Discusses how collections in the digital library, instead of traditional cataloging, call for metadata, structured information about information. Describes three categories of metadata information about digital resources: descriptive, structural, and administrative. Examines emerging standards for digital-library classification. (AEF)

Provides a brief description of the Z39.50 information retrieval standard and reviews evaluation criteria and questions that should be asked when selecting a Z39.50 client. Areas for consideration include whether to buy or build a Z39.50 client, the end-user's requirements, connecting to a remote server, searching, managing the search response,…

In this study, 182 Canadian senior administrators, middle managers, and front-line librarians in public and academic libraries were asked to describe the nature of organizational change in their workplaces and how new technology affected the restructuring. Respondents agreed that financial pressure is driving most change and that technology is a…

Reports on a survey of 631 colleges that investigated changes in library instruction and compared the results with previous LOEX (Library Orientation/Instruction Exchange) studies (1979, 1987). Provides data on size and type of institution, administration of instruction, types and methods of instruction (required, print, nonprint, methods used,…

Provides an annotated bibliography of 42 books that rank as the library profession's most outstanding literature published between January 1997 and March 1998. The list is organized by the following categories: academic libraries; archives/preservation; cataloging/technical services; children's services; collection development; general library…

Discusses academic library consortia, examines types of consortia, and presents three case histories (OhioLINK, PALCI and CIC). Highlights include economic competition; changes in information access and delivery; growth of information technology; quality improvement; and future strategies, including pricing models for electronic information,…

In this study, small academic libraries (monographic collections of under 30,001 volumes) were surveyed to determine the types and extent of electronic technology available and how it was being used. Satisfaction of users and staff, the correlation between instruction and the use of electronic technology, and funding are also discussed. (LRW)

Provides an overview of the 1997 national cataloging conference of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Topics include innovation and enervation, cataloging skills for electronic documents, the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, content versus carrier, issues related to seriality, networking, human resource management, career…

Summarizes issues raised at the 1997 national cataloging conference of the Australian Library and Information Association. Includes a draft procedural document for cataloging Internet sites and provides reports from five workshops on human resource management in cataloging, career strategies for catalogers, cataloging standards, the Anglo-American…

Discusses visual literacy and its impact on school performance. Topics include rising scores on intelligence tests; the importance of visual literacy skills for university students; and implications for school practices related to technology, including teaching methods, teacher training, and equity issues. (LRW)

Methuen Public Schools, Massachusetts, has become a wired school system with computers in every classroom, Internet access, and state-of-the-art mixed-media. Five citizens who work in the technology industry formed a steering committee to drive the project. A long-term partnership with a private vendor, Lucent Technologies, addresses the…

Explores two pedagogical aspects of the reciprocal relationship between the human psyche and current technology, describing how that interaction expands and constrains pedagogy and ultimately teacher education. The paper discusses novel understandings of learning (constructivism and social aspects of learning), novel technological affordances,…

Describes the development of Project EASIER, a collaborative electronic-data interchange for networking Iowa local school districts, education agencies, community colleges, universities, and the Department of Education. The primary goal of this project is to develop and implement a system for collection of student information for state and federal…

Describes new developments, such as Internet 2 and the Next Generation Internet (NGI) initiative, as well as other potential advances in high-performance applications that these new electronic resources will create. Relates these developments to the evolution of the Internet, and looks ahead to their likely impact beyond the higher education and…

Describes the relationship between Carnegie Mellon University libraries and Sirsi Corporation, their integrated library-management system vendor. Topics include Carnegie Mellon's expertise in library automation research and development; and three primary elements of the alliance: research, including user protocols, surveys, and focus groups;…