Describes a county library system's experience with a computerized information and referral system and highlights strengths and weaknesses of the systems. Strengths included the library maintaining control, with other agencies participating; using existing programs and databases where possible; and establishing copyright. Problems included not…

Discusses research on the process of introducing telecommunication technology in K-12 classrooms. To ensure parent and teacher involvement in Internet-based collaborative learning projects, a participatory design approach is examined that allows teachers to monitor and influence project design. This approach is selected because of its…

Discusses problems of preservation and conservation of library materials in the South Pacific, including environmental factors, insect and animal pests, and mishandling. Describes the situation in national, public, and academic libraries in the region; factors in planning library buildings to promote preservation; and preservation efforts at the…

Presents an algorithm that automatically extracts words and phrases containing geographic place names or characteristics from a text document and uses them as input to database functions that use spatial reasoning to approximate statistically the geoposition referenced in the text. Preliminary results and future work are discussed. (28 references)…

Explores how people with disabilities use computer technology, as well as the issues involved in using this technology to access electronically published materials. Topics discussed include definitions of disability; uses of adaptive technology; the physical environment; documentation, training, and support; problems in accessing electronic media;…

Explores obstacles to Internet usage, presents what is known about them, and considers strategies for avoiding or ameliorating their effects. Obstacles discussed include unrealistic expectations; lack of understanding of the effects of organizational culture on networking; lack of awareness of social effects of networking technologies; and lack of…

Describes the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) and the inclusion of abstracting and indexing industry databases in OPACs. Topics addressed include the implications of including abstracting and indexing tape and CD-ROM products in OPACs; the need for standards allowing library systems to communicate with dissimilar CD-ROM products; and computer,…

Describes developments in library services that took place in Oman from 1970-90 and discusses the current status of library development. Topics discussed include the rapid social and economic development in Oman, the lack of human and physical resources, the lack of a national library, and deficiencies in school libraries. (five references) (LRW)

Describes the design of a customized online service at the Lister Hill Library (Alabama) that used a dial-in modem system to provide remote access to medical research materials. Problems with hardware and software incompatibility are discussed, user training is described, and the successful results are reviewed. (LRW)

Discussion of integrated learning systems (ILSs) stresses the role of the teacher and the necessity of adequate teacher training for successful implementation. Three implementation patterns are described: (1) using a group computer laboratory; (2) using an independent study laboratory; and (3) a distributed system. Problems with each method are…

Outlines a model for determining library collection use, incorporating prediction of future demand and cost analysis to assist collection development librarians determine whether weeding or remote storage is the most economically feasible way to address the space problem in libraries. (13 references) (EA)

Examines one academic library's experience with CD-ROMs distributed through the depository library program. Technical, financial, and psychological barriers that were overcome through library administration and staff efforts are described. Recommendations for improving GPO (Government Printing Office) services are offered. (Contains five…

Discusses the lack of library services in California, which has the lowest librarian to student ratio of any state in the nation. The need for standards for library accreditation, strategies for publicizing the conditions in California, and the effort to pass new legislation to generate support for California's school libraries are described. (KRN)

Outlines some of the issues that should be considered in defining and assessing the problems alleged to be encountered by overseas students in United Kingdom educational institutions. The bases for differences in student perceptions of programs of study, the influence of noneducational factors, and judgments about curriculum are discussed. (three…

Reports on a transaction log study of the online catalog at North Carolina State University-Raleigh that was conducted to determine users' searching behavior and the problems they experienced. Failure rates for various searches are examined, usage patterns are described, and results are compared with data from earlier studies. (seven references)…