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The University of Exeter Library, in conjunction with NatWest UK and Mondex, commenced a pilot smartcard project in October 1996. The smartcard functions as a campus card, combining many different features such as identification, student voting, building access, registration, electronic payment — and a library card. Of all these applications, the library card is compulsory. The pilot project concentrates on identification features of current smartcard technology but recent developments, especially an International standard multiple operating system (MULTOS), will increase potential applications for libraries and other agencies. Despite encountering many operational and technical obstacles, the University of Exeter project is now in its second year of operation.

A previous paper by the present author described the pros and cons of using the three largest cited reference enhanced multidisciplinary databases and discussed and illustrated in general how the theoretically sound idea of the h‐index may become distorted depending on the software and the content of the database(s) used, and the searchers' skill and knowledge of the database features. The aim of this paper is to focus on Google Scholar (GS), from the perspective of calculating the h‐index for individuals and journals.

A desk‐based approach to data collection is used and critical commentary is added.

The paper shows that effective corroboration of the h‐index and its two component indicators can be done only on persons and journals with which a researcher is intimately familiar. Corroborative tests must be done in every database for important research.

The paper highlights the very time‐consuming process of corroborating data, tracing and counting valid citations and points out GS's unscholarly and irresponsible handling of data.

Much has been written about the link between desktop publishing and word‐processing systems. Linking a database management system to a publishing system can have considerable advantages. At the University of Exeter Library the TEX typesetting system and the INFORMATION database management system have been combined in a number of stages to produce foreign language bibliographies, as described in this paper.

The principal organisational issues relating to the creation, validation and maintenance of the University of Exeter's Web site are discussed from the viewpoint of the University Library. Important issues include the effective allocation of responsibility, the timely formation of working groups, and the fostering of a spirit of cooperation amongst all departments and services responsible for providing or authorising information. Given the Web's popularity amongst users and the wealth of opportunities it provides for the dissemination of information, the commitment to its development already shown by library staff must continue.

Economic difficulties facing the countries of the former Soviet Union and Mongolia as a result of recent political changes are constraining funding for education. However, there is a growing provision of facilities afforded by the electronic library in these countries. Evidence afforded by three European Union funded projects at Yaroslavl’ State Pedagogical University (Russia), Tashkent State University (Uzbekistan) and the Mongolian State Pedagogical University, shows that the Internet is already firmly established in such countries and that users are poised to maximise the benefits. These are not all dependent on western information sources. World Wide Web sites, for example, are rapidly developing in the former Soviet Union bringing an unparalleled window on Russian resources. Difficulties in the introduction of the electronic library in these countries include reliability and performance of systems, sceptical attitudes of many academics, and cost. The latter is the most serious long‐term factor as externally funded projects come to an end and institutions struggle to meet even their salary bills. Economic development especially in Mongolia and Uzbekistan may overcome this problem before very long, endorsing the global nature of the electronic library.

The University of Exeter Library has recently introduced an in‐house system called EXILE (EXeter Inter LEnding) for the administration of its inter‐library loans. EXILE runs on the University of Exeter PRIME minicomputer research network. As the employment of new technology in Inter‐Lending is not new (an excellent microcomputer system called AIM2 developed by Roy Adams at Leicester Polytechnic has been available for some time), the choice of an in‐house system needs explanation.

Changes increasing the school‐based component of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) courses have placed many ITT students in a distance learning situation. The one year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Secondary course at the University of Exeter is numerically large with well‐above average loans amongst the Exeter ITT community. This article looks at the possibilities afforded by the electronic library in this context, considers alternative strategies and details the results of a questionnaire and analysis of library lending patterns of the PGCE group over a two year period. ‘Dial‐up’ use of the electronic library proved to be very small. However, the results demonstrate that electronic access to information services is technically feasible and should be seen as one option in resourcing distance learning although ideally used in combination with other features such as postal loans. Success of ‘dial‐up’ access has less to do with the technology involved and more to do with individual motivation and need, availability of alternative resources, access to computing equipment and the costs incurred.

In 1998 over 1,000 library systems were sold worldwide. Many libraries, faced with users’ demands for increased system functionality, are considering purchase of new systems. The key to a successful implementation is proper management of time; time for planning, time for data conversion and time for the new system’s introduction – the consequences of undue haste may abound for many years. Each of these stages has many considerations including legal procedures, drafting of the system specification or a review of the functionality of available products, detailed conversion issues relating to differences between old and new systems, training and future development or product support. A short case study of the University of Exeter’s change from LIBERTAS to INNOPAC demonstrates many of the issues arising during a successful implementation.