Reports results of a 1987 survey of the British membership of Aslib on the use of information technology in libraries and information centers. Responses are analyzed in four areas: (1) hardware; (2) software applications and packages; (3) online searching; and (4) new technologies for communications, document delivery, and information storage. (2…

Provides a brief introduction to computer applications in information organizations in China. Highlights include information retrieval (personnel, equipment, bibliographic databases, information retrieval programs and systems, service status); library management; and Chinese character processing (code method, character root method). History,…

Identifies problems experienced when libraries introduce computerized systems in countries remote from major centers of development, i.e., level of expertise, limited market, financial aspects, type of hardware and software available. Solutions to problems through cooperation and coordination of library computerization and Republic of South Africa…

Examines automated self-service checkout and return systems in libraries in the United Kingdom based on the literature and on research conducted by Loughborough University. Describes the main systems available and discusses objectives, costs, security, location of equipment, functionality and system design, and effects on users and staff.…

Describes the collection of the Local History Department of the Central Library in Aberdeen (which includes 2,300 volumes of locally produced newspapers and 101,000 sheets of press cuttings) and the use of an optical disk system to help solve the problems of storage and access to these materials. (CLB)

Describes the use of dBase II at the Centre of Studies in Resources Engineering of India to develop a microcomputer based database. The effectiveness of the system in bibliographic data storage and management, data selection and retrieval, and report preparation is discussed. (7 references) (CLB)

Describes cooperative project between the national libraries of the United Kingdom, France, West Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, and Italy that is working toward shared bibliographic data on CD-ROM. MARC conversion is discussed, problems with multilingual interfaces and linking CD-ROM to local library systems are addressed, and…

Outlines the present status of library automation and networking in Australia and explores the issues arising when regional network operations consider their relationship to the national Australian Bibliographic Network: provision of services, standards, network technology, contractual arrangements, economics, and policy. Thirty-eight references…

Describes a project that examined the provision of library services starting with basic automation requirements. The discussion covers the possibilities of designing integrated systems using current technologies and software, and compares the situation in Nordic countries with the international situation. Recommendations are offered for planning…

Describes an approach to electronic document delivery which has evolved at Tilburg University (Netherlands), leading to the development of a system called Ariadne. Highlights include various generations of electronic document delivery systems; standards, including the work of the Group on Electronic Document Interchange; and a description of the…

This last article in a series which reported results of a software evaluation project done by the Netherlands Association of Users of Online Information Systems (VOGIN) focuses on how to select appropriate software. Topics discussed include price considerations; user needs; and types and quality of information. (Contains 11 references.) (LRW)

Relates problems prompted by implementation of online circulation and cataloging systems in Polytechnic of North London's Library Service. Conversion of records from former card catalog to computer file and organizational problems (position of central technical services unit, position of Library Service in total information handling structure of…

Discusses ways in which libraries are using the World Wide Web to provide information via a home page, based on information from a survey in Iceland as well as a larger study that conducted content analyses of home pages of public and school libraries in 13 countries. (Author/LRW)

Describes internal databases available at the Bulgarian Central Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (CINTI) and discusses trends and possibilities for their use in other library and information centers in Bulgaria. The online catalog at CINTI's Central Scientific and Technical Library (CSTL) is described, and potential uses of…

Reports on a 1987 survey of automation in Australian academic and state libraries. The current situation is described in several areas: (1) turnkey integrated "proprietary" library system suppliers; (2) networks; (3) modules; (4) database issues; and (5) staffing trends. The questionnaire and data on proprietary systems and modules used…