An unprecedented amount of information encompassing almost every facet of human activities across the world is generated daily in the form of zeros and ones, and that is often the only form in which such information is recorded. A good fraction of this information needs to be preserved for periods of time ranging from a few years to centuries.…

Describes work in progress at the Smithsonian Institution in developing a system to understand and articulate the information needed to support collection related functions. The discussion covers the data modeling methodology used and the advantages of this methodology in structuring museum collections information. (one reference) (CLB)

Investigates methods of compressing headings identified by MARC subfield codes to reduce the size of browsable displays. An argument is made for sorting subdivisions by a conceptual, rather than an alphabetical, approach to present efficient browsable displays and relieve the user of the burden of data organization. (14 references) (Author/CLB)

Describes the development of production requirements and technical specifications for a microfilm-to-digital conversion project that digitized early English books printed between 1475-1700. Discusses the Internet interface used for access; MARC records; indexing; partnerships with libraries and universities; scanning; database design; and quality…

Describes the training and support offered to users upon the implementation of a corporate online text retrieval system, and offers insights from the experience. Areas discussed include training programs and objectives, user support services and support personnel, user documentation, database building, and performance evaluation and measurement.…

Explores the underlying concepts involved in the design of art scholarly databases and describes three systems definition projects currently in progress. The discussion covers the revisions of MARC formats and authority controls used in bibliographic information networks that might support an art scholarly database. (eight references) (CLB)

This introduction to the characteristics of software for CD-ROM describes programs used to format and create data stored on the disk, as well as retrieval programs. Criteria that need to be considered when evaluating CD-ROM software are discussed, including retrieval strategies (browsing vs. keyword searching), interfaces, index and file…

Describes the creation of a database of publishers' catalogs of teaching materials by a teaching resources librarian using Apple software. Topics discussed include decisions about material inclusion, the creation of searchable fields, the design and format of the database, updating, and the effectiveness of the database. A selected bibliography is…

Describes the development and outcome of a cooperative computerization effort involving nine public and university museums. The discussion covers the project goals, data development and analysis, and contributions resulting form the project. Appendices provide the system data fields used and a comparison between automation of library and museum…

This paper reviews the services provided by the ERIC system and suggests ways to broaden its scope through coordination with other existing education databases. The first of four major sections chronicles the evolution of ERIC and explains why it has not been able to exercise true bibliographic control over the literature of education. The second…

This interview with Bertrum MacDonald discusses the decisions that determined the character of a national bibliography on science and technology in Canadian history. Topics discussed include the scope of the project; classification and indexing decisions; the database management system used; unexpected problems; and predicted usage of the…

Examines the Museum Educational Site Licensing (MESL) Project--a cooperative project between seven cultural heritage repositories and seven universities--as well as other developments of cultural heritage image databases for academic use. Reviews recent literature on image indexing and retrieval, interface design, and tool development, urging a…

Describes the creation of an interactive retrieval system for electronic numeric files that was developed at Cornell University's (New York) Mann Library. Topics discussed include user characteristics; special data characteristics; quality control; software; hardware; data preparation; database design and construction; interface; subject indexing…

Examines how informetric characteristics of information retrieval (IR) system databases can be used to help system designers decide what type of file structures would provide the best performance. The development of appropriate models describing database contents is highlighted in this first part of a two-part study. (30 references) (LRW)

Five papers from the sessions of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions 1992 conference on classification, indexing, and cataloging are presented. Three papers deal with knowledge classification as it relates to database design, as it is practiced in India, and in a worldwide context. The remaining two papers focus…