Updates an October 1987 article on full-text databases. Comparisons of numbers of titles online, types of full-text files, currency, multipart articles, selection criteria, completeness, and editorial policies demonstrates much improvement but shows many companies still do not include every article. A chart lists 13 full-text features of 10…

Defines and discusses competitive intelligence for business decision making and suggests the use of online databases to start looking for relevant information. The best databases to use are described, designing the search strategy is explained, reviewing and editing results are discussed, and the presentation of results is considered. (LRW)

Presents guidelines developed by the ICOLC (International Coalition of Library Consortia) regarding vendor contracts and negotiations that involve electronic information resources. Highlights include content issues, including HTML, use of printers, and use of multimedia; and platform issues, including system architecture, access control, security…

Reviews online materials and educational resources, including: interactive scientific and space phenomena; program to help older learners; tutor service; test-preparation materials; interactive aquarium lesson plans; digital media archive package; academic support service for college students; security and administration software; network…

Presents a guide for school librarians to the terminology involving different types of Internet connections. Highlights include determining how the Internet will be used; organizations that offer free access; commercial online services; Internet access providers; dial-up versus dedicated connections; costs; and hardware and software…

Discusses trends in distance education in higher education, describes the changing profile in the growth of Web-based delivery of courses, and compares two leading software suppliers for Web-based courseware: WebCT and Blackboard CourseInfo. Considers the transition from face-to-face to online instruction, library instruction, and mid-course…

Library book vendors are facing new realities in the 21st century. Changes in continuations, firm order placement, value-added services, approval plans, retrospective collection development, and database creation and maintenance are being effected in an effort to keep current customers and attract new ones. Those changes and the subsequent shift…

Outlines the stages in the decision-making process for libraries acquiring optical data disk systems, including the establishment of a project manager or task force, feasibility studies, creating a planning document, hardware and software evaluation, devising processes and policies, and analyzing contracts. (CLB)

Data were gathered at nine academic and research libraries to study processing components of nine integrated systems for support of bibliographic and item-record creation and maintenance. System support for basic processing functions, flexibility, ease of use, and effect of system design on work flow are examined and results are charted. (CDD)

Summarizes the growth of databases, including major milestones, issues, and trends of the past 20 years, during which time the database/online industry had become a large and thriving segment of the information industry. A time line overview of database developments from 1951 to 1985 is appended. (42 references) (EJS)

Discusses the use of electronic portfolios in higher education. Highlights include availability of the Web and databases; the growth of vendors in this area; benefits to students, faculty, and administrators, including statistics for accreditation; data storage; data security; certification issues; and a list of ePortfolio tools and resources.…

Reviews factors that should affect the decision to automate a school media center and offers suggestions for the automation process. Topics discussed include getting the library collection ready for automation, deciding what automated functions are needed, evaluating software vendors, selecting software, and budgeting. (CLB)

Discusses possible responses to the situation that arises when online searches by high school students result in references to materials that do not meet selection criteria for the school library. Responses to the article from six readers are also presented. (CLB)

Contends that, although technology offers communications options unavailable without an electronic superhighway, it is not a panacea for educators. Discusses technological change and the difficulty for schools to keep up with new developments. Includes recommended reading resources and a selected list of K-12 educational networks. (CFR)

Discusses the use of multimedia equipment for distance education. Topics addressed include use of the Internet; distance learning for educators; and cable television and/or fiber optics, including interactive television and satellite technology. A sidebar lists online and telecommunications providers. (LRW)