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In this article Robert Davies outlines the aims of the European Commission supported Project DECIDE. He describes the Project stages, analyses the work to date — the activities undertaken and ‘deliverables’ produced by DECIDE — and discusses the preliminary findings regarding both user and technical requirements.

The paper describes the experience of Carpenter Davies Associates in initiating and managing European library and information projects and draws conclusions about the role of the future information professional based on these. Suggested responses by the information professional to developments in information and communications technology and some long standing professional problems are offered. The independent existence of an information profession in future is then discussed and the nature of the training required and the mode of its delivery questioned.

The importance and challenges in providing a good practice evidence base for adult protection are outlined. The literature search, review and mapping exercise that formed part of the Abuse of Adults with Learning Disabilities: Policy, Practice and Educational Implications in Wales research study is detailed. The article presents examples from this evidence mapping exercise and considers the importance of adult protection research to the future development of policy and practice.

The value which can be placed upon the rights of property in a name of a commodity, a food or drink, perhaps famous all over the world, which has come down to us through the centuries, is incalculable. Most of such foods and drinks have a regional association, and are prepared according to methods, often secret, handed down from one generation to another and from locally grown and produced materials. Nowhere are such traditions so well established as in cheese‐making and the wine industry. The names do not signify merely a method of manufacture, since this can be simulated almost anywhere, nor even the raw materials, but differences in climate, the soil and its treatment, its produce, harvesting, even in the contaminants of environment. Rochfort cheese, for example, is made from ewe's milk, but most important, with mould growths found only in the caves of that part of France where it is stored.

In the matter of food purity and control Hospital Catering Services have been outside the law, a privileged position where the general law of food and drugs have never applied and the modern regulatory control in food hygiene has similarly not applied. In the eyes of the general public hospital catering standards have always been high above the general run of food preparation. As the NHS continued, complaints began gradually to seep out of the closed community, of dirt in the kitchens and prevalent hygiene malpractices. The general standard for most hospitals remained high but there were no means of dealing with the small minority of complaints which disgusted patients and non‐cater‐ing staff, such as insect and rodent infestations, and an increase in the frequency of food poisoning outbreaks.

The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to a number of initiatives in train at European and international level to promote the value of public investments in digital information from different perspective.

Major developments in three key areas are described and assessed in terms of their potential impact on libraries in the digital era.

Significant progress is being made in opening up digital information for wider use but major barriers and constraints remain to be addressed.

The paper brings together inter‐related perspectives, e.g. those of public and private sector users, which are not always seen as part of the same picture. It is of interest to a wide range of stakeholders in the information society and the knowledge economy.

Companies under threat can call upon three main types of innovation. First, market innovation – improving the mix of markets served. Second, product innovation – improving the mix of products offered. Third, process innovation – improving the mix and efficiency of internal operations. All types of innovation pose challenges, particularly to companies with little or no experience of managing change. Reports on efforts in five companies which needed to change to stay alive. Describes the types of innovation chosen by their CEOs and the means used to start the innovation process. Marketing considerations were found to be of decisive importance.