Like many young people, Aaron Schmidt loves electronic gadgets. But not for their own sake. He believes the future of libraries depends on how well we meet the needs of today's young adults, who are far more tech-fluent than most librarians. As reference librarian and all-around technology guru at Thomas Ford Memorial Library, Schmidt created the…

Description of community online systems focuses on a Freenet in Illinois called P.A.T.H. (Public Access to Heartland). Highlights include patron use; discussion groups and bulletin boards; electronic mail; reference questions; Freenet's place in public libraries; and sample reference questions answered by Freenet information providers. (five…

A research project sponsored by the Illinois State Library had two goals: to develop a set of mathematical models suitable for predicting the impact of alternative library network policies on network preformance, and to demonstrate through series of case studies that the methodology developed could feasibly be applied to real library networking…

The purpose of this study was to determine the current levels of automation and plans for future automation in state-supported, two-year community college libraries. A second purpose was to examine the impact of independent variables, such as enrollment and professional staff, on library automation. Eighty community college library directors and…

The need for timely, accurate, and locally relevant career information has been escalating. Within the last 15 years, computer-based systems have been developed that put occupational descriptions, labor market information, plus education, training, and financial aid information into formats usable by students and adults in school and nonschool…

This issue presents 42 articles that provide an overview of current reference services in all types of libraries in Illinois. Highlights include designing reference areas; policies and manuals; the reference interview; reference tools; automated databases; resource sharing; services to youth; services to special populations; and reference…