period from…

Explores the advantages and disadvantages of using color microforms. The types of color film are described, and problems of fading and the cost effectiveness of using color are discussed. (6 references) (MES)

Identifies and examines four information science core competencies of the Du Pont Corporation's information science services: ability to conceptualize information; knowledge of internal and external information resources; understanding of information resource management; and ability to synthesize and tailor information. Describes the…

Describes a system for organizing a classroom library which uses a computer database and student librarians. (SR)

Urges library media specialists to broaden their vision to include resource-based teaching and information literacy in their daily regimen. Discusses the role of library media centers in developing positive reading attitudes in students. Bases the discussion on the work of Stephen Krashen. (RS)

A course-integrated bibliographic instruction session was designed to develop skills in evaluating biomedical information sources. Students in small groups evaluated and ranked medical and nursing dictionaries and defended ratings to the class. (SK)

Explains the Common Gateway Interface (CGI) protocol as a set of rules for passing information from a Web server to an external program such as a database search engine. Topics include advantages over traditional client/server solutions, limitations, sample library applications, and sources of information from the Internet. (LRW)