Even a quick review of U.S. households, daycare centers, and preschools reveals widespread use of digital programs and products with young children. Research indicates that regardless of the hard technology that delivers these digital applications, their content most significantly affects the experience and outcomes. A primary question thus…

Considers causes of friction between librarians and computer support staff, including poor communications, dealing with patron discontent, management problems, difficulties in purchasing hardware and software, and difficulties with systems work. (LRW)

Discusses the use of barcoding as a method for measuring the frequency-of-use patterns of the bound journal collection at Northern Illinois University. Highlights include a team approach to planning; collection development; collection maintenance; hardware and software; and technological, economic, organizational, and political implications. (27…

This case study describes a low-budget interactive videodisc project that was developed for the Small Business Administration. Highlights include users' needs for easy access to information; system characteristics, including a touch screen; hardware; authoring system; and transfer of a slide show to videotape. (LRW)

Describes the results of a survey of public libraries that was conducted to identify digital technology projects. Highlights include kinds of collections being digitized (primarily photographs); costs; hardware and software used; experience levels of personnel; reasons for digitizing, including providing access to fragile materials; and technology…

Discusses adult learners, lifelong learning, and methods for teaching the use of technology based on experiences with graduate students at Duquesne University. Examines computer hardware, computing expertise, and access to the Internet and e-mail; and considers the debate over concentrating elements of technology-based instruction into one course…

Considers challenges facing librarians with federal government document collections, including changing formats and electronic dissemination of information. Highlights include public awareness, collection development, types of electronic materials, remote access, an annotated list of 10 significant government publications, and GPO (Government…

Describes the use of Compact Disc-Interactive (CD-I) and Commodore Dynamic Total Vision (CDTV) technology in school library media center reference services. CD-I and CDTV are compared to CD-ROM regarding hardware, editing, and software; and to videodisks regarding hardware, analog/digital, standardization, audio/video, and cost. (Contains 12…

Provides librarians who are responsible for implementing a new school library with an overview of the process. Topics include ordering circulating and reference books; computer hardware and software; supplies and other miscellaneous items, including other media formats such as videotapes; furniture and shelving; and a time line for planning. (LRW)

Examines the practical realities of upgrading Intel personal computers in libraries, considering budgets and technical personnel availability. Highlights include adding RAM; putting in faster processor chips, including clock multipliers; new hard disks; CD-ROM speed; motherboards and interface cards; cost limits and economic factors; and…

Suggests that, in reviewing software, educators should apply the following criteria within the context of their objectives and the students' needs: content; instructional presentation; demands placed on the learner; technical features; and documentation and management features. Concludes that integration of computer software with traditional means…

A switch to free open source software can minimize cost and allow funding to be diverted to equipment and other programs. For instance, the OpenOffice suite is an alternative to expensive basic application programs offered by major vendors. Many such programs on the market offer features seldom used in education but for which educators must pay.…

Discusses the place of computer science education in the high school curriculum and reports on a survey of schools in five states that investigated computer science teaching responsibilities, hardware and software use, programming languages, how teachers rank instructional resources, and how teachers rank opportunities for their own skill…

Provides answers to the questions Montessori teachers most often ask about the integration of computers into the curricula and classrooms. Gives hardware set-up suggestions, and software recommendations for different age levels, and suggested uses. (ET)

This case study describes the use of an information technology vendor conference to assure the smooth opening of a public library in Portland, Oregon. Vendors for hardware, telecommunications, integrated library systems, and networks met with library administration and staff to troubleshoot problems and share information and to ensure a timely…