Includes two reports: one from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) that discusses digital libraries, standards, collaboration, and membership and structure of IFLA; and one that considers Canadian-American librarianship in the 21st century, including federal government policy, copyright reform, and…

Reviews issues relating to database technology and digital libraries. Highlights include resource sharing; ongoing digital library projects; metadata; user interfaces; query processing; interoperability; data quality; copyright infringement; and managerial implications, including electronic versus printed materials, accessibility,…

The broad range of copyright issues educators face in the classroom are discussed. The discussion focuses on the fair use provision of the 1976 Copyright Act as it applies to the reproduction of print, software, and video materials. (SM)

Concludes from a review of 52 journal articles published in 1988 that periodic literature searches in circulation control are useful for identifying major trends, issues, and areas needing more serious study, and provide a basis for prediction. The issues discussed in the 1988 literature are summarized and areas for future study are suggested.…

Reviews copyright legislation; presents guidelines that should be used to determine whether educators' copying procedures or policies are in keeping with the copyright laws. Presents two scenarios wherein teachers are reproducing works for their classes and provides case law citations. (MLF)

The first of two articles discusses the extent to which piracy of intellectual property hurts the U.S. economy, the role of developing nations in piracy, and who benefits from the protection of intellectual property. The second explores the implications of a Supreme Court ruling on copyrighting of computer programs created by independent…

The legal system of copyright may have worked in the era of print, but with electronic technology, society needs less encumbered and cheaper access to expressed ideas. Economic success will go to those nations that best succeed in promoting creativity without inhibiting the incorporation of expressed ideas into other products. (MLW)

Describes how the University of Central Lancashire (United Kingdom) makes electronic document delivery service available to remote users as part of the European Commission research project, BIBDEL ("Libraries Without Walls"). Details the resources deployed and the difficulties in doing so, including technical issues and costs. Management…

Discusses the shift in core curriculum materials from printed textbook formats to electronic formats. Highlights include cooperative learning; teacher-student interaction; multimedia-based programs; changes in the media development process; different versions of the final product; new revision schedules; and permission to use visual images, sound,…

Discusses findings of PUBLAW2, a European Commission follow-up study on the impact of its "Guidelines for Improving the Synergy between the Public and Private Sectors in the Information Market." Highlights include the study context; the impact of the guidelines; and issues of privacy and data protection, copyright and ownership,…

Discusses relationships among teachers, curriculum package authors, and publishers. Describes the Atlantic Science Curriculum Project's reform efforts. Recommends that curriculum development projects include: (1) lengthy informal development; (2) combined testing of design and materials; (3) the withholding of contracts until materials are in…

An electronic information service established by the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries provides access by computer to 12,000 scholarly journals and periodicals. Facsimile copies are available for a fee, including copyright fee when required. The service is particularly helpful as reduced library budgets require that subscriptions be cut.…

Although making college libraries accessible by computer appears simple to laymen, developing a fully digitized library is not simple. Many technological and behavioral questions are unanswered, concerning copyrights, accuracy, and the issue of who will use the new technology and how. In addition, users' desire for hard copy persists. (MSE)

Presents a Russian perspective on patent rights in pedagogic studies. The paper notes that patents and licenses are profitable for the author, firm, and state and questions why teachers are not involved in the process. It also describes a center for pedagogical innovations in the USSR. (SM)

Officials from higher education, government, and industry are examining ways to create and maintain a nationwide computerized information network. Issues include the choice of technology, locus of responsibility, financial support, copyrights, and making the system useful for the majority of individuals. (MSE)