This paper is based on two fundamental premises: (1) that the characteristics inherent in information (reproductivity, volatility, and value) combined with the technical capability provided by the new information technology (access, storage, communication, and control) have created the prospect of a new range of internal and external networking…

A discussion piece to assist the U.S. Bureau of the Census in planning for the effective use and dissemination of future census data and products in the Government Printing Office's Depository Library Program (DLP), this report identifies key issues that may affect the role of the DLP in providing the public with access to Census Bureau data. The…

This special issue presents 15 papers presented at an invitational conference on the role of information in the economic development of the southeastern region of the United States: (1) "Three Days in February: A Summary Report on the Role of Information in the Economy of the Southeast Conference" (Joel Sigmon); (2) "Impressions of…

For the purposes of this digest, productivity is defined as ways in which library and information services can assist agencies, industries, and individuals in producing goods and services effectively and profitably. Two fundamental issues that affect productivity are access and control; two major strategies for improving productivity are…

In today's information society, the greatest challenge for information professionals is to accept and understand the information world and to identify their own professional roles. These roles may vary according to the needs and stages of development of different countries, for not all countries are equally aware of the importance of information,…

This paper presents a self-contained summary in English of the results of a research project conducted for the Nordic Council of Ministers to define problems, advantages, and disadvantages of the electronic dissemination of information for consumers, and to determine whether consumer organizations should adapt their information activities and…

Three documents are presented which describe the Australian Open Learning Information Network (AOLIN)--a national, independent, and self-supporting network of educational researchers with a common interest in the use of information technology for open and distance education--and discuss two evaluative studies undertaken by the organization. The…

To address the challenges to education posed by the new information technologies, participants from 41 states--publishers, administrators, teachers, subject specialists, and leaders from the field of educational computing--gathered to share ideas and visions. This report of the conference proceedings includes introductory comments by John Roach of…

This study enumerates statutes of the 98th Congress treating information-related concerns. Limited to public laws of a substantive nature, the topical overview of areas of congressional concern is divided into nine sections: (1) Federal Information Resources Management; (2) International Communications and Information Policy; (3)…

This paper describes Alaska's state-managed telecommunications system, and details state efforts to increase the value of the state's information system to users within state government and in the private sector. The results of two studies conducted in 1986 at the request of the State Legislature are discussed, i.e., a statewide survey of Alaskan…

This symposium explored the effects of computers and modern technologies on library automation and cooperation. The following presentations are included in this collection: (1) "Economic Squeeze and Technological Challenge--Swedish Library Automation, 1987-90" (Svante Hallgren); (2) "A European Bibliographic Database Centre" (Bernard Gallivan);…

This paper reviews recent changes in Japanese telecommunications policy, assesses those changes, and evaluates the differences in the policy making and policy implementation processes in Japan and the United States. From this analysis, five lessons are derived for U.S. telecommunications policy: (1) the telecommunications sector is strategically…

An issue of growing importance in rural economic development is the role of telecommunications and information technologies. Looking prospectively at the rural economies of the 1990s and beyond, a conference of 25 participants from various fields of expertise met to address the issues of how rural America will be affected, both positively and…

This two-page digest briefly outlines some of the technological trends in updating a library, and briefly discusses the administrative issues and strategies involved. It begins by describing the wholly integrated information environment, which would include: (1) public-access personal and professional communications networks; (2) information…

This publication is an introductory guide to the use of computers for the planning and design of educational facilities. After a brief introduction, the first chapter provides a flowchart of the planning and design process for educational buildings. Chapter 2 explains elementary computing concepts such as hardware and software and diagrams the…