Describes a planned session that addressed information policies in the global community that impact information professionals and users worldwide. Highlights include case studies, the European Union's Database Directive on anti-piracy, empowerment of disadvantaged communities, and the development of information policy in Israel. Presentations…

Presents a selected annotated bibliography of 18 works on historical periods of information science in Spain. It is classified into five areas: bibliographies, databases, history of information science, information policy, and training of information scientists. (Author/LRW)

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…

Examines the pattern and distribution of secondary information systems and services in China. Topics include the role of government, government policies and relevant standards, distribution of discipline-oriented bibliographies and indexes, the change from printed materials to databases, and the transition to a market economy. (Author/LRW)

An investigation of the development of Australian scientific and technological information (STI) services has been undertaken. It comprises a consideration of the characteristics and development of the services, which is the focus of this part of the paper, along with a broader examination of discipline formation in information management covered…