Discussion of the NREN (National Research and Education Network) and issues of access focuses on the role of the public library. Highlights include current uses of the Internet; resource sharing; guidelines for public library service; availability of the Internet and NREN through public libraries; and a sidebar that lists sources of further…

Describes a study of the online search service at a university in Saudi Arabia which used personal interviews and questionnaires to evaluate the demand from faculty in different institutions and departments and to discover which subjects were requested the most. Guidelines for improvements to the service are proposed. (Contains seven references.)…

Uses statistics from the Federal-State Cooperative System for Public Library Data to describe the distribution of librarians with master's degrees from graduate library education programs accredited by the American Library Association by size of population served and by state. Implications of these data are suggested, and discussion questions are…

Reviews the 1992 literature on CD-ROM and its impact on libraries. An international perspective is offered; topics include pricing issues, industry reorganization, effects on library policies and practices, U.S. government publishing, and the multimedia market. A bibliography of 26 books and 388 articles, with a subject guide, is included.…

Provides a history from 1926 to the present of interlibrary lending services for scientific and technical literature in Great Britain. The British Library Document Supply Centre's development, current state, and future plans are described, including the availability of its services in North America. (Contains 14 references.) (EAM)

Describes EasyNet, a gateway service that allows users access to over 900 databases. Use of EasyNet at the University of Richmond (Virginia) libraries is explained, search strategies are discussed, problems with the price structure are examined, and its use both as an end-user service and for mediated searching is described. (LRW)

Reviews phases of Kellogg Foundation support for library-based adult career counseling programs as background to this special issue. The programs are (1) System of Interactive Guidance and Information (SIGI) at the University of California-Irvine, 1975-80; (2) Project LEARN (Lifelong Educational Assessment and Referral Network), 1980-86; and (3)…

Discusses the growth in nonbibliographic online databases and machine-readable data files (MRDF) that are accessed offline, and considers how libraries need to respond to the changing needs and expectations of researchers. Textual and numeric databases are described, and three possible levels of library service are outlined. (13 references) (LRW)

Describes the Chicago Public Library model for regional libraries and discusses the planning and implementation of the regional concept by three public libraries. Topics discussed include advantages of the regional approach, criteria for location, levels of services offered, and guidelines for deciding whether the regional approach is appropriate…

Discusses optical character recognition (OCR) for use with MS-DOS microcomputers. Cost effectiveness is considered, three types of software approaches to character recognition are explained, hardware and operation requirements are described, possible library applications are discussed, future OCR developments are suggested, and a list of OCR…

Discusses multimedia/hypermedia information delivery and the effects of new technological developments; describes hypermedia applications, including PROJECT EMPEROR-I; considers the use of multimedia technology for end-user information delivery and its influence on library and information systems and services; and suggests possible future trends.…

Describes a plan developed by the Phoenix Public Library that involved all librarians working in branches in defining what constitutes excellence in professional performance in the areas of collection development, reference and reader's advisory services, and community interaction. Characteristics related to excellence are identified, and…

Describes an unobtrusive study of the ability of professional librarians to deal with factual questions that was conducted at Illinois State University. Evaluation of the accuracy of responses is discussed, the responsiveness and helpfulness of librarians is examined, attitude scores are described, and implications for improving reference service…

Suggests that the main reason for the presumed surplus of librarians is that these professionals refuse to defend, let alone expand, their territorial boundaries from "experts" who decide results independently of library staffs and budgets. Argues that librarians should provide better service, rather than encouraging self-service and that certain…

Provides an annotated bibliography of books: girls perceptions of their bodies, excellence in library services to young adults, adolescence in America, evaluating and reviewing childrens books, and connecting young adults and libraries. (PEN)