Discusses forces working against traditional academic libraries, including bureaucrats who do not understand libraries and want to save money and people who think technology will be able to provide better access to information without any guidance. Topics addressed include money and power; the economics of the publishing industry; and funding for…

Compares LISA (Library and Information Science Abstracts) on SilverPlatter's CD-ROM with its replacement version, Bowker-Saur's LISA Plus. Features reviewed include entry to the databases; use of Boolean search facilities; indexes and browsing; displaying and printing records; subsidiary functions; on-screen help; and interfaces. (Contains eight…

Describes an improvement program, based on total quality management concepts, for training employees that was developed at an IBM facility. Topics include student evaluation; follow-up telephone surveys; creating an educational brochure; and automating registration and recordkeeping activities. (LRW)

Describes presentations made at a forum on automation, interlibrary loan (ILL), and document delivery sponsored by the Houston Area Library Consortium. Highlights include access versus ownership; software for ILL; fee-based services; automated management systems for ILL; and electronic mail and online systems for end-user-generated ILL requests.…

This overview of OhioLINK, a library automation project that links 17 academic libraries and the state library in Ohio, describes the planning, governance, mandates, and structure of the network. Implementation of OhioLINK at Miami University is discussed, including selection of a library automation system, representation on OhioLINK committees,…

Previews the U.S. Postal Service's Postal Buddy, a self-service customer kiosk which uses multimedia computer applications to provide cost-effective and improved postal services to customers. Services are outlined, including change of address services and provision of relocation information. (EA)

Discusses "technolust" (i.e., obsession with computer technology) in librarians. Topics addressed include library automation, the concept of the virtual library, and recruitment of readers as the primary role of the public library. It is predicted that books and libraries will continue to be a vital part of the community. (EA)

A cross-section of libraries in the United Kingdom was surveyed to investigate the prevalence of systems librarians and their education, work experience, duties, and professional activities. Preliminary findings of one section of the questionnaire indicate that systems librarians are generally associated with larger institutions that have large…

Describes the Thailand Development Research Institute Library's development of an integrated bibliographic system using UNESCO's Micro-ISIS software. Linkages between databases were made using an in-house application (TIBIS) written in CDS/ISIS Pascal. The library system is available on a local area network (LAN). (three references) (EA)

Discusses the role of information technology in libraries and suggests that more questions need to be asked about its proper role. Topics discussed include the relationship of technological advances to social progress; private versus public sector control; changing values of librarianship; social and political implications; and access to…

Describes the networking of CD-ROM drives in libraries to accommodate users' simultaneous access to the same CD-ROM. Highlights include costs; vendors who supply local area network hardware and software; licensing practices; and a sidebar that describes the use of CD-ROM networks at Vanderbilt University and the University of Kansas. (LRW)

Describes internal databases available at the Bulgarian Central Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (CINTI) and discusses trends and possibilities for their use in other library and information centers in Bulgaria. The online catalog at CINTI's Central Scientific and Technical Library (CSTL) is described, and potential uses of…

The Advanced Computing/Management Training Program at Jordan Technical Center (Sandy, Utah) simulates an automated office to teach five sets of skills: computer architecture and operating systems, word processing, data processing, communications skills, and management principles. (SK)

Describes results of a survey of rural public libraries that was conducted to determine what technology is currently available and in use. Highlights include library personnel education; cataloging and other areas of technical services; reference services; online databases; and suggestions for further studies. A copy of the questionnaire…

Presents highlights of research that used industrywide surveys, focus groups, personal interviews, and industry-published data to explore the future of electronic information delivery in libraries. Topics discussed include CD-ROMs; prices; full-text products; magnetic tape leasing; engineering and technical literature; connections between online…