Data on which to base interinstitutional comparisons can be obtained directly from institutions or from a variety of secondary and tertiary sources such as national surveys, statistical publications, newsletters, directories, and organizations. Lists of these sources are included. (MSE)

The thesis of this paper is that the growth of the field of medical informatics, while seemingly a potential threat to medical librarianship, is in fact an opportunity for librarianship to both extend its reach and also to further define its unique characteristics in contrast to those of medical informatics. Furthermore, because medical…

The need for information systems to support the dissemination and reuse of educational resources has sparked a number of large-scale digital library efforts. This article describes usability findings from one such project--the Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE)--focusing on its role in the process of educational resource reuse.…

Explores successful techniques for integrating the World Wide Web into day-to-day reference library services. Highlights include: determining when to use the Web and when and how to use search tools; the importance of search statement format; training and practicing with the Web; virtual reference and subject specialist pages; and electronic…

The KidsConnect service, with 145 volunteers from 39 states and eight countries connects librarians, teachers and students with curriculum-related material and other information sources on the Internet. Questions received at the site (on the Web at http://www.ala.ogr/ICONN/index.html or e-mail at askkc@ala.org) are routed to volunteer school…

Discusses the role of the library in distance education and describes key elements of library services for distance education, including reference services; portfolio of nearby libraries or other resources; document delivery; databases; electronic journals; database of subject specialists; and electronic resources on the Web. (AEF)

Describes a multimethod approach used to evaluate the Government Information Locator Service (GILS). Highlights the limitations and opportunities of available approaches to evaluating complex characteristics of networked information services and digital collections. (Author/AEF)

Presents a way to model a large class of reference information based on a semantic network technique with embedded argumentation of the information provider. Shows by discussion of several alternatives that the approach is flexible enough to be adapted to different user and system requirements. (Author/AEF)

There are a number of Web-based Internet resources available in the performance arts, created by hobbyists, amateurs, professionals, and corporations for commercial and recreational purposes. Collected here are Internet sites in the areas of music, dance, film/cinema, and theater/drama that are useful when answering typical reference questions in…

Three fundamental problems underlie most research in health sciences librarianship: determining what therapies are effective and of good quality, delivering information when and where it is needed, and in forms that will increase its use. Developments in health information research will be advanced through collaboration across disciplines and…

Describes centers of activity, listed by country, that relate to educational and training technology. Institutions of further and higher education are listed separately from other organizations if there are numerous entries for one country. Areas of interest, services, research and development, keywords, and publications are included. (AEF)

Presents results from a collective professional searcher evaluation of the effectiveness of Web search engines versus two traditional online services, DIALOG and Dow Jones Interactive. The conclusion outlines: searching assumptions; subjects and types of searches where DIALOG and Dow Jones Interactive showed superiority; advantages of using the…

Discusses implications to the management of the U.S. federal government information resources from recent legislation. Examines relevant policy instruments in light of the federal government's high-level commitment to the development of a National Information Infrastructure (NII) which promotes accessible and high-quality services to its citizens.…

Using a thorough analytical framework, this study characterizes the questioning behavior on a consumer health-related electronic list. Analysis examines the dedication of the list to questioning; pattern of question asking within a message; type of question; length of answer anticipated; subject of question; combination of type of question and…

Focuses on intellectual freedom, discussing the role of libraries, the Berlin Wall and banned books as attempts to restrict intellectual freedom, and controversies surrounding filtering software. Contains an annotated bibliography of intellectual freedom resources, presented in five categories: general; government and legal issues; access and…