Discusses the formation of a consortium of five technical colleges formed to counter the threat of school closure. States that the colleges were effective in averting shut-down, but planned changes failed, perhaps due to lack of belief in a common central mission and vision for the college consortium. (Contains 21 references.) (NB)

Describes the initial results of a survey sent to colleges and universities that was conducted to better understand the range and scope of collaborative computer networking activities between elementary and secondary schools and postsecondary institutions. Examples of statewide networks as well as local and regional consortia are described. (LRW)

This study conducted at the State University of New York at Albany compares methods of providing access to diverse points of view as represented by journals indexed in "Alternative Press Index." Examines local subscriptions, resource-sharing consortia that include expedited interlibrary loan systems, and four electronic full-text…

Discusses the role of consortia in academic libraries, specifically the Illinois Digital Academic Library (IDAL), and describes a study conducted by the IDAL that investigated issues surrounding full text database research including stability of content, vendor communication, embargo periods, publisher concerns, quality of content, linking and…

This paper examines library network activity in the United States and the past, present, and future roles of the federal government in nationwide library networking. The first chapter describes the history and development of library networks and defines terms used in the report. An examination of the current status of networks in the second…

The continuing education of professors is becoming an issue for college and university administrators as educational institutions confront a work force that will not significantly change for the next 10 to 15 years. A two-part study was conducted to investigate activity in the area of professional development for mid-career faculty. The first part…

Thirty-four Hispanic bibliographic projects were surveyed to determine possible members of a consortium that could establish a Hispanic data base. Sixty-five percent of the projects focus on Hispanics in the United States ("primary" projects), thus filling a need not met by traditional bibliographic institutions. Most have professional…

METRO II, a regional metropolitan computer consortium, was developed to provide for joint computer services in five school districts with a combined population of 150,000 students. To effect this consortium approach, each of the districts, already with sophisticated EDP, must analyze current systems and project its anticipated needs to fit the…

Project Renewal assessed the needs of persons aged 60 and over in the districts served by Highland Community College, Kishwaukee College, and Rock Valley College (Illinois), with special focus on the role of educational institutions in meeting those needs. Through interinstitutional cooperation by the three community colleges and Northern Illinois…

The purpose of this paper is to define HETFIRE (the title of a report by the Higher Education Task Force on Improvement and Reform in American Education), and to identify and discuss the key elements contained in HETFIRE. The task force was established in 1972 to determine and conceptualize the best thinking of the higher education teacher…

The extent to which computers are presently used for instructional purposes is surveyed. The evaluation of computers and the more recent development of computers for education are traced. The growth of computer-assisted instruction centers and instructional computer languages is described. Computers, terminals, telecommunications, computer…

W. James Popham suggests that instructional development will die on college and university campuses due to the lack of sufficient commitment. In light of this, this article traces the development and implementation of an instructional development program in Nebraska that uses a consortium approach. Discussion revolves around the consortium, design…

Existing data indicate that there is a serious gap between the statewide needs and demands of Michigan citizens for off-campus instructional services and the present pattern of services being provided by Michigan colleges and universities. It is also apparent that there is a need for more complete information on existing programs and about the…

Analyzed annual electronic journal usage data for the NorthEast Research Library (NERL) consortium. Discusses the high degree of skew in journal use; describes results of a cluster analysis that revealed three distinct groups of institutions based on journal use; and recommends that institutions consider their consortial membership and organize…

Describes the development and outcome of a cooperative computerization effort involving nine public and university museums. The discussion covers the project goals, data development and analysis, and contributions resulting form the project. Appendices provide the system data fields used and a comparison between automation of library and museum…