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The article discusses employment of usability research methods to design a subject guide format that would better meet student needs at the Oregon Tech Library. Topics discussed include three focus groups holded by librarians on two different campuses with student volunteer participants, participation of Oregon Tech in the MISO, Measuring Information Service Outcomes survey and tracking spreadsheet helps to ensure updated content by listing ideas for new guides.

This article focuses on the marketing strategies of Askcolorado, an information resource, which is a statewide 24/7 virtual reference services of Colorado libraries. The success of the service can be attributed directly to an aggressive marketing campaign targeted at key audiences throughout the state. The Colorado Library Advisory Board (CoLAB) approved funding for AskColorado, and set several specific requirements that influenced how the marketing of the project took place, and what evaluation targets for success were established. Probably the most critical part of implementing any marketing communications plan is the branding process, i.e. selection of the service name, the tagline, and the creation of the logo. The Marketing Committee undertook this piece first. After selecting the name AskColorado, the branding had been established, the Marketing Committee's next step has been to determine who should be targeted and how they could be reached. The residents of Colorado were broken down into several target markets. This included current library users, non-library users who are Web savvy Internet users, and K12 students and educators.

The article offers information on the modern online public access catalog (OPAC) which is available on the Internet through WorldCat in the U.S. As stated, modern OPAC improves on previous catalogs with enhanced search capabilities and is accessible from any computer with an Internet connection. In addition, WorldCat.org offers an interface that displays search results that guide users to the nearest library that holds the item in question, thus allowing the user to find the quickest way of obtaining the item from a library.

The article reports on the significance of using library catalogs in the U.S. As stated, library catalogs help patrons become better searchers. They also identify errors, evaluate the needs of patrons and provides alternative search strategies that yield additional and higher quality information. It also make the search process more interactive. Catalogs could also list a few books from similar subject headings, nearby call numbers or even commonly checked out library materials. In addition, catalogs can adapt faster to the changing needs of patrons.

The article discusses the significance of Public Access Computers (PAC) in libraries in the U.S. Patrons rely on PAC for popular services like Web browsing, word processing and electronic mail. However, PACs require regular maintenance and many PACs in use are nearing their end-of-life. At Coastal Resource Sharing Network (CRSN), they have begun implementing thin client technology. Of the 120 PACs in their consortium, 47 are thin clients, serving patrons in five libraries. The switch to thin clients has helped reduce the maintenance workload associated with PACs and has provided patrons with a consistent, always up-to-date- user experience.

The article offers a report relating to the Oregon Digital Library Consortium. The section discusses how and why the association was formed, how it functions, and how it represents the libraries in the community. It provides informations about the public libraries of Oregon meeting during the Oregon Library Association conference, were they discuss the idea of combining resources to provide downloadable audio books to public library patrons in Oregon. It also reflects on several problems being experienced by the Oregon Digital Library Reserve since the opening of the Library 2 Go technological community.