Discussion of efforts in Canada to support print disabled users focuses on the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) Library's national network (VISUNET: CANADA) that supports the premise of a virtual library. Describes international collaborative efforts among libraries to better serve print disabled users. (LRW)

Describes the results of a survey of public service librarians conducted by the Queens Borough Public Library to determine their confidence levels of using electronic resource to answer reference questions. Results demonstrated high confidence levels in using the library's online catalog and lower confidence in using the Internet. (Author/LRW)

Summarizes Carol Kuhlthau's research on the information search process. Discusses how Kuhlthau's model of students' information search process (ISP) has been integrated into a course at Arizona State University and is being used experimentally as a training tool in the library's reference services. Selected student responses to research process…

Includes the following international reports: International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions; Special Libraries Association; and Trends and Issues in Library and Information Services in Canada, 1998. (AEF)

Describes characteristics needed by online research librarians to be effective online searchers. Highlights include basic computer skills; expertise in at least one professional online service; ability to search the Web; professional development; people skills; the ability to conduct a good reference interview; and project management skills. (LRW)

Outlines the classical digital library model, which is derived from traditional practices of library and information science professionals, as an alternative to the database retrieval model. Reports preliminary results from an evaluation study of library and information professionals and endusers involved with primary care medicine. (AEF)

Explores the feasibility of a centralized, networked reference service in a library setting by comparing traditional reference services at the County of Los Angeles Public Library with a commercial inbound call center. Discusses costs and efficiency when librarians answer questions able to be handled by paraprofessionals. (Author/LRW)

Discusses digital library planning in light of Internet commerce and technological innovation in marketing and customer relations that are transforming user expectations about Web sites that offer products and services. Topics include user self-sufficiency; personalized service; artificial intelligence; collaborative filtering; and electronic…

Describes the evolution of the Louisiana State University Digital Library, highlighting its differences from comparable tools at other institutions (a local database plus a framework designed for distribution and growth), content, and future plans. (PEN)

Describes a study at Pennsylvania State University Harrisburg in which cost-benefit analysis (CBA) was used to examine the cost effectiveness of an electronic database. Concludes that librarians can use the results of CBA studies to justify budgets and acquisitions and to provide insight into the true costs of providing library services. (PEN)

Analyses academic digital reference services in institutions categorized as Master's (Comprehensive) Universities by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching that offer undergraduate and master's degree education within the framework of diffusion of innovation theory. Focuses on the extent and rate of diffusion, library…

Describes the implementation of an electronic reserve collection at the Portland State University library. Topics include a survey of other libraries who had started electronic reserve collections; the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA); copyright and intellectual property issues; and a list of helpful Web sites. (LRW)

Discussion of the role of academic libraries focuses on a study that proposed and tested a model to explore the use of academic libraries. Investigated service quality factors, resources, and user characteristics, and concludes that use is influenced most by a user's perceived familiarity with the library and its resources. (Author/LRW)

Identifies issues involved with the convergence and/or integration of library, computing, and information technology services in Australian universities. Investigates the impacts of integration of services on university libraries and their clients and recommends strategies for the successful management of convergence and integration involving…

Discusses the results of a survey of academic member libraries of the ARL (Association of Research Libraries) that investigated changes in reference services over the last three years and how electronic resources have impacted them. Topics include remote users; email reference; and live virtual reference. (LRW)