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Policies and practices of UK public libraries in providing access to Internet services are reviewed. Results of a questionnaire survey conducted as part of the Library and Information Commission funded PuPPS (public places, private spaces) scoping study of privacy, anonymity and confidentiality in public libraries, are reported. Ninety‐six per cent of respondents indicated that they had Internet facilities for the public. Many respondents indicated that they had policy documents on provision of and access to electronic and print materials. The majority of libraries (71 per cent) imposed some form of control on public access computers and a smaller majority (56 per cent) on staff only computers. The reliability and effectiveness of software currently available for filtering and blocking was a major cause for concern amongst respondents. The major reason for the imposition of control software appeared to be concern about access to sexually explicit material. The use of such software is frequently part of a broad corporate policy, designed to protect the local authority from adverse criticism by public or staff. Issues of privacy, anonymity and confidentiality were of lesser concern to public library respondents than control of public access to inappropriate material on the Internet.

This article has been withdrawn as it was published elsewhere and accidentally duplicated. The original article can be seen here: 10.1108/00251749510089027. When citing the article, please cite: Tony Oulton, Shelagh Fisher, (1995), “Using libraries”, Management Decision, Vol. 33 Iss: 5, pp. 16 - 21.

The aim of the DECIMAL Project is to produce an integrated Decision Support Module for library management systems. This is being developed from an assessment of the needs and practices of library managers in small to medium size libraries in the UK, Spain and Italy. The Project, which commenced in February 1995, comprises four Phases — Management, Research, Technical Development and Evaluation. The objectives and structure of the Project are described, with an account of progress in the technical development to date and a summary of the findings of the Research Phase. The Module is being developed to incorporate both textual and numeric information to support the decision process.

The field of information management is defined for the non‐expert. The origins of information management are outlined, including the Paperwork Reduction Act. The factors which have contributed to the growth of information management as an area of employment and education are discussed, including the concept of information as a resource. Examples are provided of the role of information management, particularly in the National Health Service, local government and banking. It is suggested that information management is hospitable to a range of diverse professionals but that librarians and information scientists can and should make a significant contribution.

The DECIMAL project is a two‐year programme of research and technical investigation towards the development of a decision support module for integrated library systems. Describes the results of the research phase of the project. Examines the significance of performance measurement and other non‐numeric information sources as input to the decision‐making process in a range of small to medium‐sized libraries.

Suggests that the conclusions of a research study, whether one′s own or another′s, have value as a source of information for decision making. Aims to remind experienced managers and prompt “students” of management on various approaches to research. Defines research, and evaluates its worth in terms of validity, reliability and generalizability. Looks at various approaches to research, in particular quantitative and qualitative research, and at the interpretation of findings. Explains the use of statistical inference, statistical expression of probability and non‐parametric and multivariate statistics.

Advances in technology and telecommunication have enabled libraries to provide access to information beyond their own bookstocks. Provides an introduction to the library environment indicating the various types of library and their relevance to managers and students of business. Goes on to provide guidance on using libraries, e.g. the services available, types of classification schemes used and the library catalogue.

Suggests that the conclusions of a research study, whether one′s own or another′s have value as a source of information for decision making. Aims to remind experienced managers and prompt “students” of management on various approaches to research. Defines research, and evaluates its worth in terms of validity, reliability and generalizability. Looks at various approaches to research, in particular quantitative and qualitative research, and at the interpretation of findings. Explains the use of statistical inference, statistical expression of probability and non‐parametric and multivariate statistics.

Elsevier and OCLC have agreed to make all 1100‐plus Elsevier Science journals available electronically. A planned service called Elsevier Electronic Subscriptions will offer libraries complete electronic editions either in addition to or instead of paper ones. There will also be the option to use OCLC's SiteSearch system, which allows building, maintaining and searching databases locally, and OCLC's Guidon graphical user interface. This year will comprise a pilot scheme at five sites in North America, and the service should then launch commercially if the trials go well. On offer will be Group 4 facsimile images of pages plus searchable text and tables of contents. The scheme builds on Elsevier's TULIP project, extending the scope to cover all journals.