Moving into the new millennium, educational, library, and other cultural organizations confront a significant challenge transitioning innovative IT applications and projects into sustainable information services. The session aims to facilitate dialogue and encourage shared experience amongst those who have a stake in this transition. To do so, it describes three different perspectives on the problem and the possible solutions that apply in each case. Each perspective is derived from a distinctive approach to IT innovation.

The Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) of the UK's Higher Education Funding Councils represents a predominantly top-down approach to service innovation. Benefiting from a top-slice or tax on the nation's c.185 higher education institutions, the JISC devotes itself to the development of innovative information services and projects which promise to benefit the community generally in its exploitation of IT.

A second "bottom up" perspective is presented by the US-based Digital Libraries Federation which acts as a facilitating organization stimulating and focusing the efforts of, but ultimately relying upon, members' voluntary contributions.

A third perspective is presented by the National Science Foundation and the European Union. Although mobilizing substantial central funding, both bodies invest in research and development work on enabling technologies whose existence may lever information service developments on local, regional, national, and even international levels.

In order to facilitate comparability and discussion, presentations will address common themes. In particular, the initiatives that are represented will describe their aims and how their organizational and funding models help to fulfill them. They will also identify the organizational, financial, and other challenges they perceive when considering how to ensure that research, development, project, and other investment contributes to the evolution and growth of sustainable information services, and some of the steps they are taking to confront these challenges.

Is wireless communication technology the wave of the future, or is it already here today? The answer is -- probably both. While it's true that many colleges and universities are experimenting with wireless communications today, the reality is that while there is considerable hype and promise, there are also practical realities to recognize. The University of Kentucky (UK) has actively tracked and experimented with wireless technologies to serve various constituency needs for at least 5 years. In the last 2 years, we have successfully deployed wireless to support "production level services" in several different environments. This session will review the deployment of wireless at UK in the newly opened W. T. Young Library and in the curriculum within the College of Engineering. The session will include a review of the state of the technology today, an overview of the use of wireless at UK, and a practical review of what we have learned.

This presentation provides an update on overall Internet2 efforts with a focus on progress since the last CNI meeting in the I2-Digital Video Working Group, I2-Distributed Storage Infrastructure, the Middleware Initiative, the Quality of Service Working Group, and the Abilene network. For example, the Digital Video Working Group is trying to very aggressively put in place a video conferencing infrastructure that is available on demand to a large number of higher education users. Likewise, the Middleware Initiative is looking to scale up campus or regional efforts in such areas as authentication, authorization, and directory services. I will also cover any announcements being made about new initiatives and will provide an overview of the applications demonstrations underway at the Highway 1 facility.

The National Learning Infrastructure Initiative (NLII) is an EDUCAUSE project to create new collegiate learning environments that harness the power of information technology to improve the quality of teaching and learning, contain or reduce rising costs, and provide greater access to higher education. The Instructional Management Systems (IMS) Project is an NLII project, with joint investment membership of commercial, government, and academic organizations, which is developing an open architecture and a set of specficiations for facilitating the growth and viability of the distributed learning market. This CNI project briefing will cover the 1999 and 2000 program plans for the NLII, a related program, the Teaching and Learning Initiative, and the IMS Project.

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), through its Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), is working to ensure that the Web is accessible to people with disabilities, and at the same time increase usability for non-disabled users. With the Web's emergence as a key resource for education, employment, commerce, and government, it is vital that this medium is accessible.

Ms. Brewer will describe how a partnership of industry, disability organizations, access research centers, and government is working together to address Web accessibility. She will focus on improvements in Web technologies to facilitate accessibility; guidelines for Web content developers and Web- based applications manufacturers; and initiatives to raise awareness and provide training on accessibility solutions.

This briefing will highlight two projects: The Scholarly Digital Resources Center and Visual Imagery for the Health Sciences. The University of Iowa Libraries has established the Scholarly Digital Resources Center (SDRC) to foster creation and use of multi-media digitized collections and resources of interest to the University of Iowa community in partnership with faculty. The SDRC serves as a dynamic virtual center of expertise for building digital collections, electronic publishing, and creation of unique research and teaching materials.

Since 1996 the University of Iowa Libraries has been a national leader using QTVR ( QuickTime Virtual Reality) for research and development. The Information Commons, located in the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, is the only library-based facility in the country producing virtual reality anatomical objects with this technology. The presentation will include how QTVR has been used by demonstrating several applications of this technology.

Universities are expanding their academic agendas in many ways. By allowing graduate students to submit their theses and dissertations in digital formats, universities, particularly their libraries and the graduate schools, develop policies and procedures leading to the extension of the university into the virtual academy. Virginia Tech has led the way by requiring ETDs and by helping found the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD). With nearly 2000 theses and dissertations online and the collaboration of over 50 other universities, it has compiled a wealth of information to share. This presentation will reveal the university policies that worked well and the ones that needed modifying, the reactions of ETD authors (both before and after) to this two-year old requirement, and the many resulting benefits for students and universities.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is developing ideas for a new funding program for libraries under the auspices of the White House Digital Library for Education initiative. Funds will be used to digitize library materials including print collections of books and newspapers. However, more than basic access will be required to create a successful Digital Library for Education. Participants are invited to share their ideas for developing learning experiences using digital materials - particularly books and newspaper - for students at all grade levels.