Discusses technological research efforts by the Research and Development Department of the British Library in the areas of videotex, videodisc, and teleconferencing, noting the videotex service known as Prestel and the department's network project, called BLEND (Birmingham and Loughborough Electronic Network Development). (EJS)

Examines the changes that occur in the social networks and activities of individuals as a result of divorce. An integrative review of the available research concerning the social situation of divorced persons, five metapolicy guidelines, and examples of policy implementations relating to divorced persons are presented. (JAC)

Major Project on Education in Latin America and Caribbean promotes cooperation among countries to organize educational information systems and services. Specific objectives are to ensure that children of school age receive schooling, to eradicate illiteracy and develop educational services for adults, and to improve quality and efficiency of…

Describes several cases in which microcomputers were used to prevent large organizations (e.g., utility companies, U.S. Government Forestry Commission) from carrying out actions considered not to be in the public's best interests. The use of the computers by social activitists in their efforts to halt environmental destruction is discussed. (EAO)

The limitations of microcomputers, their potential uses on college campuses, and what should be considered when purchasing them are discussed. Specific uses of microcomputer networks, including one at Kansas City Kansas Community College, are outlined. (Author/MLW)

Outline of the operation and services of the Data Library in the University of Florida Libraries includes a brief history, administration of the library system, development of collection of machine-readable data files, data users, technical services, reference services, funding, and staff recruitment, training, and development. Four references are…

Outlines the background of the library system at the Autonomous National University of Mexico (UNAM) and presents an account of the programs which have been developed in support of the library infrastructure and the Universal Availability of Publications (UAP) program, in particular the development of the LIBRUNAM automated retrieval system.…

Recounts the development of a regional intersystem school and public library network in downstate New York, called INTERSHARE, and outlines the activities and considerations that went into the production of an online union catalog by the participating libraries. (JL)

Review of selected studies on use of social science information indicates that social scientists tend to use private sources and informal networks rather than libraries; value of citation studies as guides to library collection building is disputed; and machine access to social science databases is increasing. Eighty references are cited. (EJS)

Discusses trends in computer technology and their use for library catalogs, noting the concept of bandwidth (describes quantity of information transmitted per given unit of time); computer hardware differences (micros, minis, maxis); distributed processing systems and databases; optical disk storage; networks; transmission media; and terminals.…

Discusses the inception and history of the Research Libraries Group, a member-owned corporation of 25 universities begun in 1972 and dedicated to improving the management of information necessary for the advancement of scholarship. Goals, programs (shared resources program, collection development program), and network database are noted. (EJS)

Examines the capabilities, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility of the Stanford Public Information Retrieval System (SPIRES), an online information retrieval system producing a variety of printed products, and notes its use in the Title I Evaluation Clearinghouse, advantages of SPIRES, programing, and availability. Eleven references and a five-item…

Presents objectives, scope, structure, operations, principal products, and bibliographic services of the Regional Network for Information and Documentation (REPIDISCA) sponsored by the Pan American Health Organization. Planning of a regional document delivery service (basic parameters, microform technology, network procedures, payment,…

Describes experimental 2-year pilot project conducted at 21 randomly selected community libraries in Los Angeles County Public Library system to test feasibility and measure results of a children's services proposal. The proposed year-round reading program is designed to meet needs of changing academic programs in schools and changing juvenile…

The major benefit of library automation lies in the potential for sharing infrequently used titles among libraries through local, regional, national, and international networks. These offer administrators a powerful tool for maximizing their institutions' research resources and flexibility. (Author/MSE)