The challenge in protecting the collections of the Library of Congress is to sustain and preserve these collections while making them maximally available to Congress and the American people. This article discusses types of materials in the collection; how the collections are made accessible; protection controls; and the framework of the Library of…

Discusses government directives linking availability and dissemination of information resources and improved public access with results (strategic planning, goals/objectives, performance indicators, customer service, standards/plans) and other issues (funding and performance-based budgets, government and deficit reduction, and government…

In the United Kingdom over the past few years there has been a dramatic growth of national and regional repositories to collect and disseminate resources related to teaching and learning. Most notable of these are the Joint Information Systems Committee's Online Repository for [Learning and Teaching] Materials as well as the Higher Education…

This document comprises the proceedings of the 2001 conference of the Pacific Telecommunications Council. Papers are included on: implementation of e-commerce applications; use of corporate e-mail; socio-economic considerations in the adoption of new technologies; an innovation standard for telecommunications universal service; call center-based…

In 1997, the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) supported a project on the geographic spread of the commercial Internet Service Provider (ISP) market. This Research Brief describes some of the principle findings of a report (by Professor Shane Greenstein of the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University) on the…

Technology is necessary but not sufficient for successful distance education. Argues that the two most important ingredients in technological solutions to education are maintaining a steady policy and providing sufficient funds for "systemic" solutions. (PEN)

Presents an overview of statutory and non-statutory data-protection provisions currently governing the processing of personal data in Canada's private sector, including federal and provincial legislation and efforts at self-regulation through voluntary codes of practice. Considers a more comprehensive system of regulation, contemporary policy…

The global dimension of the Internet requires new approaches to formulating policy infrastructures. Commerce must invest in the development of policy infrastructures and governments must support these new approaches; an effective balance between commercial needs and social requirements is necessary in order to achieve universal access. The…

Discusses the inadequacy of laws protecting the privacy of library patrons and the necessity of improving confidentiality statutes. Addresses the form the statute should take, what should be covered, libraries the statute should apply to, when exceptions are justified, and how the statute should be enforced. (AEF)

Examines two multilateral approaches that aim to raise the level of intellectual property protection for databases. Discusses how both proposals, the European Union (EU) new Database Directive and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaty fail to provide ample copyright exemption provisions, necessary for offsetting the expanded…

Analyzes the nature of computer misuse. Addresses issues that deal with managing and controlling computer misuse that will help in developing ethical practices to minimize computer misuse. Argues that by addressing ethical issues at both formal and informal levels, the risks associated with information technology usage can be minimized.…

Plots trends in the growth of Internet use. Discusses pornography on the Web, using filters, and the ALA response. Reports results of a survey of Internet availability within Pennsylvania public libraries. Findings indicate more than 90% of respondents offer access to the Internet, nearly 80% do not use filters, and 50% attempt to control access…

Explores organizational influence in the policy network that formed around the issue of determining essential services on the Canadian information highway. Qualitative content analysis found the essential services issue had two main aspects: ensuring universal access to telecommunications networks and determining the criteria for defining…

Public bodies hold a range of information and content ranging from demographic, economic and meteorological data to art works, historical documents and books. Given the availability of information and communication technologies (ICTs) public sector information can play an important role in producing innovative value-added services and goods.…

Following a brief description of educational networking initiatives in Canada, this paper points out some barriers to the further expansion of electronic networking in K-12 classrooms. Disparities in existing infrastructure are described, and considerations about the need to maintain the relevance of educational tools to the learner environment…