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It is usually a straightforward task in assessing the library resources for the teaching and research role of a university library. The teaching faculty members inform their students, and sometimes the library staff, as to which information resources will be needed to fulfil the objectives of the lecturer. Direct demand soon makes any omissions apparent, whether or not financial constraints allow anything to be done about them.

The Library of Congress (LC) compact disc machine‐readable catalogue (CD‐MARC) was recently acquired by the Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan. Its use by the cataloguing librarians was evaluated in terms of efficiency (effect on cataloguing lime) and effectiveness (effect on monthly output) when compared with using other information sources such as microfiches, cataloguing‐in‐publication (CIP) data and printed sources — LC subject headings, LC National Union Catalogue, LC monographic series, etc. The positive influence of the new technology was evident as there were reductions in cataloguing time and increases in monthly output of items catalogued.

Suggests that access to and sharing of information resources are dependent on the automation of library operations and use of computers. Profiles characteristics of libraries in three African countries (Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria), with particular emphasis on the state of the art of technological capabilities. A very small number of libraries have online public access catalogues, and very few of the respondents to the survey reported here indicated that their staff members had an excellent knowledge of computers and computer functions. About 44 per cent of responding libraries own computers, and the most common microcomputer application is local database searching. Lack of funds and training in librarianship are two major problems, though the vast majority of librarians indicated a strong desire to further their education in librarianship. When planning automation, it is important for African librarians and computer scientists to get leaders in authority involved. Resource sharing and co‐operation among libraries need to be given serious consideration.

Reports a study of staff opinion concerning job rotation at the University of Ilorin Library. Data were gathered using a questionnaire. It was found that the reaction to the possible introduction of job rotation was generally positive. It is suggested that the library manager should consider the introduction of a policy of job rotation policy in the library and indicates an approach that could be used when it is introduced.

The major objective of this study was to analyse the citation patterns of agricultural scientists in Tanzania. The specific objectives were to: assess researchers’ access to information as reflected from citation analysis; establish a list of core agricultural journals for agricultural researchers in Tanzania using citation analysis and user opinions; and find out the extent to which the available information resources meet the research needs revealed by the study. The study involved the analysis of 295 MSc theses and 21 PhD theses submitted at Sokoine University of Agriculture between 1989‐1999, and 309 conference proceeding articles published during the same period. It is concluded that generally agricultural scientists in the country had limited access to current journals. A number of options are recommended to alleviate the situation, with a focus on electronic journal provision supported by international organisations.

This article identifies and defines some of the more commonly used terms and phrases which have been used to describe the evolving online/electronic/virtual/digital library phenomenon. Includes examination of findings from the authors’ examination of selected keywords increasingly found in the literature of both library and information science as well as in the literature of computer science, within the context of a (1970‐1997) bibliographic search for these terms in library literature, INSPEC, and EI COMPENDEX.

Assesses the impact of CD‐ROM on reference information services in Ghanaian libraries via the results of a questionnaire which was sent to ten relevant libraries. The results reveal to what end CD‐ROM is being used, to what extent and to what advantage and disadvantage. Observes that although CD‐ROM appears to be beneficial to reference services, it is also highlighting various problems in information services in general. Also notes the problem of limited user access to CD‐ROM facilities owing to over‐protectiveness and lack of staff training.