Distributed to some depository libraries in microfiche.

The Senate Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space held a hearing in Billings, Montana, on rural America's access to the National Information Infrastructure (NII) and uses of NII in the provision of rural education and services. An Assistant Secretary of Commerce discussed the development of the Internet, problems in rural access to the Internet and other information technologies, a federal grant program that helps rural communities to gain such access, and the effects of deregulation on rural access. A researcher outlined the potential impact of technology on rural schools, including opportunities for new distance learning models, for new models of student learning, and for improving teacher development. A health services administrator described the Eastern Montana Telemedicine Network, which delivers specialist physician consultation through video conferencing, delivers mental health consultative services, offers continuing medical and higher education programming to rural communities, and provides community outreach and telebusiness opportunities to geographically isolated communities. The computer systems and telecommunications director at Salish Kootenai College discussed the problems of providing telecommunications technology to tribal colleges on American Indian reservations and related problems involving rural telephone cooperatives, inadequate telephone service, and obsolete laws governing the delivery of utility services. Representatives of communications companies discussed the potential role of NII in promoting rural development and delivering rural services, and the need for continued Congressional action to support telecommunications competition. (SV)

The 1994 Forum on Library and Information Services was planned to provide an opportunity to explore the role of libraries in the evolving information and communications infrastructure. This report on the proceedings of the Forum begins with the agenda and a list of the participants. Two roles of the Department of Education relating to libraries and the Internet/National Information Infrastructure (NII) are then examined. The next three sections are structured around: (1) the federal perspective; (2) the state, local, and institutional perspective; and (3) measuring the value of information services. Each session is divided into four parts: panel presentations with a moderator; discussants who offer comments on the panel presentations and the topic; open group discussion; and a summation to identify issues and needed actions. The report concludes with a review and evaluation of the forum highlighting implications of development and changes in library and information services for data collection and analyses, and a luncheon presentation on implementing the Institute for Postsecondary Education, Libraries, and Lifelong Education. Four appendices present a draft of a statement on libraries and the NII for public comment; descriptions of the Louisiana Libraries Network Project and the Blacksburg (Virginia) Electronic Village; and a summary of a current study of the costs and beneficial impacts of library functions. (JLB)

Explores the integral role of libraries in the evolving information and communications infrastructure. Also discusses information services value measurement within the changing library and information services environment.

Law of the Internet, Fourth Edition is a two-volume up-to-date legal resource covering electronic commerce and online contracts, privacy and network security, intellectual property and online content management, secure electronic transactions, cryptography, and digital signatures, protecting intellectual property online through link licenses, frame control and other methods, online financial services and securities transactions, antitrust and other liability. The Law of the Internet, Fourth Edition quickly and easily gives you everything you need to provide expert counsel on: Privacy laws and the Internet Ensuring secure electronic transactions, cryptography, and digital signatures Protecting intellectual property online - patents, trademarks, and copyright Electronic commerce and contracting Online financial services and electronic payments Antitrust issues, including pricing, bundling and tying Internal network security Taxation of electronic commerce Jurisdiction in Cyberspace Defamation and the Internet Obscene and indecent materials on the Internet Regulation of Internet access and interoperability The authors George B. Delta and Jeffrey H. Matsuura -- two Internet legal experts who advise America's top high-tech companies -- demonstrate exactly how courts, legislators and treaties expand traditional law into the new context of the Internet and its commercial applications, with all the citations you'll need. The Law of the Internet also brings you up to date on all of the recent legal, commercial, and technical issues surrounding the Internet and provides you with the knowledge to thrive in the digital marketplace. Special features of this two-volume resource include timesaving checklists and references to online resources.