Discussion of issues concerned with providing library reference services to machine readable data files focuses on numeric databases. The team approach used at the University of Florida, which incorporates reference librarians, programers and data managers, database producers and vendors, and professional associations, is described. A bibliography…

Detailed study of Detroit-area adolescents provides explanations for the spread of sound change outward from urban areas and upward through the socioeconomic hierarchy. Social network structure, orientation to the urban area, and phonology are contrasted for the two adolescent social categories, "Jocks" (middle class) and…

Describes the selection of a library computer system for the University College of the Northern Territory in Australia. The criteria used in developing a cost-effective system, advantages and disadvantages of the resulting system, and possible applications to libraries in developing nations are discussed. (CLB)

Reviews the availability and use of educational software in elementary and secondary education. Topics discussed include the slow growth of software purchased by schools, programs that support the curriculum, word processing, tutorials, and trends toward networking and MS-DOS compatible software. (LRW)

The trend in school computers is toward "networking"--software controlled by a teacher from a central computer linked to student terminals. Despite rising costs, publishers are trying to meet the market's needs for word processing and database software. Guides published by software evaluation groups are listed for contact. (CJH)

Examines the difficulties faced by the implementors of information dissemination systems in developing nations and explores the possible use of optical data disk technologies to overcome them. A pilot project of the Pan American Health Organization for the production of a CD-ROM containing bibliographic references on public health is described.…

Data collected from 82 family triads demonstrate that adolescents are more consonant with mothers than fathers, particularly in the area of kinship relations. Fathers' distinctive association with adolescents is in the area of friendship relations and concerns affective aspects of relationships. These patterns are not dependent on gender of…

A test was conducted of a supplemental skills training and social-network-development aftercare program with 130 drug abusers from four residential therapeutic communities. The intervention produced positive effects on subjects' performance at the conclusion of treatment. Performance improved in situations involving avoidance of drug use, coping…

Presents interview with Roger Summit, the president of Dialog Information Services, Inc. Highlights include Summit's role as chief architect of the system, the inception of Dialog and its beginnings at Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, services provided by Dialog, a challenge for libraries, and future developments and services. (EJS)

Traces the 17-year development of a national organization which links parents of handicapped or disabled children with other parents of children with similar disabilities. Highlights the instrumental role of the organization in the development of various other national support groups. (DST)

Explains the major aims and project goals of the Welsh conservation movement called Project Cynefin. Describes the mechanisms for promoting environmental education in the schools and in facilitating a national and international information network. Also discusses specific projects and identifies key organizations. (ML)

Summary of the 1986 Special Libraries Association Conference covers a general session on managing organizational change and programs on entrepreneurship in corporate libraries, staff training, access to government information, ethics and new technology, networking inside corporations, and creating a positive image through marketing. (EM)

The article asks the following questions about self-identity: (1) how do people derive a unitary sense of self out of membership in many social categories; (2) do people respond differently when the social as opposed to the personal aspects of their identity are evoked; and (3) how do people respond to collective injustice? (PS)

Three articles on preservation present a theoretical framework for making preservation selection decisions by Atkinson, comments on Atkinson's concepts and possible mechanisms for identifying collections for top priority in microfilming by Child, and results of a Research Libraries Group study of the costs of preservation microfilming by McClung .…

When a university owned and operated telecommunications system was installed at the University of Michigan, all members of the university were directly effected. The way the university community was prepared and involved throughout the implementation of the project to ensure the ultimate acceptance and use of the system is discussed. (Author)