Identifies the importance of studying those western frontier communities which survived several boom bust cycles. Describes several South Pass Wyoming mining towns and urges that studies such as these be used by teachers to investigate the dynamic forces which shaped their towns and cities. (KO)

Assessing user needs is vital to planning and development of collection and service policies in depository libraries. Community surveys, published surveys, library internal reports, and databases are alternative sources of user information. A group process, such as the Nominal Group Technique, which creates a listening forum, may be more effective…

When integrated appropriately into the curriculum, technology can support the achievement of specific learning outcomes. To help newcomers to technology, the paper lists professional journals, technology organizations, and quality software and multimedia catalogs and presents a list of strategies teachers can use to evaluate whether technology can…

Argues that K-12 media educators and librarians should become vocal advocates for Internet connection in their elementary and secondary schools. Topics include K-12 uses of the Internet; Internet resources; FrEdMail (Free Educational Electronic Mail); and a BITNET computer conference. Appendices list computer conferences, networking contracts, and…

Provides several examples of drawbacks encountered when technological improvements are applied to the public access of library databases. Suggests that technological advances all carry some trade-off and that they should be employed cautiously. (NRP)

Discusses the use of encyclopedias by students and considers the role of the library media specialist in teaching appropriate encyclopedia use. Topics addressed include problems with plagiarism; the need to improve assignments; the information seeking process; becoming critical users of information; and the quality of information sources. (three…

Presents five articles and a company resource directory to help librarians successfully incorporate technology into school libraries. Discusses actual situations, examines student needs, and gives advice to help librarians with library automation systems, videodiscs, library security systems, media retrieval, networking CD-ROMs, and locating…

Provides the history and current status of environmental information (EI) and a bibliography of sources pertaining to the historical development of environmentalism in the United States. Discusses federal government and nongovernmental initiatives, print literature, on-line databases, CD-ROM databases, access to and availability of EI sources. (92…

Discussion of the scope of electronic information resources available to libraries includes examples of several new sources. Solutions to increasing patron demand for materials are considered, including interlibrary loan, for-profit companies and agencies, and services that allow patrons to request materials directly. Issues of staff training,…

Use of energy-conservation technology and utility rebates can yield millions of dollars in savings and significant environmental benefits. The University of Rochester (New York) will halve its energy use within five years. Its experiences with consumption management, supply management, and student involvement may be useful to other colleges.…

Discusses the development of reference services in developing countries and describes some of the functions of libraries and information services. Topics discussed include meeting users' needs; criteria for the planning and organization of services; and technology, including electronic dictionaries, computerized community information files,…

Discussion of humanities research focuses on activities of the British Library Research and Development Department (BLRDD), particularly the Humanities Information Review Panel. The influence of technology on humanities research is considered, including word processing, greater availability of computer networks, and the online public access…

Fundamental changes in the economic structure of library and information services are forcing a reexamination of values and policies. Technological advances are shifting the debate from "fee or free" services to broader issues; and changes in the way information is created, valued, and distributed are changing public- and private-sector…

Describes part of a research project in France involving the second-language acquisition of young children that focuses on the use of a computer augmented with a voice synthesizer. Topics addressed include written versus spoken language; multiple sources of information; self-correction; self-esteem; memory; and speed in the learning process.…

Parental knowledge of child sexual abuse and interest in educating themselves and their children for primary prevention was studied, via interviews with 51 mothers and 50 fathers of preschool and day-care center children. There were significant differences by sex of parent for sources of preferred information, preferred educators, and types of…