"Library Journal's" fourth semiannual section on library automation provides basic and introductory articles on: remote public access to automated library systems, electronic bulletin boards, the online integrated automation system at the Oklahoma City public library, and buying a phone system. Tables include statistics on various…

Discusses the networking of image-based libraries of scientific and technical documents and the role of information professionals in the future of libraries and information access. Topics include commercial databanks, projects involving cooperation between technical publishers and universities, and the Internet and World Wide Web. (LRW)

Reviews recent trends in databases and online systems. Topics discussed include new access points for established databases; acquisitions, consolidations, and competition between vendors; European coverage; international services; online reference materials, including telephone directories; political and legal materials and public records;…

Examines decisions schools are faced with in terms of electronic reference materials selection. Discusses CD-ROM versus online technology; choosing the "suite" of software; blending equipment creatively; and costs. A chart highlighting prices, scope/coverage, and strengths for various vendors' databases is included. (AEF)

Provides an overview of library automation in Minnesota. Topics include regional public library systems; library automation vendors; multitype library systems; postsecondary and academic libraries; state government libraries; the Internet; telecommunications and statewide online system legislation and funding; and state library agency involvement…

Purchasing contributes significantly to an organization and to its business strategy only if its activities and contracts with suppliers are guided by support criteria for the final products that the organization sells. Outlined in this paper are four innovative purchasing strategies: capitation contracts; product life cycle cost contracts;…

Discusses developments at the U.S. Bureau of the Census. Includes strategies and changes for Census 2000, new information storage and retrieval systems, a new Internet subscription service offering enhanced access to selected Census Bureau databases, and the transfer of responsibility for the Census of Agriculture to the National Agricultural…

Maintains that the Internet offers services and opportunities for music teachers and students. Provides an overview of topics such as electronic mail, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Gopher, and the World Wide Web (WWW). Includes two lists of music resources available on the Internet. (CFR)

Describes the experiences of Rhode Island's Higher Education Library Information Network (HELIN) Consortium in purchasing electronic journals and databases. Discusses criteria and guidelines developed to help in the decision making process, including coverage, indexing, search features, help features, screen design, full text availability,…

Discusses the development of automated management systems for school library media centers. Suggests that schools of library and information science establish microcomputer laboratories containing state-of-the-art library management software and hardware that could be used for field work, inservices, and conferences. (TW)

This paper outlines the market developments, governmental promotion policies, and efforts by private industries for online database services in Japan since the late 1970s. The combination of these efforts over the years has resulted in an online database service market of US$20 billion annually, of which approximately one third is Western online…

The automation administrators of 49 recently automated libraries were interviewed regarding staff and user training for the systems. Discussion focuses on training objectives and procedures, timing and effectiveness, problems encountered, and factors necessary for training success. Vendor perspectives on library needs for detailed and customized…

Asserts that commercial online computer services provide a wealth of features that can be helpful in teaching political science. Discusses four commercial services and recommends the use of Prodigy because of its ability to link one article to other articles of related content. (CFR)

Describes the use of DIALOG and Classmate by students at McDowell High School (Texas). Requirements for accessing DIALOG are explained; methods of teaching using DIALOG are described, including planning search strategy and the use of small groups; and problems are reviewed, including supervision time, cost, and limited accessibility. (three…

The Canadian university library members of two consortial e-journal deals were surveyed t o determine how many of the corresponding print journals had been cancelled as a result of their participation in the online package purchase. The survey indicated that the number of concurrent print subscriptions held by the libraries had notably decreased.…