Presents observations about developments in information technology that will influence the information industry and libraries of the future. Discusses search engine capabilities; push technology; electronic commerce; WebTV; and optical discs with links to Web sites. Ten figures provide illustrations and charts. (AEF)

Describes the development of a prototype Web-based outreach information system for a collection of educational resources in agriculture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Discusses distance education, student expectations, Web searching, testbed collections, metadata issues, indexing and searching full-text, and Dublin Core…

These four articles address issues related to teens and reading. Highlights include an interview with a young adult literature author; a community literature festival in St. Charles (Illinois) that introduces students to authors, poets, journalists, and storytellers; library services for youth in detention centers, including book discussion…

Explains videotex, discusses its usefulness in disseminating large quantities of information via computer, and describes the use of videotex at the Glaxo, Inc., library where it is used for a daily news service and newsletters. An evaluation of the videotex services is reported, including usage statistics and results of a library survey. (Contains…

Describes a study conducted at Illinois State University that compared the results achieved by library users searching the ERIC database on CD-ROM with the results achieved by individual and teamed skilled intermediaries. Evaluation of library services is discussed, patron search strategies are examined, and strategies for improving patron…

Discusses four areas in school library media programs that media specialists are expected to develop. Topics include promoting information literacy among students; knowing how to evaluate and use various information technologies; consulting with teachers to strengthen student learning and outcomes; and serving on school-based management…

Analyzes public policy and political issues that affect Indiana's library information services. Reviews the effects of these issues on Indiana's single statewide network created via a massive voluntary restructuring partnership between the Indiana State Library and 10 independent Library Service Authorities. An appendix presents Indiana's plan for…

Discusses emerging organizational structures of academic libraries and identifies core competencies for academic reference librarians, including a flexible attitude and approach toward technology, a high tolerance for rapid technological change, creativity, curiosity, communication skills, public relations savvy, and the ability to relate…

Reviews recent telecommunications activities in Maine. Highlights include state legislation that addresses regulatory developments; public utilities; public access through libraries; education networks, including elementary and secondary schools and higher education; Internet access; economic and community development; and the governor's…

Describes a new analytical tool, data envelope analysis (DEA) model, which can provide better understanding of the efficiency of academic research libraries. Reports the results of a study using 1994-1995 Association of Research Libraries statistics together with expert judgments, in terms of constraints, to make the model more applicable to the…

Proposes that training paraprofessionals for routine reference desk service is an inexpensive way for libraries to allow professionals to address tasks such as long-range planning, policy making, and sophisticated information retrieval. Suggests that training should focus on specific questions that are likely to come up and on appropriate…

Presents a tongue-in-cheek analysis of how to improve young adult services in libraries. Highlights include funding; providing technology that includes Internet access; comfortable furniture; food; longer evening hours; research needs; staff attitudes; job and volunteer service opportunities; restrictive rules and fees; and better books and media.…

This article aims to suggest answers to two questions: What should be the primary purpose of information services in general and libraries in particular as we enter the new millennium? Assuming such a purpose, what array of services should the library be prepared to provide? These questions are approached mainly from the academic library…

Information Power is the latest edition of library media program guidelines to be developed, and it is from these guidelines that school library media programs should be evaluated. This research examines the extent that library media programs in special settings, such as schools for the hearing impaired, met the guidelines as established in…

Describes a project at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas that evaluated the effects of an unmediated document delivery service. Discusses interlibrary loans, staffing, user satisfaction, choice of document supplier, and user training; and suggests questions to consider when deciding whether to offer this service. (LRW)