Discusses library resources for genealogical research, including bibliographies of family histories, guides to genealogical resources, periodicals, indexes, CD-ROM products, electronic bulletin boards, and nonprofit services. An annotated list of 13 titles for a basic collection is included. (MES)

Argues that making agricultural information produced by the federal government in electronic formats available through private vendors may lead to inequitable access for its users and challenges the federal government's role in the dissemination of agricultural information. An information public for agricultural information is defined, and…

An analysis of the state of medical informatics, the application of computer and information technology to biomedicine, looks at trends and concerns, including integration of traditionally distinct enterprises (clinical information systems, financial information, scholarly support activities, infrastructures); informatics career choice and…

Discusses problems encountered in creating a subject thesaurus for the "Ethnographic Bibliography of North America" that is adequate for both print and CD-ROM formats. Topics discussed include postcoordination versus precoordination of terms; precision and recall; natural language versus controlled vocabulary; free-text searching; and…

Lists the speakers and summarizes the issues addressed for 12 panel sessions on topics related to networking, including libraries and national networks, federal national resources and energy programs, multimedia issues, telecommuting, remote image serving, accessing the Internet, library automation, scientific information, applications of Z39.50,…

Discussion of problems that organizations face regarding the selection, management, and accession of information services focuses on the extent to which document information systems (DIS) and text management systems (TMS) can improve the management and accessibility of information sources. Examples of TMS applications are described. (11…

Discussion of multimedia databases in education focuses on the development of an adaptable database in The Netherlands that uses optical storage media to hold the audiovisual components. Highlights include types of applications; types of users; accessibility; adaptation; an object-oriented approach; levels of the database architecture; and…

Explores the benefits and limitations of the World Wide Web in the context of projects taking place at the University of Virginia Library and the university's Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities. A gateway between the Web and PAT, a text retrieval program based on SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language), is described. (Contains…

Describes the latest modifications being made to OASIS, a front-end enhancement to the University of California's MELVYL online union catalog. Highlights include the X Windows interface; multiple database searching to act as an information network; Lisp implementation for flexible data representation; and OASIS commands and features to help…

Discusses designating the Library of Congress (LC) as a national library. Topics addressed include problems with Congress; costs of serving the information needs of Congress; funds for electronic conversion; access to LC resources; user fees; reallocating federal library aid; and governance of LC. (LRW)

Discussion of corporate library services and the role of the librarian focuses on the recognition and tracking of issues of potential significance to the corporation, or issues management. Topics addressed include environmental scanning of relevant literature, and the use of databases to track issues. (16 references) (LRW)

Describes the history of automation at the Harvard University Art Museums, the collaboration between the museum and a vendor in developing a collections management system, and the current status of the project from the museum's perspective. Topics include imaging technology and image management; file structure; and management of change. (LRW)

Offers brief, critical reviews of recent scholarly and general works of interest to reference workers in university libraries. Titles covered include dictionaries, databases, religion, literature, music, dance, art and architecture, business, political science, social issues, and history. Brief descriptions of new editions and supplements for…

California State University is exploring use of advancing technology to accommodate a student population that will grow rapidly in the near future. Demonstration projects under way include multicampus databases of art and biology teaching materials; an electronically delivered business administration program incorporating courses from different…

Describes the development of a local area network (LAN) at Loma Linda University that allows remote access for both IBM and Macintosh microcomputers to CD-ROMs. Topics discussed include types of networks; fiber optic technology; networking CD-ROM drives; remote access; modems; CD-ROM databases; memory management; interface software; and future…