The trajectory of U.S. higher education in the next 20 years is portrayed by some as an arc of potential disaster and by others as a slightly upwardly inclined plane that may have some dips along the way. Generally these scenarios focus on the teaching and learning program of higher education institutions and give very little attention to the…

Outlines methods that the Florida Center for Library Automation (FCLA) has developed to estimate transaction costs and overall demand for NOTIS services. Transaction resource usage analysis is discussed, record structures are explained, institution collection size is considered, and usage and response time by hour of day is described. (six…

Describes a study which investigated plans of Association of Research Libraries members in New England for total automated library systems, whether compatibility of microcomputers with existing or proposed equipment is a factor in microcomputer selection, plans for microcomputer use, and how appropriate microcomputer tasks are identified and…

This study of 23 academic libraries investigated variables which affect (and to what extent they affect) librarians' perceptions or evaluations of OCLC as an innovative system. Job security was identified as the single most important factor in technological change. Hypotheses of the study and the survey questionnaire are appended. (EJS)

Discusses networked information resources used by reference librarians in research libraries. Highlights include the NREN (National Research and Education Network); the Internet; network architecture; the national information infrastructure; the effect of electronic information on reference desk transactions; the changing nature of research; the…

Construct validity and reliability estimates indicate that study designed to measure utilization of automation in public and academic libraries was successful in tentatively identifying and measuring three subdimensions of level of automation: quality of hardware, method of software development, and number of automation specialists. Questionnaire…

Presents overview of two studies (1981, 1984) investigating the status of automation in U.S. community college learning resources centers (LRCs). Factors leading to automation, current level of automation, LRC organizational structure, attitudes toward and perceived constraints on automated services, consortium participation, hardware options, and…

To determine if backlogs of uncataloged monographs still exist and to discover methods of controlling and/or reducing arrearages, a questionnaire was sent to 117 Association of Research Libraries members. Questions were asked concerning arrearage size, storage, arrangement, physical and bibliographic access, and role of automation in reducing or…

Describes methodology for analyzing MARC (machine-readable cataloging) records of highly circulating titles to document common characteristics for collection development purposes. Application of the methodology in a university library is discussed, and data are presented on commonality of subject heading, author, language, and imprint date for…

This report examines and evaluates the application of prototyping methodology in the design of a microcomputer-based online library catalog. The methodology for carrying out the research involves a five-part examination of the problem on both the theoretical and applied levels, each of which is discussed in a separate section as follows: (1) a…

Reports results of survey of methods used by 77 North American academic and public libraries to finance implementation of new technologies, replace equipment and furniture, and renovate buildings. Financing methods used, frequency of use, choice, and range of methods are discussed. Eight references and list of survey participants are appended.…

Describes electronic information resources in religious and theological studies, considers the impact these tools may have on theological librarians, and discusses results of a survey of electronic tools in theological libraries that was conducted to measure the attitudes of theological librarians toward computer-aided biblical research. (35…

Discussion of library automation and changes in research methodology focuses on computer-assisted research curricula. Topics addressed include public access to government information; the information superhighway; commercialization of government documents that may restrict public access; computer literacy; and a proposed curriculum plan for a…

Discussion of text files and textual analysis in humanities research focuses on the results of two surveys of Research Libraries Group (RLG) academic libraries which was conducted to identify the systems used to support text files. Description of a system at the University of Michigan includes examples of screen formats, and seven sidebars…

Discusses the impact of computerization on humanists and libraries. Highlights include a lack of relevant databases; a reliance on original text; vocabulary and language issues; lack of time pressure; research style; attitudes of humanists toward technology; trends in electronic publishing; hypertext; collection development; electronic mail;…