Describes a study conducted at the University of Rhode Island library that identified students' preferences and effectiveness using CD-ROMs. A questionnaire was used to ask students their preferences, confidence levels, skills, and training in searching CD-ROM databases as well as their satisfaction with CD-ROM services. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of the need to advocate for library services to young people focuses on the role of school and public libraries in children's lives from birth through age 5 and from 10 through 14. Brain development, family intervention, children's attitudes and self-expectations, and state and local elements are discussed. (LRW)

Provides a background of the National Science Foundation's NSDL (National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Digital Library) which includes three tracks: collections, services, and targeted research. Discusses challenges and opportunities for elementary and secondary school library media specialists and teachers. (LRW)

Discusses access to information concerning environmental issues in Canada and the United States. Highlights include the cross-disciplinary nature of the field; sources of environmental information, including scientific and corporate sources and reviews; government literature; the Canadian Access to Information Act; electronic databases; and the…

Compares, contrasts, and critiques predictions that have been made about the future of research libraries, focusing on the impact of technology on the library's role and users' needs. The discussion includes models for the adaptation of new technologies that may assist in library planning and change. (38 references) (CLB)

Reviews issues identified by the White House Conference on Library and Information Services that relate to the needs of youth and offers specific suggestions for ways in which libraries can meet those needs. Proposed federal legislation is discussed, and a checklist designed to assess gaps at the state and local levels is provided. (CLB)

Describes a bibliographic instruction program developed at Rochester Institute of Technology to familiarize faculty with the electronic information retrieval services available through the library. The program highlights four areas: (1) historical review; (2) local connections, including the online catalog; (3) bibliographic connections, including…

Issues related to prison libraries are discussed in six articles. Topics covered include the history of American penitentiary ideology; standards for prison libraries; the controversy as to whether prison libraries should serve prisoners or be used as penological tools; and the lack of knowledge about prison libraries within the general library…

Discusses areas of confusion concerning the role of public libraries that endanger the existence of public libraries. It is argued that the future of the public library depends on its responsiveness to the needs of the people that such libraries were created to serve, and suggestions for achieving this state are offered. (CLB)

Identifies factors that reduce the effectiveness of computers as intermediaries and discusses possible negative effects on user satisfaction and the interaction between users and librarians. A set of guidelines for the improvement of online catalogs, based on user needs and abilities, is presented. (41 references) (CLB)

Discussion of the role of the school library media specialist focuses on how to diagnose information needs. Highlights include diagnostic processes for individuals and for groups; the reference interview; needs assessment; neutral questions; determining user preferences; client limitations; and evaluation. (eight references) (LRW)

Discussion of developments in Nigerian higher education focuses on library services and user expectations. Topics include library automation; currency and timeliness; physical environment; preservation and conservation of library materials; information management; user education; translations to overcome language barriers; and the role of the…

Reports results of a recent national survey that examined the availability and variety of services provided to multicultural populations by medium and large public libraries. Highlights include measuring multicultural activity; planning for new services; staffing; languages; literacy and English-as-a-Second-Language programs; and barriers to…

Discusses the basic functions of library systems and their knowledge transfer role in modern societies. Four types of library systems that could arise from new technologies are identified: polymedia, electronic, digital, and virtual. Each of these systems is described, their distinguishing features identified, and their implications discussed.…

Considers the expanding educational role of health sciences librarians in both academic centers and in hospitals resulting from influences of new educational models and new technology. Topics addressed include undergraduate health sciences education; continuing education; new technology and medical informatics; library educational programs;…