The use of text mining tools can help librarians improve the precision of searches, increase search sensitivity, and translate search strategies across multiple research databases. When combined with the intuitive approaches that librarians commonly use, text mining tools help reduce biases by improving the objectivity, transparency, and…

This review of new developments and products in online services discusses trends in travel related services; full text databases; statistical source databases; an emphasis on regional and international business news; and user friendly systems. (Author/CLB)

This report describes the development in 1986 of a management information system by the Sacramento City (California) Unified School District for use in high schools. A nine-page attachment, which comprises two-thirds of the report, offers profiles of selected schools drawn from the databases. Data sets of 200 information items, collected from all…

Designed to characterize journals as part of the selection process for journals to be included in an information retrieval database, two studies used bibliometric techniques to examine patterns of publishing and topic patterns and coverage, and a third developed a rule-based system to evaluate the qualities of a journal. (CLB)

This manual is designed to assist librarians in programming unique database applications that meet specific library needs. Chapter 1 goes over the basic functions of working with Windows, describes terms such as multitasking, and shows how to use the menu and tool bars. Chapter 2 covers the basics, defines some useful terms, and presents the steps…

This project was designed to develop a uniform statistical reporting system that could be used by all of the library departments at Chicago State University to collect statistical information, both for major statistical reports, and for the library's daily operations. It is noted that the statistical forms were designed to enable the staff member…

These two brief guides are designed to assist users in searching the GPO Monthly Catalog of Government Publications and the ERIC databases on CD-ROM produced by Silver Platter Information, Inc. Each guide contains step-by-step instructions for: (1) simple subject searching using basic Boolean connectors; (2) displaying and printing; (3) correcting…

This article outlines an Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) CD-ROM bibliographic instruction (BI) session at an academic library, which is intended to produce knowledgeable and competent ERIC searchers. The 1.5 hour lecture session includes: a basic introduction to the ERIC database; narrowing down a search topic; using the thesaurus…

In the fall of 1988, a survey was conducted to evaluate the adoption of CD-ROM systems in U.S. colleges and universities by examining which major CD-ROM databases were available through the reference departments of academic libraries. The sample was composed of 200 institutions of higher education offering graduate degrees in psychology. The…

Discusses the use of optical disk technology in online searching and compares three versions of the ERIC database currently available on optical disk in terms of hardware requirements, ease of installation, scope and cost of the system, search procedures, displaying and printing results, and documentation and user support. (CLB)

This report discusses a workshop conducted by the library of San Jose State University to instruct eight students with learning disabilities (SLD) in the use of CD-ROM databases. The workshop contributors believed that CD-ROM databases could simplify research paper and homework assignments for such students. The 5-month workshop sought not only to…

The development of CD-ROM following early computers and powerful personal computers will affect information retrieval by its accessibility and large storage capacity. Users will demand specific information and data sets from libraries, which could provide large research capacities. Librarians will act as database managers, thus enhancing their…

Proposes a framework for the design of a full function workstation for information retrieval based on study of information seeking behavior. A large amount of local storage of the CD-ROM jukebox variety and full networking capability to both local and external databases are identified as requirements of the prototype. (MES)

This book is a comprehensive guide to help school librarians and teachers find and make the best use of government information the new electronic environment. The first chapter "Internet Basics and Federal Information on the Web: An Introduction" shows how to get started by discussing Internet basics, document formats commonly used by…

This composite report provides summaries of presentations by 10 experts at the 23rd Annual Clinic on Library Applications of Data Processing in April 1986 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. All were concerned with the design of online systems to make them easier for library patrons to use. (Author/CDD)