Review of the 1991 literature on serials discusses publishing and scholarly communication; subject bibliographies; acquisitions; pricing; evaluation and use studies; electronic serials; cataloging, classification, and shelf arrangement; indexing and content analysis; automated serials control; preservation; professional issues; union catalogs; and…

Describes changes in reference services in academic libraries prompted by new electronic formats and services. Four main areas are discussed: (1) changes in the philosophy of reference services and the types of reference services offered; (2) accessing reference services, including greater direct access by patrons; (3) physical configurations of…

Describes preliminary results of a longitudinal study that examined implementation of an automated library system in a three-college consortium, focusing on technical services departments. Mutual adaptation research and factors affecting implementation are discussed. Findings on organizational issues, changes in work and workflow, role changes,…

Suggests ways to develop staff training programs for library automation projects. Tips fall into five concept areas: trainers, trainees, program content and design, training environment and schedule, and followup. It is noted that the guide is appropriate for libraries automating for the first time or for those making changes to established…

Presents a geographic analysis of results of a survey of medical libraries in the United States, Canada, and Europe that examined the automation of book and serials processing. Levels of automation are investigated, geographic differences between the use of personal computers versus mainframe/minicomputers are discussed, and software systems are…

Presents results of a survey of ARL (Association of Research Libraries) members in the United States and Canada that was conducted to discover which electronic reference options are offered and their impact on library services. Online mediated searching, CD-ROM, end-user searching, and local databases are investigated. (nine references) (LRW)

Librarians at the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) offer CD-ROM database and online catalog training using a portable unit composed of a laptop computer, modem, LCD panel, and overhead projector. This unit allows librarians to make presentations to large groups and to demonstrate to faculty and students the relevancy of library technology.…

Discusses virtual libraries, i.e., library services available to users via personal computers; considers the issues of technological development, user demands, and organizational response; and describes progress toward virtual libraries in the Netherlands, including networks, online systems, navigation tools, subject classification, coordination…

Describes the functions of the Information Technology Section at Cornell University's (New York) Mann Library: (1) maintains and supports the library computer system; (2) develops software; (3) trains staff; (4) enables staff to make technical suggestions; (5) communicates library requirements to campus technical support unit; and (6) advises…

Describes three projects that illustrate the range of activities in which Cornell University's Mann Library technical services staff participate, including developing an organizational framework for numeric and full-text databases and bibliographic information for electronic resources. Sidebar articles describe the staff's computer workstations…

Discussion of integrated library systems focuses on the development of the Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK). Capabilities of eight existing systems are described, including catalog creation and maintenance; the online public access catalog (OPAC); circulation, interlibrary loan, and document delivery; acquisitions and serials…

Describes the transformation of the Lotus Development Corporation's corporate library from a paper-based information service to a virtual library using Lotus Notes as the underlying development platform. Lotus Notes' tracking, broadcast, reference, and discussion applications are presented; and applications being developed by other corporations…

Discusses results of a telephone survey of academic, private, corporate, and secondary school libraries that was conducted for UMI (University Microfilms International) to track the use of CD-ROM in the library industry, monitor market share levels, and identify trends. The success of CD-ROM and the growth potential for networking are highlighted.…

Suggests that the traditional concept of library resource sharing achieved through interlibrary loan cannot be justified and proposes expanding resource sharing to all library functions with information resources represented in machine-readable form accessible via data communication networks. The changes that would occur in the publishing process…

Reviews the collection development literature of 1992. Topics addressed include selection and collecting policies; cooperation; assessment and evaluation, including citation studies and user studies; organization and staffing; budget and allocations; electronic technologies of the present; and possible future developments. (Contains 178…