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It is doubtful whether an acceptable definition of the term alternative information is at present available to us. What is certain is that someone working in a public library system actively exploring different ways of reaching the local population will take a different view from that of a commercial or business librarian.

There is a strong general trend towards outsourcing specific functions in modern organizations, both in government and corporate libraries. Reasons why companies contract out are looked at, and the advantages and disadvantages. Examines who are the library/information contractors – specialist information service companies, specialist suppliers, facilities management companies, management consultants, storage companies. Looks at the fundamental principles which should be adhered to – not least, quality requirements and specification. Examines staffing and management issues, and relationships and benefits of permanent and temporary staff, and their employer. Managing of contract staff and communication is extremely important, as is staff development and training. Long‐term social issues and wide‐ranging implications should be addressed.

THE European campaign to catch up with the United States and Japan in the provision of information technology took a major step forward at the end of February when the Council of Ministers of the European Communities adopted the ESPRIT programme. ESPRIT equates to the ‘European Strategic Programme of Information Technology’ and the main areas of research cover micro electronics, software technology, advanced information processing, office systems, and computer integrated manufacturing. The programme will span the years 1984–88 and will cost 1,500,000,000 European Units of Account (£900,000,000), half of which will be contributed by the European Communities Commission, and half by industry. Although the European Community represents over thirty per cent of the world IT market, European industry provides only ten per cent of this market. For further details of the programme, contact Mr W Colin, IT Task Force, 200 Rue de la Loi, B 1049 Brussels, Belgium, tel 235 4477 or 235 2348, telecopier 230 1203, tx 25946.

SINCE I have spent the better part of fifteen years parading in the public arena the superiority which attaches to me by reason of not possessing a television set, I had better now come clean and reveal that immediately before Christmas my wife and I changed our minds and rented one for a trial period of six months.

INFOMATCH, the Library Association's new recruitment agency, was officially launched at Info90 in September.

Anne Rehahn has given us an interesting account of her Master's programme on pages 29–30; a rather more tailored course than the MBA course described by Patrick Noon in Vol. 9 No. 2 of Information and Library Manager.

The Royal County of Berkshire is well known for its population of lions at the Windsor Safari Park. Lions also feature prominently in Berkshire's county crest. Berkshire Library and Information Service have therefore introduced an animated “Library Lion” as a mascot to promote the use of children's libraries throughout the county.

A group of internationally respected publishers has produced thirteen dictionaries (English, German, Spanish, French, Dutch, Italian, Japanese and Chinese languages) on compact disc.

Looks at the effects reduction in Local Government spending has had on race initiatives in the multi‐racial library service. Notes that multi racial librarians will be required to work two days a week at designated service points therefore diluting the service they provide. Concludes that a service for black and ethnic minority communities may be forced to depend on income from the very communities it was created to serve.

The latest information from the magazine chemist is extremely valuable. He has dealt with milk‐adulteration and how it is done. His advice, if followed, might, however, speedily bring the manipulating dealer before a magistrate, since the learned writer's recipe is to take a milk having a specific gravity of 1030, and skim it until the gravity is raised to 1036; then add 20 per cent. of water, so that the gravity may be reduced to 1030, and the thing is done. The advice to serve as “fresh from the cow,” preferably in a well‐battered milk‐measure, might perhaps have been added to this analytical gem.