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After a precarious early existence, BUBL came of age with the change of host from Glasgow to Bath. In the early days only available via JANET, BUBL is now accessible over the Internet using Internet protocols. The development of the service since its inception in 1990 is described, as are some of the technologies currently being utilised. Finally a glimpse of the future is revealed.

The present paper reports on a user‐centred evaluation of a pilot terminology service developed as part of the High Level Thesaurus (HILT) project at the Centre for Digital Library Research (CDLR) in the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. The pilot terminology service was developed as an experimental platform to investigate issues relating to mapping between various subject schemes, namely Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), the Unesco thesaurus, and the MeSH thesaurus, in order to cater for cross‐browsing and cross‐searching across distributed digital collections and services. The aim of the evaluation reported here was to investigate users' thought processes, perceptions, and attitudes towards the pilot terminology service and to identify user requirements for developing a full‐blown pilot terminology service.

To report on initial work carried out on a Metadata Options Appraisal undertaken for the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park in the context of plans to create and manage complex digital objects called Interpretive Journeys, PDA‐based multimedia guides to Park tours. Design/methodology/approach – After some initial work, a phased approach was adopted. In Phase I (reported here), metadata schema for managing structurally complex digital objects were researched to provide a range of appropriate options. Their characteristics were then matched against the Park's general requirements as determined through discussions with staff and an examination of relevant documentation. Findings – It was determined that the METS metadata schema met Park requirements for managing Interpretive Journeys at a general level and could be used both, to inform the development of the planned Digital Asset Management System (an early priority), and to act as the main basis of a framework for determining a detailed metadata solution for the Park. Research limitations/implications – Further work is required in Phase II to determine the detailed metadata requirement for the Park. Practical implications – A useful guide to dealing with a range of management and metadata issues associated with managing complex digital objects, and to managing projects where guidance on metadata requirements is needed before the objects to be described are available. Originality/value – This paper offers an introduction to the management and metadata issues raised by Interpretive Journeys and digital composites of similar complexity, and an indication of how METS addresses these at a general level.

In light of information retrieval problems caused by the use of different subject schemes, this paper provides an overview of the terminology problem within the digital library field. Various proposed solutions are outlined and issues within one approach – terminology mapping are highlighted.

Desk‐based review of existing research.

Discusses benefits of the mapping approach, which include improved retrieval effectiveness for users and an opportunity to overcome problems associated with the use of multilingual schemes. Also describes various drawbacks such as the labour intensive nature and expense of such an approach, the different levels of granularity in existing schemes, and the high maintenance requirements due to scheme updates, and not least the nature of user terminology.

General review of mapping techniques as a potential solution to the terminology problem.

The HILT Phase II project aimed to develop a pilot terminologies server with a view to improving cross‐sectoral information retrieval. In order to inform this process, it was first necessary to examine how a representative group of users approached a range of information‐related tasks. This paper focuses on exploratory interviews conducted to investigate the proposed ideal and actual strategies of a group of 30 users in relation to eight separate information tasks. In addition, users were asked to give examples of search terms they may employ and to describe how they would formulate search queries in each scenario. The interview process undertaken and the results compiled are outlined, and associated implications for the development of a pilot terminologies server are discussed.

The Online Search Centre of the British Library has produced a concise but informative introductory guide to equipment and search techniques for online searching in the fields of science and technology. There have been a number of publications produced to assist would‐be online searchers but none quite so straightforwardly and practically helpful to beginners. It covers “what online searching is”; the basic equipment needs; choice of hosts and databases; the construction of search strategies; and downloading; and gives some sample searches to emphasise the points made. This publication should be a best seller for the British Library. It can be obtained from the Publications Sales Unit, The British Library, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ at £12. The details are: Online Searching in Science and Technology, 1988, The British Library Online Search Centre, 54 pp., ISBN 0 7123 0760 5.

lis‐link is the primary electronic discussion forum for the Library and Information Science (LIS) community in the UK. The list has been active since May 1991, and now has a membership of over 2500 individuals, generating over 3000 messages annually. This article examines the historical origins of the list, the purpose and community it serves, and illustrates the development of lis‐link over time.

JANET links its users to the facilities of over 250 institutions in the UK, and far more worldwide. All universities and many other higher education establishments are connected, as are many organisations associated with academic work and research.

This paper discusses cross‐sectoral collaboration in procuring and implementing a new library management system. After a historical review of collaboration in this area in the UK and other countries, it focuses on the joint purchase of the Voyager system (supplied by Endeavor Information Systems Inc.) by Edinburgh University and the National Library of Scotland. The differing missions and automation histories of the two institutions are discussed, followed by a practical summary of the procurement and implementation processes. The theoretical and practical advantages and disadvantages of this form of collaborative approach between academic and government organisations are described.