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The development of performance indicators specifically within and for polytechnic libraries is reviewed. A framework of library activities is derived on which performance measurement might be based and six indicators are identified. The practical applicability of the framework is considered in relation to polytechnic libraries and to both institutional and library aims and objectives.

Discusses fundamental problems encountered at the Kenya Polytechnic Library in collection development, particularly the problems of inadequate funding, lack of collection development policy and those associated with foreign purchases. Highlights the various factors which librarians at the polytechnic ought to consider in order to realize brighter collection development prospects. These factors include the formulation of suitable collection development policy, the organization of gifts and exchange practices and participation in resource‐sharing programmes with other national polytechnics and universities. Suggests an introduction of library development levy and also the practice of collection weeding.

It has been widely assumed for the past ten years that multisite libraries, a feature of polytechnic institutions in the U.K., are expensive to operate, difficult to administer and by implication that the services offered are limited. Some years back, Wilfred Ashworth wrote an authoritative article covering most of the major administrative problems of multisite library systems and much of what he said still has considerable relevance. But given the increasing pressures resulting from the stringent financial climate and the continuing diversification of polytechnics, it is worth re‐examining some of the management problems associated with multisite library services in polytechnics. My observations are based on numerous conversations with colleagues in other polytechnics and as such have no particular reference to any one library service.

The establishment of the British Library (BL) from the Parry Report of 1967, through Dainton in 1969, to the White Paper of 1971 and the Act of 1972, was contemporaneous with the formation of the polytechnics. The latter had their origins in the White Paper of 1966, A Plan for Polytechnics. The majority of the polytechnics were formed in 1970/71. Their libraries have grown, without central government assistance, to respectable size.

The Dynix system was purchased by Napier Polytechnic of Edinburgh in March 1990, replacing a mixture of manual and small‐scale automated processes. The paper outlines the reasons behind the choice, describes the implementation of the system to date, and discusses the library's development plans. The system is integrated with the Polytechnic network and public access microcomputers in the three major campus libraries.

This study seek to investigate the accessibility and use of the Federal Polytechnic Ado‐Ekiti Library Resources by the part‐time students of the institution.

Data were collected through a questionnaire administered on 210 HND 1, II and III students who all went through the part‐time National Diploma (ND) programme. A total of 190 respondents, representing 90.5 per cent were duly completed, returned and used for this study. Data were analysed using frequencies and percentages.

The result shows that the library was far away from the satellite campus and, therefore, not accessible to the majority of the part‐time students. Their use of the library resources was also below expectations. Recommendations for improvement were made, as appropriate.

The research was confined to one particular institution; the literature on the subject is not well developed, further underlining the need for greater research in this area.

Part‐time students have particular needs, which are easily ignored and which prevent their optimal use of such facilities; it is hoped that this research will give some insight into how this problem can be dealt with.

This contribution to an under‐researched area should stimulate further work on this topic.

First of all, I must apologise for the interval between this VINE and the last. Unfortunately VINE's production cycle is growing longer as automated library systems become more complex, and consequently more time‐consuming to write up. Moreover, in this issue I have attempted in certain articles, for instance those on COM bureaux and the Telepen, to adopt a thematic approach to the subject, rather than reporting on individual projects. The process of cross‐checking the details of such articles with all the organisations concerned has been partly responsible for the delay in publishing VINE 17. Nevertheless in the long terms I still hope to increase the frequency with which VINE is published, thereby increasing its currency and decreasing the size of each individual issue.

Leicester Polytechnic Library uses two types of local area network (LAN). The library is connected to the polytechnic campus Cambridge Ring network which allows data communications within the library, throughout the polytechnic sites and with the wide area network. The library provides various services including an OPAC on this polytechnic network. A second LAN, a 3COM Ethernet, is used for a research project investigating the development of a decision support system on networked microcomputers. This article gives the background to these developments, provides a brief summary of local area networking and describes the network configurations implemented.

Briefly describes the recent history and development of information technology in Hong Kong Polytechnic University Library in all areas of operation. The Library installed the Data Research integrated online library system in 1989, and in early 1991 reorganized its management structure in order to respond more quickly and efficiently to the demands of the information revolution. Taking the revolution in information technologies as an exemplar, analyses the effects such fundamental changes have had on the management and organization of the Polytechnic University Library, and the positive responses made by professional librarians to the challenges facing the library service. In particular, focuses on the management of human resources to meet the burgeoning growth and development of electronic systems. How can senior library staff be organized most effectively to exploit the new technology to the benefit of their users? What practical steps can be taken to train academic staff and students in the availability and use of systems?

VINE is produced at least four times a year with the object of providing up‐to‐date news of work being done in the automation of library housekeeping processes, principally in the UK. It is edited and substantially written by Tony McSean, Information Officer for Library Automation based in Southampton University Library and supported by a grant from the British Library Research and Development Department. Copyright for VINE articles rests with the British Library Board, but opinions expressed in VINE do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the British Library. The subscription to VINE is £10 per year and the subscription period runs from January to December.