Describes the Educational Resources Center at Clarkson College in Potsdam, NY, which opened in October of 1980 and makes extensive use of the new technologies. (CHC)

This discussion of the impact of electronic developments on the dissemination of information and the role of the library argues that a central role as a switching center and information consultant will be critical to the survival of the library in the rapidly evolving electronic information environment. (CHC)

Considers changes that technology could make in libraries in the future. Highlights include digital formats; centralization of libraries and library services; the role of librarians; competition between libraries and for-profit information vendors; the publication process; the integrity of information in electronic format; costs; and access to…

Describes a proposed National Research and Education Network designed to meet the needs of scholars and researchers, and discusses the technical and political aspects of such a network. The possible impacts on library roles and services are explored, and the need to extend existing networks to include public, school, and rural libraries is…

Discusses new information technologies which offer libraries increased opportunities to provide innovative services: linking automated technical processing systems with public systems to provide more timely information; using the expanding services of subscription agencies as a channel for electronic publications delivery; online catalogs; and…

Discussion of the influences of technology on the publishing industry focuses on locally loaded databases and database licensing to help integrate a variety of data into one system for libraries. Local online systems are described, and the responsibilities and roles of the library, the publisher, and the vendor are discussed. (LRW)

Argues that reference services will not only survive changes brought about by new technologies, but will be improved and enhanced as a result. Examples given include online public access catalogs, automated record-keeping operations, CD-ROM as an information storage medium, the continuing need for intermediaries in online searching, and copyright…

Librarians should become more active in designing information systems so that their extensive knowledge of how people articulate their information needs and evaluate their findings can be incorporated into new systems. These systems would be more responsive to user needs than those driven by the machine or data processing mindset. (EM)

Provides an overview of the various roles of state libraries and discusses several issues of concern to all state libraries: the role of the library within state government; resources sharing; school library development; public library development; automation consulting; continuing education for library professionals; and the leadership role of…

Reports on the 1991 Special Libraries Association (SLA) Annual Conference. Issues addressed include the need for innovation through the creation and adoption of paradigms; new developments in computers; library education, including continuing education; operations and services of the SLA; and new roles for the future in recruitment, ethics, and…