The Concept of the Virtual School Library.

A library has the capacity to deliver much more than just its locally stored and owned resources. By using telecommunications, information can be sought from online databases and from other pupils in schools across the world. This paper includes: (1) an explanation of the link between "virtual reality" and the "virtual library," and the projected impact on traditional school libraries of the concept of the virtual collection; (2) a description of Campus 2000 in Britain and NEXUS in Australia, two online information services geared to the needs of schools; (3) an explanation of the use of commercial online databases in schools; (4) an explanation of the use of telecommunications by pupils to gather information from other pupils; (5) a case study of the use of electronic mail in Northern Ireland to help Protestant and Roman Catholic schools break down barriers; and (6) comments on the virtual school library and the role of the librarian. (Contains 21 references.) (KRN)