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The key to successful use of microcomputers in library and information work, as in any other application, is software that carries out the desired operations efficiently. Much marketing impetus in the microcomputer world is devoted to hardware: perhaps because it is much easier to produce a glossy photograph of a computer than it is of a floppy disk with programs on it. By contrast, almost all experience of microcomputers leads to the conclusion that buyers and users should start a microcomputer project by choosing the software for the systems they propose to implement, and then select suitable hardware to run the chosen package.

This paper sets out to present a brief history of electronic licensing initiatives before considering current practices for managing licences to electronic resources. The intention is to obtain a detailed understanding of the requirements needed for a registry of electronic licences that will enable usage terms and conditions to be presented to end‐users at point of use.

Two extensive focus groups were held, each comprising representatives from the main stakeholder groups. These structured events considered existing and ongoing issues and approaches towards licence management and investigated a range of “use‐cases” where potential usages for a licence registry were outlined and discussed.

The results form part of a requirements gathering and analysis process which will inform the development of a registry of electronic licences. The work forms part of the JISC‐funded Registry of Electronic Licences (RELI) project.. The paper finds that there are many complexities when dealing with electronic licences such as licence specificity, licence interpretation, definitions of authorised users and dissemination of usage terms and conditions.

These issues and others are considered and the impact on a subsequent registry of electronic licences is discussed. It is clear from the findings that there is a real and immediate need for a licence registry.

The paper provides a rich picture of the concerns and practices adopted both when managing licences and when ensuring conformance with licences to electronic resources. The findings have enabled the scope of a licence registry to be determined. The registry is currently under development.

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 The 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 for 1983 for VINE is £22 for UK subscribers and £25 for overseas subscribers. The first copy will be charged at normal rate, but all others will be supplied for only £12 per year UK and £14 per year overseas. VINE is available in either paper copy or microfiche and all back issues are available on microfiche.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the most recent literature concerning document supply and related matters.

The approach is based on the reading of over 150 journals as well as monographs, reports and web sites.

It was found that the fundamental debate on the direction of scholarly publishing continues intensely. Electronic books remain a minority market but the literature at least remains optimistic. The mass digitisation of books continues apace. Open access continues to grow but with continuing and widely differing views on its impact.

The paper represents a useful source of information for librarians and others interested in document supply and related matters.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the most recent literature concerning document supply and related matters.

The approach is based on the reading of over 150 journals as well as monographs, reports and web sites.

It was found that the fundamental debate on the direction of scholarly publishing continues intensely. Electronic books remain a minority market but some commentators suggest that screen readability has improved significantly. The mass digitisation of books continues apace. Open Access continues to grow but with widely differing views on its impact – the publishers fight back.

The paper represents a useful source of information for librarians and others interested in document supply and related matters.

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 housekeeping processes, principally in the UK. It is produced and substantially written by the Editor who is based at the Polytechnic of Central London and supported by a grant from the British Library Board and opinions expressed in VINE do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the British Library. The subscription for 1984 to VINE is: £23 for UK subscribers, £26 to overseas subscribers (including airmail delivery). Second and subsequent copies to the same address are charged at £14 for UK and £16 for overseas. VINE is available on either paper or microfiche copy and all back issues are available on microfiche.

This paper reviews the history of separate online system interfaces, leading to efforts to develop expert systems for searching databases, particularly for end users, and introduces the research in such expert systems. Appended is a bibliography of sources on interfaces and expert systems for online retrieval.

What is it about academia anyway? We profess to hate it, spend endless amounts of time complaining about it, and yet we in academia will do practically anything to stay. The pay may be low, job security elusive, and in the end, it's not the glamorous work we envisioned it would be. Yet, it still holds fascination and interest for us. This is an article about American academic fiction. By academic fiction, I mean novels whosemain characters are professors, college students, and those individuals associated with academia. These works reveal many truths about the higher education experience not readily available elsewhere. We learn about ourselves and the university community in which we work.

The following bibliography focuses mainly on programs which can run on IBM microcomputers and compatibles under the operating system PC DOS/MS DOS, and which can be used in online information and documentation work. They fall into the following categories: