A combination of content creators, online vendors, other intermediaries, and librarians work to bring online information sources to end users. Although these interconnected parts are sometimes adversarial, the current information marketplace relies on interaction among them all. People have wondered what it is like on the other side. The author…

Explores the meanings that have been attached to the term "archival" and concludes that librarians participating in the national preservation effort use this term to mean permanent. Permanence is practically defined as storage for upwards of 100 years. Given this definition, the merits of microforms and optical disks as archival storage materials…

Describes some of the new roles and challenges librarians face with the development of new information technologies such as computer networks and document delivery systems. It is argued that librarians will increasingly fill the role of information intermediary as patrons take advantage of end-user systems. (12 references) (LAE)

Explores issues relating libraries, telecommunications, the Communications Act of 1934, the Federal Communications Commission, and the common carriers. Computer networking technologies and standards are discussed and progress in library networking is compared to the development of a planned national science network. Future public policy issues…

Argues that the growing use of technology is beginning to erode the free library ethic by blurring distinctions between commercial and not-for-profit information suppliers and fostering competition between and among various suppliers. It is suggested that libraries need to implement new entrepreneurially oriented management structures to cope with…

Argues that, because of its meteoric entrance into the library marketplace, too few institutions have reviewed the implications of CD-ROM before making their purchases. Issues that need to be considered are discussed, including funding, costs, equipment requirements, optimal locations for workstations, security and viruses, human resources, user…

Discusses the growing trend in aggregated article databases and includes individual views from a panel discussion. Highlights include publisher's embargoes of current content; views of academic libraries and of vendors; full-text issues; the Tasini v. New York Times Supreme Court case; consortial buying; and future possibilities. (LRW)

Discusses trends in the automated system marketplace with specific attention to online vendors and their customers: academic, public, school, and special libraries. Presents vendor profiles; tables and charts on computer systems and sales; and sidebars that include a vendor source list and the differing views on procuring an automated library…

Considers the role of librarians in the networked information age. Topics include contributions of librarians to information technology, including bibliographic utilities, online database searching services, and public access to electronic information; future challenges, including controlling costs; considering community objectives; and the…