The World Wide Web model has evolved within companies from a repository for notice boards to a new tool that can improve work productivity. Intranets, the internal or corporate internets, are likely to be the key information technology revolution for the remainder of this century. The intranet concept is derived from the present Internet as a…

There is a general feeling that European telecommunications are delaying the introduction of new information services. This paper responds to some of the questions concerning online information. The views result from research work at DECADE (Belgium) on the requirements of smaller organizations on the one hand and on telecommunications costs on…

A founding co-editor of Bryn Mawr Classical Review (BMCR) examines the costs and benefits of networked electronic communication for scholars. Some of the tools that have the potential to change the way scholars work include: online reference; online productivity information; e-mail as a productivity tool; and formal online publishing endeavors. A…

This paper presents the Virtual Reference Desk project, its current activities, and a proposed information system architecture to build a human intermediated network of expertise and experience for the K-12 community. The Virtual Reference Desk is a project headed by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology and funded by the U.S.…

Two new training and development initiative practices addressing telecommunications (Internet) training for education are presented: the Virtual Classroom and Vertically Integrated Technology Training (VERITTE). These techniques may be applied separately or in combination to develop competencies and positive attitudes among school personnel toward…

This paper proposes a process for community colleges to engage and direct discontinuous change in the face of the coming millennium. Described are several characteristics of change envisioned in the near future, including a complete break with the past, major reconstruction of nearly every element of the organization, and modification of the…

This proceedings of the 1999 IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) annual conference contains: information on the current, future, and past conferences; a message from H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the patron of the Thai Library Association; a conference program; an alphabetical list of authors; and 112…

This paper focuses on the changes taking place in the behavior of those engaged in research and teaching as a result of the increasing availability of source material on the Internet. It first discusses who customers are and what they are using information sources for. It then looks at the range of new services that are on offer, and reviews a…

The AccessMichigan Electronic Community Health Information Initiative (AMECHII) is a response to a recommendation of the Michigan Information Technology Commission Report recommending improved access to high-quality health care information for all Michigan stakeholders. This project is multi-type, including public, general academic, academic…

The Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC) is one of four regional rural development centers in the nation. SRDC coordinates rural development research and extension education programs cooperatively with the 29 land-grant institutions in 13 Southern states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. This annual report outlines activities undertaken by…

Describes strategies used by reference librarians to provide service to the developmentally disabled, including reference service to volunteer and professional service providers, specialized information networks, information and referral services, and key reference tools. Deinstitutionalization, normalization, the developmental model, and least…

Stresses providing reliable, factual information directly to users. Describes classes of data, the need for good data, quality control of databases, the electronic revolution in data dissemination, systematic cooperation to reduce costs of developing online services and of creating data bases, and trends in data dissemination. (JN)

Four papers describe systems adopted by public libraries in the United States for computerizing community information services and information and referral programs. Word processing at the Fresno County Information and Referral Network and the automation of library processes in the Pikes Peak Library District are among the topics discussed. (JL)

Discussed are the complex problems faced in the implementation of the project on research and human needs, and how systems analysis would make it possible to provide United Nations member states with information which would give them a better basis on which to decide the priorities in scientific research. (BT)

Describes how the Tulsa City-County Library System built a 22-branch CD-ROM-based network with the emerging thin-client/server technology, and succeeded in providing patrons with the most current research tools and information resources available. Discusses costs; networking options; the Citrix WinFrame system used; equipment and connectivity.…