This paper reports an industrial information specialist's experience in performing online searches for engineers and surveys the databases used. Engineers seeking assistance fall into three categories: (1) those who recognize the value of online retrieval; (2) referrals by colleagues; and (3) those who do not seek help. As more successful searches…

Using the resources of the Women's Educational Equity Communications Network (WEECN), the authors addressed two questions: (1) What are the topics that have been extensively researched, and (2) What are the topics most frequently requested by those using information on women's educational equity? Some initial findings of this study are presented…

This paper introduces the essential concepts underlying management information systems (MIS) from the managerial perspective, then outlines a form of MIS design and implementation that may be attainable in a Caribbean educational setting. The growing importance of information and the increasing need to amass thorough information for decision…

Database publishers are in a position to assist corporate users in their transition into the future by providing services which successfully integrate online systems with the larger information systems. Information is one of industry's most valuable assets. Present and future technological advancements offer the means for controlling burgeoning…

Reviews of use studies of online systems at academic libraries support the need for aggressive public relations techniques to increase usage. An examination of user needs reveals the existence of a potential market of users that can substantially benefit from online services, but, so far, has not been reached by the libraries that supply these…

The increasing cost of data collection, increasing complexity of data analysis procedures, and limited funding for educational research require greater utilization of existing data sets for multiple purposes. At the same time, the problems associated with such access to data require the development of guidelines by the profession which will both…

This paper reports on the development of an online union catalog of serials using OCLC by the Central New York Library Resources Council. The project, now in the third of four years, is converting from a hard copy union catalog of serials to an online catalog that will have the important advantage of immediate update. Using the OCLC interlibrary…

User perception of data importance and the economic feasibility of hardware and storage devices will determine the future direction of online systems. A retrieval system's functions are ultimately dictated by database design. Early online sytems were designed for bibliographic information limited to citations only using sequential files. When…

Presents the opening remarks and keynote addresses of a conference held in Toronto June 1-3, 1988. In the first address W. David Penniman presents a brief history of information technology and discusses issues of current concern. In the second, Jeffrey Katzer questions current assumptions underlying information science and discusses communications…

Computer technology and data banks are making manual storage systems outdated; yet it is difficult for libraries to obtain funding for automated retrieval equipment. Five suggestions to meet funding needs are offered. The effect on publishers of the projected decrease in book use is also noted. (SW)

This conference paper addresses the abundance of information delivery choices available to academic library online searchers. Following a review of changes and choices that have developed during the past decade, the paper suggests 10 ways for the searcher to keep up to date in this fast changing field: (1) read subject-related journals, system…

Discusses need for retrospective conversion of library catalogs in terms of user-problems related to split catalogs in various formats. Difficulties to be overcome in retrospective conversion projects (ownership of records, costs, non-Roman script languages, standards and inhospitability of MARC for variety of manuscript and pictorial material)…

The role of information research centers in institutional research activities was explored, based on 1,040 requests for student data at an information center at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, during 1980-1985. Three distinct information center markets were identified and mechanisms for serving each market were recommended. The first was…

The types and number of faculty cases litigated and reported at state and federal levels for the 1982 calendar year are examined. Each case is reviewed for the basic facts, the underlying legal rationale, the data requirements, and the decision of the court. It is noted that categorical data summaries were developed of the cases and the associated…

This paper argues that the European Documentation and Information System for Education (EUDISED) had a highly successful first stage of development, but that it is currently going through a period of stagnation. The system's decentralization, multilingual approach, and coverage of a full range of educational data make it plain that EUDISED is a…