Joe Ryan

Comparison of macrobenthos collected with cores and suction sampler in vegetated and unvegetated marine habitats

A comparison of shallow water benthic macrofauna collected with hand-held cores and a suction sampler shoed that the core method provided the best estimate of macrofaunal density and composition. In a bare sand habitat, suction methods collected 72.8% fewer individuals per unit surface area of sediment. The difference was 32.6% in a seagrass (Halodule wrightii) habitat. At each site the number of species collected with the two devices was similar; however, population densities of numerically important species were underestimated with the suction device resulting in effects on community statistics. In addition to high sampling efficiency and statistical advantages associated with the use of the multiple cores, ease of operation and low construction cost make simple core tubes the preferred gear for sampling small macrobenthos in soft sediments, with or without vegetation.

Museums and galleries on the Internet

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.

Politics and Advocacy: The Role of Networking in Selling the Library to Your Community

SUMMARY Current research conducted by the Information Use Management and Policy Institute, Florida State University, identifies the characteristics of the successfully networked public library (SNPL) and in particular explores the impact of technology on both library advocacy and networking in the political system. This paper identifies the factors that are critical to a public librarys success in advocacy, community support, government relations, and ultimately the perceived importance of the library in the community. This perspective on the SNPL is reinforced by the examination of Cuyahoga County Public Librarys program to use the strategies of the SNPL.

Developing national network statistics and performance measures for US public libraries: issues, findings and recommendations

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.

Federal information resources management: New challenges for the nineties

Abstract Information resources management (IRM), introduced two decades ago in 1974, emerged in the 1980s as a key organizing framework for U.S. Federal information policy and management practices. IRM in the 1990s must deal with a fundamental shift in focus from efficient internal management of paper-based information delivery systems to effective management of a externally targeted, digitally networked, interactive, exchange of information and services with citizens. This changed context will bring both new opportunities and challenges. This article identifies critical success factors that IRM must address and offers recommendations for how best to meet these challenges and opportunities based on discussions with senior IRM leaders.

A Pathfinder to Core Resources for Network Users

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 Role of Public Libraries in the Use of NREN

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.