* The United Kingdom is way behind the United States when its comes to providing library users with free access to electronic information and the Internet, according to a survey by library associations in both countries.Comparison of Internet Connectivity claims that 45 per cent of all US public libraries are connected to the Net, compared to only 3 per cent in the UK. However, the speed of connection, thequality of the World Wide Web graphics and the electronic services offered in UK libraries were of higher quality.

Financial constraints mean nearly half of these libraries have to charge for the service compared with 3.5 per cent in the US. Further information from Miranda McKearney at the Library Association (tel: 01962 853747) or The Information for All Web site at http:www.ukoln.ac.ukinformall