Description of the planning of a project designed to test the feasibility of distributing a statewide union catalog database on optical disk discusses the relationship of the project's goals to those of statewide library development; dealing with vendors in a volatile, high technology industry; and plans for testing and evaluation. (EM)

Proposes a "critical mass" explanation for the diffusion of interactive media, such as telephone, electronic mail, or computer conferencing, within communities. Considers two special characteristics of interactive media: (1) that widespread usage creates universal access, and (2) that use entails interdependence, in which earlier users…

Studied the role of structural and qualitative components of social support in depression, coping, health, and life satisfaction in bereaved persons (N=192) between the ages of 50 and 93. Found that social support played a significant but modest role in bereavement outcomes during the first two years after the death of a spouse. (Author/ABL)

A cooperative effort of European universities and five major international corporations will provide professional continuing education to engineers, scientists, and managers in European firms through teleconferencing and international consultation, with the objective of facilitating economic development. (MSE)

Examination of 390 Black American adolescents demonstrates that males and females experience very different structured forms of social support. Females report more frequent contact with network members, who were both male and female, slightly older, and met in private settings. Males report larger groups of intimate friends, who are overwhelmingly…

Discusses some of the misuses of telecommunicating using school computers, including online piracy, hacking, phreaking, online crime, and destruction boards. Suggests ways that schools can deal with these problems. (TW)

A program should be made available to families that offers them differing ways of becoming involved. The progress of one such program, Family Matters, is detailed, and the results discussed. Although Family Matters empowered parents to a degree, the program failed to address several issues. (BJV)

Describes computer-based software and network systems for application to serials and government publications. General and specific functional requirements (hardware, software, file structure) are discussed, and descriptive information about commercially available serials control systems and a list of distributors are provided. (CLB)

Reviews the use of microcomputers by students and faculty at Reed College, Stanford University, Carnegie Mellon, Drexel University, and Brown University. Types of computers provided and software developed on each campus are described, and a business developed to promote the distribution of software between colleges--the Academic Courseware…

Explores geographical definition of communities and tendency for community relations to transcend geographical boundaries. Reinterprets Durkheim's theory of social solidarity to argue that division of labor directly reduces solidarity but indirectly increases solidarity through secondary groups, the state, and the cult of individuality. (LFL)

This article is the result of author's visit to more than 16 of China's top university libraries, various Academy of Sciences libraries, and National Peking Library during 1984-85 academic year. Topics covered include hardware inventory, software applications development, Chinese ideograph automation, China's library classification system, and…

Presents the model of the Information Service of the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center Information Service, including the objectives and tasks necessary to develop an information service, and staffing and funding guidelines for the first two years. (EJS)

This overview of the information market and services available in the Federal Republic of Germany highlights online information systems (hosts, databases, networks); relation of Europe to United States and Germany; the German library system (problems and advantages of document delivery, online services); and telecommunication technology.…

Profile of the Houston Public Library, which was established in 1904, covers the opening of a new central library building in 1976, library services and collections, the building of branch libraries including a portable mall facility, information and referral programs to ethnic groups and business, and development of library automated systems.…

This discussion of the effects of Information Revolution on special libraries highlights changes in clients that consume services and approve budgets (institutions, corporations, government departments); interrelated triggers to informationization (network organization, information technology, human capital); and three types of information for…