The most critical challenge for higher education institutions in the near future will be to develop capacity for change, remove constraints to rapid response, remove unnecessary processes and administrative structures, question existing premises and arrangements, and challenge, excite, and empower all members of the academic community. (MSE)

Potential problems for college and university computing functions posed by arrival of the year 2000 (Y2K) are discussed, including arithmetic calculations and sorting functions based on two-digit year dates, embedding of two-digit dates in archival data, system coordination for data exchange, unique number generation, and leap year calculations. A…

A review of 19 university libraries in 12 African countries compared the benefits and drawbacks of information technology (IT), concluding that IT will not reduce the need for books and journals and that IT's biggest potential is in increasing intra-Africa communication and providing links to the outside world. (PEN)

Many historically black colleges and universities have developed several projects to improve technology on campus and promote its use. Some see it as a key to institutional survival. Projects emphasize training students and faculty in computer use, making joint purchases, sharing on-line instructional experiences, and seeking grants to install…

Discusses access to the Internet and participation in global communications. Highlights include telecommunications; personal experiences with information technology; information technology and communities; the need for scholarly publication and interaction; differences from older media; and future possibilities. (LRW)

Presents case studies on information ecology. Includes a chapter on librarians as "keystone species" in that they are very critical to the functioning of the ecology. Discusses the massive amounts of information available on the Internet and the role of librarians. Cites the need for Librarians to be more proactive in their local…

Describes the New York State Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Clearinghouse that is run by the New York State Library and discusses hands-on GIS technology used as an enhancement to its reference services. Topics include community building, in-house projects, library database development, outreach, and the future of GIS reference. (LRW)

Offers guidelines for integrating technology-enhanced education into the curricula: (1) support faculty and administration in developing technology-enhanced education; (2) identify information technology skills that graduates will need; (3) assist in planning support systems; (4) work with stakeholders to develop realistic estimates of needed…

Discusses information literacy and information-technology literacy, focusing on the responsibility of academic libraries to impart necessary skills. A sidebar by Kimberley M. Donnely "Learning from the Teaching Libraries" gives examples of four models of information-literacy development by colleges and universities. (AEF)

Describes a project developed in Portugal to create a virtual enterprise that associates small, rural enterprises and allows the formulation of competitive strategies based on information technology. Highlights include entering a global market, use of the Internet, communication networks, motivations, and an implementation model for setting up an…

Explores issues surrounding the development of Internet services for children in public libraries; discusses literature and literacy issues in relation to information and communication technology; and describes a Web site, developed in the United Kingdom, based on "Treasure Island," that could serve as a model for integrating technology…

Technologies that may be used to search for, gather, analyze, and disseminate information during the research process are explored. Focal points are networked computer technologies and technologies for facilitating survey research. (Author)

Members of diverse information professions and disciplines have historically had different missions, methods, and areas of responsibility. However, the new technical knowledge common among them is fertile ground for collaboration through information technology. Successful collaborations are based on identification of a common goal, recognition of…

Explains how fast and reliable Internet access can be obtained by using satellite communications based on experiences at a high school in Mississippi. Discusses Internet communications; how it was implemented in the media center; local area networks; the need for Ethernet-based connection to the Internet; and price. (LRW)

Describes four library retreats held by the Bowling Green State University library staff from 1995 to 1998. The retreats reflect changes in library work and management theory that have occurred. The importance of technology to library work is recognized, but there is also a growing realization of the importance of developing a flexible staff…