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This paper outlines the efforts of the United Kingdom (UK) Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) to help UK higher education institutions deal with the growing diversity of information resources. These efforts are based on two strands: the Electronic Libraries Program and the development of the JISC collections. These strands are now coming together as JISC concentrates on developing a Distributed National Electronic Resource (DNER) and encourages organizations to harmonize and facilitate access to this and a plethora of other resources, digital and conventional, through the model of the hybrid library. Programs described include: Agora, a standards-based broker system suitable for hybrid library use; BUILDER, a system that exploits synergies in institutional resources to deliver innovative services; HeadLine, a project concerned with tailoring information landscapes; HYLIFE, a project that demonstrates the wide variety of solutions appropriate for different groups of users; and MALIBU, a project that developed a pre-prototype searching agent allowing cross searching of World Wide Web sites, as well as two models of the hybrid library. (Contains 33 references.) (MES)

This paper presents several of the most prominent bibliographic tools and projects current in Israel, as well as a few specialized and less well-known projects. Bibliographic tools include the Israel Union Catalog and the Israel Union List of Serials. The following are the major bibliographic projects described: the National Jewish Bibliography Kiryat Sefer; the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book, 1473-1960; the Index to Hebrew Periodicals; the Index of Articles on Jewish Studies. Specialized bibliographic projects include: the Henrietta Szold Institute Database; the Moshe Dayan Center Bibliographical Database; the Yad Vashem Library and Database; the Center for Computerized Research Services in Contemporary Jewry at the Avraham Harman Institute of Contemporary Jewry, Hebrew University; the Spielberg Jewish Film Archive and the Israel Filmography Database Project; the Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Antisemitism--the Felix Posen Bibliographic Project on Antisemitism; the Ben Zvi Institute bibliographic projects; and the National Sound Archives Database. (MES)

This paper begins with some general remarks about the indexing of electronic publications. Characteristics of today's information world are highlighted, including decentralization, distributed data collections, and heterogeneous data structures and indexing procedures. Three possible models for managing access to information are summarized: a centralistic organization; a network of scientists; and standardization, acceptance, and dissemination of metadata. The shell model for indexing electronic resources is presented. The CARMEN project of the Universitatsbibliothek Regensburg (Germany), which deals with the indexing of digital publications, is then described, focusing on cross concordances between different classifications and thesauri. Similar links between a universal thesaurus and specialized thesauri are also discussed. (MES)

This paper discusses ensuring high quality research services that meet client needs, based on experiences at the Research and Information Services of the Ontario Legislative Library (Canada). The first section is an introduction that provides an overview of the Research and Information Services and summarizes factors related to quality control. The second section addresses getting priorities right, highlighting strategic planning and service evaluation. The third section considers meeting client needs, including formal quality checks, evolving best practices, building on strong skills, product development, and client feedback. The fourth section discusses working culture, including building on knowledge, human capital, and looking for innovation. It is concluded that ensuring high quality research services: takes place at both strategic and operational levels; is about informal collaborative processes and adaptability as much as editorial procedures and explicit standards; is more about knowledge sharing, consensus building, and teamwork than management edicts and monitoring; and depends on a work culture of innovation imagination and commitment to client needs. (MES)

The AccessMichigan Electronic Community Health Information Initiative (AMECHII) is a response to a recommendation of the Michigan Information Technology Commission Report recommending improved access to high-quality health care information for all Michigan stakeholders. This project is multi-type, including public, general academic, academic health science, hospital, and special libraries. Objectives include extending the current network infrastructure to serve all libraries and to negotiate statewide licenses for core and extended electronic collections, including reference materials and serials, recognizing the economic realities in American hospitals and libraries and the need for economic viability of publishers. This pilot project, if successful, will be used as a model for other statewide information projects. The planning process, which will begin with a comprehensive needs assessment, gap analysis, and economic model, will result in the design of a statewide health information architecture/system design and will include economic sustainability and new paradigms for library collaboration and federation in the acquisition and distribution of electronic resources over a wide area. AMECHII will also seek international partnerships with developing countries to cooperatively develop an electronic health information infrastructure in those nations and to seek external funding to do so. (Author/MES)

This paper describes how the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa Te Rau Herenga O Aotearoa (LIANZA) has mobilized the library and information profession in New Zealand to present key messages to the new government which describe a vision of how an integrated National Information Strategy (NIS) will help the government to realize some of the benefits of a knowledge led world. Highlights include: (1) the LIANZA Information Policy Summit (LIPS), held in December 1999, at which representatives of the library profession met to negotiate key messages from the profession that were delivered to the government; (2) the three main components in the New Zealand NIS model, i.e., knowledge access, knowledge resources, and knowledge equity; (3) comparison with the United Kingdom's NIS; (4) LIANZA activities planned for June/July 2000, including an extensive lobbying campaign to progress the NIS and a second LIPS (LIPS2); (5) LIANZA initiatives within the library profession; and (6) common themes in the changing workplace. (MES)

This paper examines the inter-relationship between recent developments in information technology and the planning for the evaluation of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) system. It argues that in the light of radical changes currently taking place in the networked information environment and user expectations, bold strategic planning is more important than formal retrospective evaluation. It identifies a number of key areas requiring careful consideration, including funding not only for centralized research and development but for innovation in the clearinghouses that are part of the ERIC system, and for explicit technology transfer mechanisms that migrate individual clearinghouse-based advances into infrastructure that supports the entire system. Further, it considers how environmental technology changes are reshaping the ERIC mission and context, with emphasis on a transition from database building to content access services and full text provision via the World Wide Web. It proposes that ERIC restructure its relationship to the literature of education, both formal and informal, and calls for the ERIC system to undertake a leadership role in coordinating federal government (and other) digital library initiatives as they relate to education as part of its role as a major component of the National Library of Education. (Author/AEF)

This paper explores general issues surrounding the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) database--its content, operations, and possible "futures." It addresses specific questions regarding restrictions on content and, in particular, the exclusion from the database of a range of non-print media; and the exclusion of the majority of resources and services developed independently by the ERIC Clearinghouses. A transitioning of the database to a knowledgebase is suggested, through fully integrating the system's disparate and currently unrelated services and resources. The paper examines the need to adopt emerging metadata standards as the mechanism for describing all resources and services system-wide. In addition, it presents one model of a distributed repository system to suggest alternatives to the current centralized modes as a possible means of managing the volatility of Web-based resources. As ERIC incorporates new technologies and capabilities set out in the ERIC Processing and Reference Facility "Statement of Work," it will have the opportunity to put into place more streamlined processes both for the ongoing development of the knowledgebase and for the development of new technologies that will shape its evolution. The commentary in this area is divided into two major parts: the devolution of some of the editorial functions performed by the Facility to the Clearinghouses; and a redefinition of functions, including an ongoing program of technology development, development of repository, registry, and taxonomy services, an ongoing systematic program of technology research and development, and an ongoing, systematic program in education/training. At the end of each section of the paper, a "Summary Proposal for Investigation" is provided. (Author/AEF)

This report presents findings from a study of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) user services, describes changes to current user services that can help ERIC become more competitive, and discusses strategies and options for evaluating ERIC user services. Data show ERIC information professionals have done much to identify users' information needs, made continuous promotion efforts to reach users and non-users, and provided an impressive array of services and products. They have adopted information technology to enhance their services and demonstrated strong skills in identifying, synthesizing, and organizing resources valuable to their constituencies. They also show unwavering dedication to serving users. But they are constrained by limited resources and concerned about how to ensure quality services in the face of dwindling support and rising user expectations. Many of the services provided by ERIC are important in the digital age, and ERIC information professionals have the expertise to excel in those areas. If the recommended changes are implemented, ERIC will become a more competitive player in the information arena. Data also reveal that few evaluation efforts have been made and very few of them have produced useful data for planning or improvement services. Nevertheless, meaningful evaluation can be conducted by extending earlier study instruments and statistics. The paper presents an evaluation framework, discusses the importance of validity, reliability, and generalizability in evaluation, and describes strategies to ensure successful evaluation in a decentralized environment like ERIC. Appendices contain questions for ERIC Directors and questions for ERIC User Services Coordinators. (Contains 56 references.) (Author/AEF)

As a first step toward developing a strategy for a comprehensive external evaluation of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) system, this paper contributes by providing an overview of the system's mission, structure, and resources. A brief review of ERIC's historical development and extant literature, the conduct of a key informants survey, coupled with comparative analysis with the two other subject-specific U.S. national library information systems are used to produce a preliminary assessment of strengths and weaknesses, followed by recommendations and approaches for further investigation. ERIC's mission, understood as a formal statement of purpose, is seen to have broadened considerably in audience and collection scope over the past 35 years, and is further expanded by the needs and realities of an information society. The structure of the system, understood as both formal and informal alliances and hierarchies between organizational units, has changed very little in its decentralized internal arrangement; however, ERIC's nominal integration with the National Library of Education in 1994 is seen as a critical change that still requires key organizational integration at all levels, encompassing mission, structure, and resources. Despite these far-reaching changes, ERIC's resources, understood as the products, people, and financial commitments that go into the system, have remained essentially level and are, therefore, insufficient to support the increasing number of products and services produced by the ERIC system. Findings and conclusions stress the need for mission prioritization and subsequent realignment of structure and resources based on this refocused mission. An appendix contains the survey results. (Contains 33 references.) (Author/AEF)

The Parent Information Network (PIN) is an initiative of the Arizona Department of Education to involve families of special education students. Led by parents of children with special needs, PIN provides information and technical assistance to families and educators throughout the state. The primary role is to facilitate the volunteer steering committee, Parents Are Liaisons to Schools (PALS), a 21-member volunteer group of parents of special needs children from diverse backgrounds and communities who are appointed for 3-year terms. PALS members offer: parental feedback on special education topics; update local parents and special education directors with information disseminated by the department of education, including legislation and funding issues; give assistance and support to other PALS members; and encourage parents to become aware of their rights and responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The concerns and suggestions of parents have been used in state planning and development of new initiatives, including a conflict resolution system, grant funds for parent involvement activities at the local level, parent training workshops, and an information clearinghouse that includes videotape and print material. In partnership with the special education director, PALS members develop an action plan tailored to the unique needs of their local school districts. PIN specialists are parents hired as part-time private contractors by the Arizona Department of Education to provide information, technical assistance, and training workshops to PALS, other parents, and educators. (TD)

This document reports on an NCLIS (National Commission on Libraries and Information Science) study of the proposal to close NTIS (National Technical Information Service) and shift its paper, microfiche, digital archives, and bibliographic database to the Library of Congress. The report documents the results of research, interviews, public meetings, government meetings, and other fact and opinion gathering efforts, and spells out specific findings, conclusions, and the following recommendations: (1) NTIS be retained for the balance of FY (Fiscal Year) 2000 and extending into FY 2001, in order to give NCLIS enough time to study the pros/cons and costs/benefits of feasible alternatives; (2) the Department of Commerce be allowed to utilize its budget request to keep NTIS operational for the remainder of FY 2000 at a satisfactory level of staffing and service instead of using those funds to further downsize and close the agency; (3) Congress should authorize an appropriation of 5 million dollars for FY 2001 to sustain NTIS at a necessary satisfactory level of service and allow NCLIS to complete its in-depth analysis; and (4) the final decision on how best to deal with the NTIS situation should not be made exclusively on the ground of preventing NTIS from falling into a deficit because of a requirement that operating costs be recovered primarily through the collection of fees. Several attachments support the findings. (MES)

The purpose of this study was to develop performance measures that will assist federal agencies to assess the quality and usefulness of their World Wide Web sites and to improve public information access service of those Web sites. The study was sponsored jointly by three federal agencies: the Defense Technical Information Center, the Energy Information Administration, and the Government Printing Office (GPO). The investigators conducted a literature review, reported in Chapter 1. They undertook an analysis of laws and policies affecting Web site performance measures, reported in Chapter 2. They met with agency representatives individually and collectively and analyzed documents provided by the agencies, as Chapter 3 explains. Chapter 4 describes the performance measures that emerged from the study. Chapter 5 sets forth key issues and recommends next steps. Appendices include: criteria for the evaluation of federal Web sites; Web site performance measurement and evaluation for GPO Access; and a proposal to study agency compliance with federal Web site policies. (Contains 27 references.) (MES)

The Resource Center at the Appalachia Educational Laboratory (AEL), Inc., provides direct services to clients both within and outside AEL, as well as serving as a repository and distribution center for educational materials. Three main objectives were identified: to discover the extent to which staff use current components of the Resource Center; to investigate the expectations of staff regarding electronic conversion of existing Resource Center components; and to investigate staff predilections for electronic journals, newsletters, and other electronic resources. This report summarizes findings from the third assessment of the Resource Center, which focused on AEL staff's perceptions of needed services and their frequency of use. The report presents findings along with subsequent conclusions and recommendations from the survey administered to AEL staff members in October 1999. Surveys were distributed to all 96 AEL staff members, with a 52% usable return rate. Findings are discussed in terms of the main sections of the survey, which include: (1) general information such as respondent's location, years of employment at AEL, and favorite places to find information; (2) specific use of Resource Center services; (3) expectations for electronic conversion of existing components of the Resource Center; (4) ideas for improving the Resource Center; and (5) ideas for better serving staff outside the Charleston, West Virginia, office. The survey and "Completed Evaluation Standards Checklist" are appended. (AEF)

The purpose of this paper is to suggest an alternative approach to perform relevant and useful evaluations of Web-based learning and instruction (WBLI) that will accommodate performance and keep pace with the growing capabilities of the Internet. Discussion includes the advantages of WBLI, multimedia and streaming use in WBLI, building the foundation of WBLI capability, and a review of WBLI evaluation approaches. The paper focuses primarily on defining an evaluative framework that can accommodate a range of WBLI interventions specifically within a business environment by more deeply exploring learner needs, concerns, and expectations. A case study involving WBLI designed to assist the E-Service solutions group at Nortel Networks implement Time to Market (TTM) development principles is used to illustrate several aspects of the emergent framework. Contains 12 references. (Author/AEF)

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 work-related information needs; assist in establishing cooperative library services and networks; provide continuing education opportunities for librarians; and provide consulting services to public libraries. To accomplish these established objectives, the agency provides services to individuals, libraries, and institutions through its divisions: Office of the Director; Evaluation and Research; Administrative Services; Networking, Planning and Development; Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; Information Services; Technical Services; and Automated Services. The Agency is responsible for the administration and distribution of state aid for public libraries and an annual competitive grant program under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). Following a description of the Agency departments and divisions, Agency highlights, by division, are presented for fiscal year 2000. State aid and LSTA totals for 2000 are listed at the end of the report. (AEF)

This paper presents the findings of a study on the use of World Wide Web among students at St. Cloud State University, Minnesota, USA. The paper explores problems and challenges on campus Web computing and the relationships among the extent of Web usage, class level, and overall student academic performance. Specifically, the purposes of this study are: to identify campus Web related problems from the students' perspective; and to conduct a preliminary investigation into the relationships among students' computer skills, frequency of reported Web related problems, student performance (GPA). The paper concludes with a discussion on improving the effectiveness of campus Web services. Two tables include: internet usage responses and frequency of reported problems. The Web survey is appended. (Contains 6 references) (Author/AEF)

This document briefly highlights how the Institution of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) supports all types of libraries and museums in the United States. Short lists of statistics on library connectivity, patrons, school library funding, and reference librarian services, and on museum visitors, museum services, and museum holdings are provided. The document also outlines how the IMLS helps museums and libraries serve the public. This information is presented under the following categories: investment in education; investment in access; investment in tools for the future; investment in families and children; investment in communities; investment in cultural heritage; strengthening museum and library service; grantmaking; evaluation; and communication. (AEF)

This document announces the winners of the 2000 National Award for Museum Service. The award winners demonstrate the kind of influence and impact museums can bring to community life. The Albright-Knox Art Gallery (Buffalo, New York) enjoys an international reputation for its collection of modern and contemporary art and its innovative special exhibitions. Consisting of components that offer neighborhood workshops and field trips to the museum, the "ARTStart" program is an inner-city collaboration that encourages self-awareness and self-confidence in at-risk youth. "The Summer of Monet" campaign, a major collaborative effort that capitalized on the influx of tourists attending the exhibition "Monet at Giverny: Masterpieces from the Musee Marmottan," showcased all of the cultural organizations and activities in Western New York. The Alutiiq Museum (Kodiak, Arkansas) is dedicated to preserving and sharing the culture of the Alutiiq, a Native Alaskan people. Through the museum's "Community Archaeology" and "Site Stewardship" programs, volunteers give thousands of hours to protect and study threatened archaeological sites. Local media help to revitalize the Alutiiq language and share cultural lessons through the "Alutiiq Word of the Week" program. In partnership with nine remote village schools, the museum helps students preserve, explore and reinvent artistic traditions in an annual "Rural School Art Show." The Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia (Beckley, West Virginia) offers hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, a science room and a recreated pioneer village. The"Page After Page" exhibition highlights West Virginia children's authors. The pilot "Transition to School Program" is designed to bring special needs preschoolers and their families into the museum. The "Artist-in-Residence School Program" has introduced thousands to live theatre, native arts-and-crafts, dance, storytelling and traditional Appalachian music. Past winners (1994-1999) are listed in the back of the document. (AEF)

The focus of this paper is the Educational Resources Information Center's (ERIC's) products and information dissemination. Its purpose is to collect and review existing studies and analyze information: (1) about the effectiveness and appropriateness of the array of products ERIC now produces in meeting user demands and needs; (2) about the styles, format, and types of new products it will need to meet new customer demands; and (3) about the appropriate use of different media and technologies to disseminate information more effectively and in a more timely manner. Recommended methodological strategies that might be incorporated into a large-scale evaluation of the ERIC system are presented at the end of the paper, along with suggested key questions for the areas of product success, user needs, quality and standardization, and clearinghouses and partnerships. (Author/AEF)

The Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) is a federally funded, nationwide information network designed to provide users with ready access to education literature. The mission of the ERIC system is to improve American education by increasing and facilitating the use of educational research and information to improve practice in learning, teaching, educational decision making, and research. This booklet presents information about ERIC, its features, services, and products. The first section, "What Is ERIC?" defines ERIC and its users. A sidebar presents "A Word About the National Library of Education." The next section, "The ERIC Database," describes the ERIC documents and ERIC journal articles. "Searching the ERIC Database" gives information on where users can search ERIC as well as tips on searching the ERIC database. The next two sections are "How Can You Get Copies of ERIC Documents and Journal Articles?" and "How Can You Contribute to the ERIC Database?" with the latter section providing information on ERIC partner agencies and organizations. Next, the section "ERIC Publications and Products" describes clearinghouse publications, ERIC Digests, "The ERIC Review," parent brochures, and products about ERIC. A section called "ERIC on the Internet" provides information on communicating via e-mail; ERIC Web sites; the AskERIC service; listservs; the ERIC document delivery and subscription service; and special projects of the Department of Education: Dan O'Brien Goal-Setting Program; Education Resource Organization Directory; ERIC Calendar of Education-Related Conferences; ERIC/OSEP Special Project; ERIC Search Wizard and Expert Searches; Gateway to Educational Materials (GEM); Key Resources in Community Colleges; National Parent Information Network (NPIN); NIFL-ESL Listserv; Reading Pathfinder; Test Locator; Virtual Libraries; Virtual Reference Desk (VRD); and Workplace Literacy Products. An "ERIC System Directory" is next, with contact information and descriptions of the following: federal sponsor; the 16 Clearinghouses and 9 Adjunct Clearinghouses; the Affiliate Clearinghouse; support components; and publishers. The next section, "How To Start an ERIC Resource Collection," provides information on computer searching; the electronic document subscription service; ERIC microfiche; the "Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors"; print index searching; additional ERIC resources for libraries and information centers; ERIC training; and the ERICNews listserv. Names, addresses and other contact information for ERIC online and CD-ROM vendors are then provided, followed by an ERIC search worksheet, a glossary and the U.S. Department of Education information sheet. (AEF)

This document reports on the e-mail-based question and answer services (digital reference) that the Department of Education offers to customers. The report is presented in five sections. Section 1, "Introduction," outlines the research goals which were to: analyze current processes, procedures and problems; suggest solutions for optimization of information delivery to customers; provide recommendations for policy; outline software requirements for possible future automation of processes; and suggest training goals for managers and specialists. Section 2, "Methods," describes the three-part approach to the research method: document analysis; in-depth interviews at six digital reference sites; and a poll of digital reference administrators representing ED.gov and related Centers. Section 3, "Results," describes findings from each of the above three data sources, and Section 4, "Issues," consolidates the findings and groups them. Section 5, "Recommendations," contains the research team's recommendations for re-designing and improving ED.gov digital reference Centers. Several appendices provide copies of the instruments and a glossary. (AEF)

On2broker provides brokering services to improve access to heterogeneous, distributed, and semistructured information sources as they are presented in the World Wide Web. It relies on the use of ontologies to make explicit the semantics of Web pages. This paper discusses the general architecture and main components (i.e., query engine, information agent, inference engine, and database manager) of On2broker and provides some application scenarios. The paper shows how semantic based access is provided to Web sources described with HTML (HyperText Markup Language), XML (eXtensible Markup Language), or RDF (Resource Description Framework). (Contains 15 references.) (Author/MES)