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Noting that under-utilization of information services and systems in developing countries has recently been confirmed by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) surveys and studies, this paper discusses problems and issues leading to this under-utilization, and examines approaches and actions that could help improve the utilization of information systems if they were undertaken by international organizations at the national and institutional levels. Definitions are provided of user education, user orientation, and user assistance, and a table is used to make the distinctions clear. Interrelationships between the activities in these three categories and their influences on each other are briefly described. A dual approach to user education is recommended: (1) national information policies and programs should explicitly define policies, programs, and minimum standards on user education; and (2) national educational policies and programs should explicitly set out policies, programs, and minimum standards on school and university library and information facilities and services and user education at all educational levels, including formal and nonformal education. User orientation and user assistance are each discussed in turn. Finally, the environment of, and national and international actions with respect to, computerized information systems are discussed. Seven references are listed. (THC)

1Boy Crusoe

By Allan Eric

Also published as" A Yankee Crusoe" . A 15 year old hard working and studious farm boy finds the lure of adventure on the seas as a merchant seaman more than he can resist. This is his story. " I was born in a little town in the State of Maine, near the close of the Civil War. My boyhood life did not differ materially from that of the average farmer's son in the remote country districts of New England--except, perhaps, that I read more and thought more. Hard work on the rugged soil, two terms each year in the little yellow country schoolhouse, a day's fishing now and then filled the early years of my life full to over-flowing. " What he gets is enough excitement and adventure to overflow his wildest dreams. How he experiences disaster and uses his wits and knowledge to overcome every problem makes for a great read. - Summary by Phil Chenevert