Describes a project at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore that enables at-risk children to develop Internet skills. Discusses the recruitment and training of volunteer tutors, promotion of the project, and peer recruitment. A sidebar provides a list of Internet sites used in the lessons. (AEF)

Describes the development of the French Minitel videotex system and reports results of a survey of Internet users regarding the use of Minitel. Telecommunications and government involvement are discussed; business, political, cultural, and sociological perspectives are considered; Minitel use in libraries is reviewed; and expansion in the United…

Outlines the Whole Service approach to developing a plan to meet young adult needs in libraries. Balancing service with increasingly restricted staff and funds is considered; a worksheet that addresses needs (recreation, school/homework support, personal information) and resources (physical space, staff, collection, special activities) is…

Addresses the role of professional associations in the process of organizational change in academic libraries. Topics discussed include user-centered organizations and associations; the literature on organizational change; the roles of associations; associations as change agents; and how associations can assist in the transition to user-centered…

Discussion of adult literacy and the role of public libraries focuses on the development of Adult Learning Centers based on experiences at the Hempstead Public Library (New York). The use of self-guided computer-assisted instruction is explained, and benefits are described. (LRW)

Describes a study which linked the misconduct of proposing, performing, and reporting academic research to librarians' perceptions of service quality; explores implications of fraud for library collections and information services; and discusses factors meriting further research. Tables present examples of sources in which those implicated in…

In 1993, the Phoenix Public Library's Special Needs Center conducted a needs assessment by surveying current and past library users and staff to determine what improvements in services were needed for patrons having all types of disabilities. The needs assessment process, general findings, and rewards of engaging in this project are described.…

Examines and compares the costs and response times of traditional interlibrary loan services and four commercial document delivery suppliers based on a study conducted by Vassar College libraries through the OCLC Interlibrary Loan subsystem. Results are reported that indicate commercial services were usually no more efficient but were more…

Describes an approach to electronic document delivery which has evolved at Tilburg University (Netherlands), leading to the development of a system called Ariadne. Highlights include various generations of electronic document delivery systems; standards, including the work of the Group on Electronic Document Interchange; and a description of the…

Presents a study of staffing, services, budgets, collections, and facilities of small academic libraries and offers a statistical and demographic profile of a four-year liberal arts college library. Results are presented in tables, and an appendix lists coding sheets used for the study. (JMV)

Pathfinders help library patrons find information, develop research strategies, and learn about library resources and physical space. This article offers a format and construction guide to aid librarians in preparing readable and usable pathfinders. An appendix presents pathfinder format guidelines and a sample pathfinder. (Author/JMV)

Outlines techniques of utilizing interlibrary loan (ILL) statistics to establish productivity and staffing patterns to evaluate library services and reveal staffing needs. This article also presents results from an ILL workload and staffing study in Alabama academic libraries. Results are displayed in table form. (JMV)

Presents three articles that discuss customer service in libraries, with a focus on planning for service management, a customer service program for library staff, and a quality improvement process. Highlights include developing and implementing service strategies, dealing with requests, redefining work relationships, coworkers as customers,…

Describes several projects that integrate the Internet and specific Internet resources into undergraduate teaching and learning. Problems are discussed, including trying to retrieve specific and useful information, questions of reliability and accuracy of information, the need to become more user friendly, and demands on libraries for training and…

Considers the future of library instruction and addresses four main areas: (1) the reference/instruction relationship; (2) the vision of creating the self-sufficient user; (3) organizing library instruction as a curriculum; and (4) the need for significant outcomes. Examples from Association of Research Libraries members are included. (Author/LRW)