Describes changes in services of the United Technologies Corporation Information Network from a traditional library system to a virtual system of World Wide Web sites, a document-delivery unit, telephone and e-mail reference, and desktop technical support to provide remote access. Staff time, security, and licensing issues are addressed.…

Describes the research objectives, rationale, methodology, and findings of a model program developed at the Northwestern University Library, which examined whether online catalogs require instruction and, if so, how that instruction would be best delivered. (CLB)

Discusses developments in video-based information systems, including interactive and digital videodisc, videotex, satellite broadcasting, and expanded uses of videocassettes and cable television in interactive mode. Highlights include role of academic library media centers, videodisc and optical discs, videotex, other video-based information…

National, state and local standards in existence for institutions for mentally retarded, mental health patients, and youthful and adult offenders are considered. Standards used by state library agencies in institutional library planning, standardization of standards, and positive and negative aspects of current standards are discussed. A 47-item…

Current trends in public library reference service include use of online systems; budget constraints in public sector; increased service; use, training, and supervision of paraprofessionals; centralized organization of reference service; participation in management of reference services; and more realistic attempts at measurement and evaluation of…

Describes the development, operation, and services of a special unit at the Chicago Public Library that provides reference and research services to professional librarians. Specific reference materials, online databases, and current awareness services are covered. The selection and acquisition of library materials is discussed in some detail. (21…

Provides an overview of developments in health sciences libraries leading to the virtual library. Highlights include online searching; integrated library systems; networked resources; the expansion of interlibrary loans and document delivery systems; the Integrated Academic Information Management System; and the role of the National Library of…

Examines the changing role of reference and bibliographic instruction librarians in undergraduate education. Topics include teaching students how to find information; faculty resistance to library instruction; students' ability to evaluate information sources, including information on the Internet; and computer-based instruction. (LRW)

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…

Discusses academic libraries, digital environments, increasing competition, the relationship between service quality and user satisfaction, and user surveys. Describes the SERVQUAL model that measures service quality and user satisfaction in academic libraries; considers gaps between user expectations and managers' perceptions of user…

Examination of the library-learner dynamic within an environment of change defines literacy broadly and relates it to educational design. Libraries are placed within overall structure of the national education system and resulting cooperative efforts are described, as well as attributes of the adult and related stages of life development. (EM)

Three key areas for resource sharing of nonprint materials through information or electronic networks--bibliographic access, interlibrary loan, collection development--are discussed from the perspective of current and proposed media networking activities within a national consortium of film and video libraries and its members. Eighteen sources are…

Describes integration of media center, library, computer systems, and common distribution systems for nonprint resources at California State University-Chico. Highlights include administration; functions (acquisition, selection and collection development, production activities, circulation, reserve); formats (film, video, filmstrip, slides,…

Eleven articles discuss the response of library users and personnel to automation. Topics covered include computerized reference services, online public access catalogs, paraprofessional staff perceptions of technology, organizational and managerial impacts of automation, workshops on new technology, gender differences in motivation to manage and…

Discusses telefacsimile technology and its possible uses in libraries. Applications for interlibrary loan, document retrieval, and reference services are described, speed and cost of service are examined, user satisfaction is discussed, and recent technological developments are reviewed, including the use of telefacsimile with microcomputers and…