A group of young scholars, frustrated by the difficult academic job market and dissatisfied with classroom instruction, is trying to establish a nontraditional university entirely through Internet, a major computer network. Prospective anonymous backers have pledged substantial start-up funds. The project will begin with simple computerized…

A framework is proposed for evaluating the learning ecology and processes created by information technology in schools and developing an ecological model for research. The evaluation of Project Comptown, an intervention with extensive use of computers in two Israeli communities (with over 6,000 students), illustrates the framework. (SLD)

Describes an undergraduate course that was developed at Salem State College to provide students with an overview of information technologies, including online databases, online catalogs, CD-ROM, hypertext, interactive video, electronic bulletin boards, and computer networks. Student reactions are discussed, including changed perceptions, and…

Addresses the inadequacies of traditional methods of library financing and proposes a strategy to be implemented in an environment supported by automation and networks. Publisher pricing of data rather than publications, options for charging library users with debit cards, and the role of regional library networks are discussed. (EAM)

Thomas Edison State College (New Jersey) has developed a computer-assisted distance learning system to make undergraduate study more accessible, efficient, and effective for nontraditional students. The three main components: an infrastructure to provide varied technical services; an independent study course system; and diagnostic, online pretests…

Discusses cultural and technological influences in the management of human resources in the research library and their impact on individual rights and responsibilities, division of labor, supervision, educational requirements, and job stress. (23 references) (EA)

"The Evolution of a School Library Network: Setting up a CD-ROM Local Area Network (LAN)" describes how to set up a CD-ROM LAN in a school library, including establishing a technology plan and choosing hardware, software, cabling, and staffing. A description of the Texas Education Network (TENET) and reviews of print and electronic…

Twelve articles describe the impact of library technologies on reference services. Staff training, the academic librarian as teacher and information provider, decision-making models for planning reference services, patron database access options, management of reference services, systemwide electronic access, and the electronic library are among…

Discussion of electronic information access in libraries focuses on five areas that impact quality and cost: (1) hardware, including networking, graphics, and full-text capabilities; (2) software; (3) access and utilization, including Internet and instruction and training; (4) licensing, including suggestions for publishers as well as librarians;…

Discussion of electronic resources in the humanities focuses on their incorporation into library collection development practices. Topics addressed include computer-aided research and scholarly communication; differences among humanist scholars in their acceptance of electronic resources; electronic texts and electronic publishing; standards,…

Project Athena is a $100 million, eight-year project to install a large network of high performance computer work stations for education and research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Organizational, legal, and administrative aspects of the project allow two competitors (Digital Equipment Corporation and IBM) to work together…

Discusses the effects of rapid development and deployment of information processing technology and the aging of the workforce on library technical services. Problems that can result are considered, and ergonomic solutions, training, change management, and the avoidance of stereotypes are advocated. (Contains nine references.) (EAM)

Provides an empirical review of problems facing library users with visual impairments using computers, and reviews some of the technology that can help alleviate these problems. Highlights include software; GUI (Graphical User Interfaces); advising and training; library automation; and appendices that list further sources of relevant information.…

Reviews global electronic access changes and their impact on library operations with particular references to developments at the Australian National University. Topics discussed include scholarly communication; user demands; information technology developments; library structures and organizations; management qualifications for librarianship;…

The "Passport to Flexible Learning" project was designed to support Central Queensland University's (Australia) plan to use a variety of communication technologies for the delivery of units of study across its geographically isolated campuses. Hands-on workshops were developed to introduce first-year students to a variety of electronic…