Discussion of increased automation in the book trade and in library acquisitions systems, which will lead to a new type of bookseller-library interface and relationship, notes electronic equipment, library requirements, book-trade response, and design of interactive systems. Thirteen references are provided. (EJS)

Reviews existing studies of the invisible college phenomenon and considers the implications for information transfer among researchers, particularly within the social sciences. The likely impact of developments in communications technology on interpersonal networks is discussed and a number of areas for further investigation are proposed.…

Describes the development of a directory of minority researchers in the field of housing and community development. Summarizes data from the directory and calls for increased communication among minority urban researchers in order to develop neighborhood level self-help strategies for improving housing conditions in minority communities. (GC)

Examines social networks in three villages in rural Thailand. Demonstrates that Mon (merchant group) villagers, despite their cultural similarity to other Thais, are less strongly linked into the networks of villagers in which they trade. Suggests that ethnicity provides a vehicle for social distance which is beneficial for commerce. (Author/GC)

Describes the response of the scientific community to creationist activism. A symposium entitled "Science and Belief" was held at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science to debate creationism. A network was organized to facilitate communication and political efficiency among anticreationist citizen…

An investigation of the feasibility of using a computer-assisted decentralized bibliographic control system to build a comprehensive, consistent national database for use in a national library network used the Northwestern On-line Total Integrated System to establish a center for African materials at Northwestern University. Eleven references are…

Discusses the new relationships between libraries and their users with reference to the worldwide medical information networks which have developed through the influence of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Consideration is given to the new roles librarians will have to assume. (Author/LLS)

Notes the importance of equal access to information for all citizens through library networks and defines the role of government in the establishment of a national network system. (CWM)

Discusses networking, other forms of interlibrary cooperation, and the need for library managers to be aware of their role in these cooperative ventures. (CHC)

Discusses legal, political, and economic implications of technological advancement that may affect the operations and services of libraries. The emphasis is international; however, many problems have national counterparts. Included is a description of ownership and copyright problems experienced by the international MARC network. (Author/RAA)

Examines the issue of OCLC benefits for special libraries in terms of find rates and suggests that special libraries consider OCLC participation when find rates are low. (FM)

Presents a case for the integration of stand-alone microcomputers into the educational environment through time-sharing networks utilizing medium to large-scale central computer facilities. The PLATO system is used to illustrate the evolution of distributed processing in the computer-based education environment. (Author)

Contains the complete questionnaire used in an international survey to determine the range of responsibilities of national libraries and to identify specific roles which may warrant further investigation. A summary of replies is included. (FM)

Calls for a moratorium on the growth of transborder data flow systems, in order to halt the drift toward "crisis on a grand scale." (PD)

Reviews present and international library networking activities, both in terms of the status quo in 1978 and, in the case of the United States, the efforts underway toward implementing a more coordinated and comprehensive system than presently available. The roles of various organizations/groups are also discussed. (Author/JD)