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Identifies key activities that network users can perform in order to use the network effectively. Offers recommended reading, from beginner to expert user status. Explains some commonly used terms (e.g. Turbo Gopher with Veronica!). Lists useful Internet resources.

The MLA International Bibliography is well known as one of the primary indexes in the humanities. Published annually by the Modern Language Association of America, it provides coverage of critical materials on literature, language, linguistics, and folklore. MLA is available online through DIALOG from 1963 to date and through WILSONLINE from 1981 to date.

Provides a bibliography of CD‐ROM for librarians, covering case studies, costs, product evaluation guidelines, databases, CDI, downloading/copyright and CD vs. online, for use when making decisions about the adoption of CD‐ROM.

Describes research undertaken to investigate the role of public libraries in developing and exploiting the next generationof national networks, such as Internet. Considers developments in Internet and NREN, public libraries and networking, and the impact of the network on public libraries. Surmises that the research will help identify factors that affect the library′s role in electronic networks, although many questions about networks may have more to do with how libraries define themselves than with the technology itself.

This article summarizes a study that identified and described federal information inventory/locator systems. Such locator systems provide an important means of accessing a range of government information not previously available to the public or other government officials. Overall, the study's goal was to improve access to and use of U.S. government information. The study produced a final report describing study efforts, identifying issues and conclusions, and recommending the design of an networked‐based government‐wide information inventory/locator system (GIILS) (Volume I), the Federal Locator Database (FLD) — a machine‐readable database of descriptive information on some 250 federal databases, of which fifty‐three met the study's criteria as a locator, and a user's guide to that database (Volume II includes a machine‐readable version of the database and the user guide and codebook). The study recommends that the U.S. Office of Management and Budget develop a policy framework requiring agencies to design and maintain machine‐readable locators, meeting certain requirements and standards and that these be accessible over the Internet/NREN.

This paper is an interim report of a study under way in the USA with the goal of developing a core set of national statistics and performance measures that librarians,researchers, and policy‐makers can use to describe public library and library‐based state‐wide network use of the Internet and Web‐based services and resources. The paper summarises preliminary findings and key issues identified as of January 2000. It describes a number of models for developing such statistics and performance measures. The paper also offers a number of preliminary statistics and performance measures that are being field‐tested to describe information resources and services in the networked environment. The authors expect to have a final set of such statistics and performance measures by the summer of 2000.

A new form of “museum” has emerged which takes advantage of the Internet′s seemingly limitless format options for electronic presentation and ability to tailor in‐depth presentations to niche audiences. Constraints of ownership and geographic location are lessened as Internet‐based museums point to sources across the globe. Collections which are physically impossible to construct are being mounted electronically. Offers a sampler of museums and galleries around the world which are making use of WorldWide Web or Gopher servers.

The Internet computer network is not yet an intuitive or an easily understood environment in which to work. Therefore, new network users in higher education need basic instruction on what the Internet offers and how it can be utilized. Basic training can include an overview of the major academic networks, how to use the networks, how to discover networked information resources, and where to get more information. A conceptual framework of the various operating systems and programs that they will need to connect to a networked information resource may help users understand which command is appropriate and when it is appropriate. Academic librarians are uniquely qualified to offer this instruction because networked information resources are merely another “format” of information and because librarians are skilled at presenting complex information in a straightforward manner.