Explores the role of scenarios (or use-oriented design representations) in the Afya project (which aims to improve health information and services for Black women) as a participatory action research (PAR) tool for studying information seeking and use across the "digital divide." (AEF)

Alienation theory was applied to a study of information behavior among 51 janitors. Results showed that they lack an informal information network because of their work schedule, and a perception that their neighbors are undesirable associates and no more informed than they are. (34 references) (EAM)

Discussion of electronic information products for the humanities focuses on users in Italy. Databases are discussed; a user survey of La Sapienza University Arts Faculty is described; an example of research using two databases, FRANCIS and Philosopher's Index, is given; and Italian products and projects for the humanities are reviewed. (15…

Compared caregivers (N=31) in telephone peer support network and caregivers (N=35) listening to telephone informational lectures. Both groups showed increases in information, perceived social support, satisfaction with social supports. Lecture participants showed greater information gain and more frequent emotional support from family and friends;…

Describes an examination of the information seeking behavior of humanists in a small, interdisciplinary group. The findings include when and how these scholars employ online databases, reference librarians, archivists, special collections librarians, formal bibliographies, and other information sources. Further research is suggested and the…

Describes a study that explored differences in users' and nonusers' perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of online bibliographic searching. The discussion covers the relationship between perceptions about online systems and decisions to use such systems, and the implications of user perceptions of benefits of online searching for user…

Lists resources to help community colleges integrate international education into their programs and services. Identifies consortia concerned with international education and sources of grants and information. Describes Brevard Community College's (Florida) international education efforts. Discusses specific implications for general education.…

Forty special education teachers rated usefulness and preferences concerning software evaluation information. Highest usefulness ratings were given to information on hardware compatibility, appropriateness for students, and software operation and use. The most preferred information source was software tryout, followed by software…

Reports the results of a survey that examined social science researchers' preferred sources of information and the homogeneity of the group in their use of information sources. Information sources discussed include citation, abstracts, and indexes; journals; consults and conferences; book reviews; library staff, tools, and services; and private…

To study whether children profit from use of explanatory analogies to acquire information from expository text, 24 five-year-old kindergartners and 34 seven-year-old second graders listened to and had to recall texts with and without such analogies. Analogies provided assistance in information acquisition; the effect was stronger for older…

Surveys over 700 Iowa farmers regarding their use of teletext and videotex technologies. Finds that for younger, higher-income farmers, these technologies are emerging as a "best source" for relatively perishable or highly volatile information like market prices; otherwise, these technologies complement rather than replace existing…

Describes the process of question referral in California's second-level reference centers where questions are referred by public librarians, and provides examples of questions and sources typical of humanities research. Topics include the varied clientele and the use of databases, reference files, library collections, organizations, special…

Lists and discusses sources of child welfare materials for the historical researcher: general histories, reference guides, catalogs, bibliographies, directories, abstracts, indexes, and electronic services. Also listed are guides to archives containing--among other items--manuscripts, documents, social agency records, and oral history transcripts.…

College trustees can enhance their supervision of endowment funds by forming networks with their counterparts from similar institutions, developing quick and inexpensive ways to share information that, while not confidential, might be difficult and expensive to find and interpret through other means. Generally, institutions' endowments are not…

Discusses corporate sponsorships as a new source of library funding. Highlights include maintaining the library mission, visible endorsement of organizations, use of written guidelines and contracts, and the traditional library role as a "bankable strength." A sidebar describes the Fund for America's Libraries, a source of information on…