This book is intended to help librarians and others to produce databases of better value and quality, especially if they have had little previous experience in database construction. Drawing upon almost 40 years of experience in the field of information retrieval, this book emphasizes basic principles and approaches rather than in-depth and…

An international study team was appointed by UNESCO to assess the impact of the International Information System for the Agricultural Sciences and Technology (AGRIS) on the worldwide dissemination and availability of agricultural information. Methods used, findings, and recommendations of the study team are presented. (Author/MBR)

Discusses the developments that have positively or adversely affected abstracting and indexing services over the past several decades, addressing such topics as the impact of computers and the migration from print-on-paper to online information provision. Forecasts for the near and long-term future are made and a reference list is included. (JL)

Creates a scenario for potential future publication of journals in electronic online form, from report writing and text editing at individual terminals to acceptance via electronic mail by publishers to receipt of journal information at subscribers' terminals. (SW)

This essay reassesses various predictions made 10 years ago concerning the replacement of print on paper by electronic publication in light of what has actually taken place in the ensuing decade. A summary of earlier observations, stages of change, electronic publishing and publications, and changes in libraries are highlighted. (EJS)

A survey of 164 academic and special libraries reveals that accessibility of equivalent databases online has had a relatively small effect thus far on decisions to discontinue subscriptions to printed abstracting and indexing services. Tables display printed form and online databases used by the libraries, and seven references are listed. (RBF)

Describes various stages involved in the applications of electronic media to the publishing industry. Highlights include computer typesetting, or photocomposition; machine-readable databases; the distribution of publications in electronic form; computer conferencing and electronic mail; collaborative authorship; hypertext; hypermedia publications;…

Case study on acid rain illustrates procedures for systematized tracking of issues: using bibliometric methods to list journals to be scanned; using current awareness searches of online databases to supplement journal scanning; using literature monitoring to create significant terms file; and tracking terms through online database index. (10…

Discussion of corporate library services and the role of the librarian focuses on the recognition and tracking of issues of potential significance to the corporation, or issues management. Topics addressed include environmental scanning of relevant literature, and the use of databases to track issues. (16 references) (LRW)