Synopsis By embracing automation in the form of computer and telecommunication technologies, libraries are now able to offer services that they were quite unable to offer earlier. Automation has resulted in the abolition of some departments and the down-sizing of others, as well as the emergence of new entities. The technology that has overlaid new prerequisites concepts and skills upon those that have been required for effective use of the print-based library. The library's role in education and training can be said to involve the fostering of two major skills: ability to find relevant information and ability to evaluate its content in a critical fashion. How the vendors splay an intermediary role between libraries and publishers is the main essence of this book.

Use of CD-ROM products continues to increase dramatically in many libraries and CD-ROM installations can have other effects on the policies and services of the library. The internet is arguably the electronic resource that is now having the most significant impact on library services and operations. Within a short period of time, libraries and librarians have integrated the use of the internet into nearly all aspects of current library activities. The book explores research for, approaches to, and types of data that can be used in the performance evaluation of online systems.