This monograph contains three symposium presentations that are intended to help define and clarify possible options for a future research agenda for lifelong learning. "Adult Learning: A Review of the Literature with Suggestions for the Direction of Future Research" (Sharan Merriam) thoroughly develops a matrix that explains the contributions of…

The multidisciplinary field of mining engineering offers many challenges. Often, many sources must be used to solve a problem. This document is a survey of information sources in mining engineering and is intended to identify those core resources which can help engineers and librarians to find information about the discipline. Sections include:…

The four projects described here, a selection of those funded by the Annenberg/CPB Project, focus on the use of telecommunication and information technologies as tools for teaching in higher education. All are written by people directly involved in the projects described. The introductory section, "Overview: Issues in Educational…

The development of a large body of e-­learning specifications, such as IMS and SCORM, has led to the proposal for a new way to facilitate content workflow. This involves the movement of educational digital content and the knowledge of pedagogical communities into an online space. Several projects have looked at the theoretical structure of these…

This article describes the following case: Pete Wilmington, Vice President of Sales for See-Saw Jeans for Kids, has wrapped up a deal with Wal-Mart to carry See-Saw Jeans for Kids in all Wal-Mart stores on a trial basis for the next year. See-Saw Jeans for Kids is a clothing manufacturer with sales of $41 million, but the Wal-Mart account has the…

Predictions for the future of optical disk technology are based on three phases of development: feasibility testing; use as a replacement technology for older technologies; and the introduction of new applications not possible in older technologies. (Author/CLB)

Relates how the story of how San Francisco State University evaluated IBM PC look-alikes, considered some of the risks involved, and decided to purchase over 100 of them. Questions of compatibility, vendor longevity, support, and other risk management issues are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Describes changes in management structures on college campuses that have led to the emergence of the position of chief information officer (CIO) to improve information services. The merging of new information technologies with traditional resources is discussed, the responsibilities of CIOs are described, and possible future developments are…

With funding from the National Library of Medicine, the University of Maryland at Baltimore instituted a formal strategic planning process for an integrated academic information management system. A general model for organizational change is applied to the situation, with references to the literature on systems models and formal planning. (MLW)

Survey of the history and current development of information technology covers hardware (economies of scale, communications technology, magnetic and optical forms of storage), and the evolution of systems software ("tool" software, applications software, and nonprocedural languages). The effect of new computer technologies on human…

This review of the position of information, the use of information technology, and the needs of librarians, is based on the report of the Transbinary Group on Librarianship and Information Studies in the United Kingdom. Both practical and theoretical issues in library education and employment are discussed. (LRW)

Describes curriculum development in West German information science programs that integrates subject specialty knowledge with information science and technology. An overview of the West German educational system is given and a program with subject specialties in chemistry and electrical engineering at the Fachhochschule Darmstadt is explained.…

Describes the development of library and bibliographic information networks, differences between the functions of archives and libraries, and the challenge to create information networks which encompass both library and archival materials. (CLB)

This review of the positive and negative impact of centralization of library collections and services on library staff and quality of services focuses on reference services. The move from decentralized to centralized library services at Louisiana State University is discussed as well as the effect of automation on that configuration. (Author/CLB)

Discusses the need for knowledge gateway systems to provide access to scattered information and the use of technologies in gateway building, including artificial intelligence and expert systems, networking, online retrieval systems, optical storage, and natural language processing. The status of four existing gateways is described. (20 references)…