Reviews evolution of West Germany's national library and information services in three periods--early development of national library services, 1946-48; creation of national library associations, 1946-49; establishment of systematic planning for national library and information services, 1971-83. A comparison of West German services with those of…

This report considers the effects of new technology (online search services) on user access to information; the role of libraries in providing such access; the structure of a future national information network in the United Kingdom; and general managerial considerations. Seventeen references are cited. (EJS)

Defines criteria applicable to implementation of end-user online searching service in academic education library (ease of use, flexibility, administrative ease, security, compatibility with available equipment) and describes systems in four categories--software (front ends, downloaded subsets), gateways, user friendly vendors, and straight vendor…

Addresses concept of automated library systems as integration of traditional bibliographic transaction processing applications and advanced office systems. Functional application distribution for this system is discussed using Computer Consoles, Inc., Office Power and Prime Computer, Inc., and Prime Office Automation System to show office…

This annual review article examines the automated library system marketplace from four perspectives: turnkey circulation systems, library-developed software which may be purchased by other libraries, the microcomputer segment of market, and production of COM catalogs. Addresses of 86 turnkey vendors, software vendors, library-developed systems,…

Four artificial intelligence (AI) concepts that have relevance for information retrieval systems are discussed and applied to area of authority control in automated catalogs--pattern recognition, representation, problem solving, learning. Existing automated authority control systems are analyzed using two other AI concepts, augmentation and…

Examines hypothesis that it is technologically and economically feasible to move content of documents electronically among library network rather than documents themselves or photocopies thereof. Comparisons on basis of response-to-request time, quality of reproduced copy, cost factors, a three-node network, and economic study are highlighted. Six…

Briefly reviews history of library automation before discussing factors that libraries should consider before choosing to go online (collection size, machine-readable database, computer equipment, costs), and features of online catalogs (database organization, search features, authority files, display options). Information about selected online…

This report (1) describes the development of libraries in China; (2) examines Chinese library, documentation, and scholarly publications from a historical perspective; and (3) outlines the present state of the art as reflected by the situation before and after the Cultural Revolution. The history of public libraries, university and school…

The three papers presented discuss the components of the pricing structure for online service vendors (Roger Summit); describe an information system designed to provide agricultural weather data to farmers (Lehnert and Scott); and explore the impact of information delivery systems for the home (Mark Plakias). (FM)

Addresses problems encountered by self-taught "talented amateurs" doing microcomputer systems work for libraries: not maintaining design control, not maintaining operational control, attempting to use someone else's database, having variety of diverse systems activity converging on common database, attempting to run whole show, and…

Reviews types of electronically and optically published media (EOPM) and their various delivery methods, briefly discussing their applications in the library. Highlights include the advantages and disadvantages of a library making use of EOPM and the impact of EOPM on different aspects of the librarian's world. Fourteen sources are given. (EJS)

The papers presented at the 18th Clinic on Library Applications of Data Processing discuss current developments and applications of new technologies for processing, transmitting, and storing information, as well as some issues raised by these new technologies. Ten papers are included: (1) a keynote speech on the changing roles of the information…