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A method for the automated preparation of a publication‐quality author and subject index to students' dissertations is described. A datafile of bibliographic data with up to five descriptors was converted to an intermediate text file by a dBase III+ command program, and transferred from an IBM compatible computer to an Apple Macintosh, where formatting for printing was completed automatically by using Aldus PageMaker paragraph tags.

A study has been carried out into sources of consumer health information available in the UK, with particular emphasis on the use of electronic sources of health information As part of this latter aim, the research has entailed an investigation of the Internet to identify the types of health information available. This paper discusses briefly the sources of health information that are available to the public, focusing on electronic information sources, and then presents the results from the search of the Internet for health information. (The links presented were correct at the time of going to press but, as with the nature of the Internet, some links may change.) The facilities available on the Internet which were used to guide the search are presented. Twenty major health information sites were identified and examples of the types of subjects presented at each site are given. The information found is judged for its suitability for the consumer or professional. In conclusion, the usefulness of the Internet as a health information source is considered.

Forthcoming Conference The Institute of Information Scientists announces that its 1992 Conference will be entitled “The Common Market for Information” and will be on the theme of information‐gathering techniques and information usage in Europe and beyond — a wide field! The venue is likely to be the Bedford Moat House Hotel and the time mid‐May or early June, but at present IIS is calling for papers. Reply to Sue Ward, Chairman IIS 1992 Conference Committee, Wiggins Teape Research and Development Ltd, Butler's Court, Wattleton Road, Beaconsfield, Bucks HP9 1RT (Tel: 0494–675652) and, if asked, she will also give further information about the Conference.

A library serves many functions but one of the most important, perhaps the central function, has been to make a wide variety of knowledge and literature locally available. In the past we have always treated electronic technology as a means to enhance library functions. Today a somewhat different perspective may be emerging in which we may begin to see electronic technology starting to encroach on this central library function.

Information technology (IT) has been hailed as a great time and paper saver. How far is this true? Are you benefiting as much as you could from the computer on your desk or are you wasting time learning how to use complex software when it would be more cost‐effective to buy in expertise? This paper looks at what, for some, may be novel ways of using a PC and indicates areas where computer use may not be beneficial. The article is geared towards special libraries, but may have wider applications.

The purpose of the current application paper is to integrate previous literature with recent results from practitioners on effective practices for utilizing small groups in the leadership classroom.

We use these integrated findings to innovate practice on maximizing the role of undergraduate teaching assistants (UTAs) by matching their tasks to signature pedagogies in leadership education.

The integrated findings revealed three practice themes: (1) match UTAs to pedagogical approach, (2) create small groups by design and (3) providing training and reflection practice for UTAs.

In sum, leadership education can and should challenge historical practices in higher education whereby UTAs are used purely for grading and course logistics management.

The Howard Shuttering Contractors case throws considerable light on the importance which the tribunals attach to warnings before dismissing an employee. In this case the tribunal took great pains to interpret the intention of the parties to the different site agreements, and it came to the conclusion that the agreed procedure was not followed. One other matter, which must be particularly noted by employers, is that where a final warning is required, this final warning must be “a warning”, and not the actual dismissal. So that where, for example, three warnings are to be given, the third must be a “warning”. It is after the employee has misconducted himself thereafter that the employer may dismiss.

In the past case studies have been viewed principally as instructional tools for developing particular skills. Consequently the cases have been limited to the “issue” and “descriptive” variety. In the future considerable attention should be given to the case study as a research tool. In this regard, “substantive” cases dealing with social science concepts or advanced field practices represent a fruitful area for case development. Cases of all types will need to have immediate relevance to the current problems of practitioners, to cover a wide range of problems, roles, organizational types and environments and to seek to advance knowledge in a systematic way. There is a need for the classification of available cases and for preparation of many more cases, especially of the substantive type, perhaps by graduate students in the universities.

ELSEWHERE in this number we list libraries which have Esent us copies of their annual reports which we are glad to have. Now and again we are able to elaborate on these, but in the present issue that has not been possible. We would say, however, that these reports are deserving of the attention of librarians generally, and of students at the library schools. They are records of work in progress, and they do suggest the development of library policy. The best of them are of textbook value.