Describes eight multilibrary automation and connectivity initiatives in Alabama that involve public libraries, regional library systems, county library systems, library networks, academic libraries, and public school libraries. Addresses and contact people are supplied for each organization. (LRW)

Discusses the need to think of public libraries as businesses rather than as functions of society. Topics include keeping old customers and attracting new ones; taxes; competition from the private sector; the use of technology; training people to use technology; mission statements; library services; and marketing. (LRW)

Discussion of rural library technology concerns focuses on the Kalona (Iowa) public library and its attempts to acquire up-to-date technology. Topics include costs, politics, Internet service providers, personnel concerns, funding, and national and state-based opportunities. (LRW)

Living in the vast shadow cast by the spires of the Magic Kingdom presents special challenges for Orlando's Orange County Library System (OCLS), the most formidable of which is increasing its relatively small user base. The library additionally faces tension between the administration and staff, political strife on the board, and looming contract…

The surprising success of Live Homework Help, a product of Tutor.com unknown to libraries before 2001, is in very large part owing to the company's effort to understand library funding and help libraries tap into all kinds of potential funding sources. The story is a model for partnerships between other companies and libraries. For the people of…

This report describes a program to expand the Books by Mail program at the Monterey (California) County Library. An introductory section provides background information on the development of the program, and the second section discusses the process of identifying target populations, which include those in geographically remote areas and the…

Results from one of a series of cooperative projects to study public access to online catalogs are discussed. This report focuses on a survey of 1,152 users and 1,315 non-users of six computer systems at seven libraries, with library participants including (1) Claremont Colleges Library, which uses the Claremont Total Library System; (2) the…

Faced with task duplication in its public branch libraries, the Library Council of Victoria, Australia, undertook a feasibility study called Technilib to determine whether a central cataloging and processing bureau should be established. Consultants considered the practicality and expense of introducing a centralized cataloging service using the…

Examines aspects of automation of technical services in four public libraries with major emphasis on management decisions (key decisions, constraints limiting options available, decision makers). Factors which emerged as important in determining decisions included municipal council attitudes, facilities available, urgency of need to change,…

Four articles outline problems, programing, case studies, and hardware/software selection in library use of microcomputer-based electronic bulletin board systems (BBS). Highlights include the North-Pulaski (Chicago, Illinois) BBS, features of Liverpool Public Library (New York) system, and misuse of a library BBS (obscenity, bulletin board…

The objectives of the Alabama Public Library Service are to: provide library services to the citizens directly or through local libraries; provide library services for those with special needs through the Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; provide library services to employees of the State of Alabama to meet their…

Describes "Maggie's Place," the library computer system of the Pikes Peak Library District, Colorado Springs, Colorado, noting its use as an electronic card catalog and community information file, accessibility by home users and library users, and terminal considerations. (EJS)

Discusses the role of advanced technology in developing new library systems and facilities. Considers the impact of computers on acquisition, reproduction, and availability of material in both general-use libraries and special research facilities, particularly in terms of cost. (JMF)

Outlines the scope of planning and activities with which Montana libraries have undertaken connections to the information superhighway, the hurdles the libraries have overcome, and future outlooks. Topics include university libraries, public library collaboration, Internet training and access, and state-sponsored connectivity projects. (Author/LRW)

Describes ways that the Denver Public Library's interlibrary loan department has adapted electronic-messaging technology to improve interlibrary loan services. Patron-initiated requesting, via e-mail or OCLC's order option, is discussed; the role of the OPAC is explained; and implementation and staff training is described. (LRW)