Tutorials and digital learning objects provide librarians a quick, concise mechanism for delivering information and training on a wide range of library topics. The semiotic theory promoted by Charles Sanders Peirce (Wiener, 1958) and Howard Smith (2005) contains implications for enhancing the effectiveness of library tutorials through the…

Considers the value of information contained within a library's online public access catalog. Assesses the value of MARC records; authority records; indexes; location and status information; and value for an individual. (LRW)

Ever since North Carolina State University Libraries launched their Endeca-based OPAC replacement in the beginning of 2006, the library world has been completely obsessed with ditching their old, tired catalog interfaces (and with good reason) for the greener pastures of more sophisticated indexing, more accurate relevance ranking, dust jackets,…

Describes the use of HyperCard software as an economical alternative to an online catalog to provide access to works of literary criticism at New Canaan High School (Connecticut). Topics discussed include the search screen display; the use of a scanner to input actual book indexes; and a dictionary of authors. (LRW)

Describes the special collection on deaf people and deafness in the Gallaudet University Library (Washington, DC). Topics include periodicals; cataloging; the classification system and subject headings developed for the collection; online catalogs; online periodical indexes; deaf reference; archives; and the World Wide Web home page. (Author/LRW)

This report presents the following five instructional objectives tailored to meet the goal of preparing Adelphi University (New York) freshman to become independent learners and information literate: (1) students will be introduced to the services and resources of the university libraries; (2) students will understand the role of the librarian as…

This timely book provides a foundation in library and electronic research in the fields of nursing and allied health. It explains essential sources and techniques that can be used by nursing students, healthcare researchers, and nurse practitioners who need to gather information independently. Pathways to Nursing covers both physical libraries and…

Examines librarian's initiatives to incorporate access to external databases into local online catalogs; describes OCLC's new online reference system, EPIC, that provides subject access to databases; and discusses OCLC's plans to expand access to monographs by including tables of contents or book indexes in monograph records. (LRW)

Describes the computer-based online system, UNBIS, developed for expanded reference and information services and to provide bibliographic control of United Nations document holdings. The report includes descriptions of current and future UNBIS information products. (RAA)

Defines metadata, noting that standard bibliographic information, summaries, indexing terms, and abstracts are all surrogates for original material, hence metadata. Discusses the need for metadata; creating metadata; search engines and how metadata affects searching; abstracts; and future possibilities. (AEF)

Intended to provide guidelines for similar future undertakings, this report provides a comprehensive record of a serials cataloging project undertaken by the General Reference and Periodicals Department of the University of Miami's Otto G. Richter Library between January 1985 and August 1986. The project was designed to catalog the department's…

This catalog is composed of brief descriptions of, and extensive indexes to, federal programs that provide educational benefits to the American public. It includes programs administered by the U.S. Office of Education as well as those administered by other federal agencies. The federal education assistance programs are aimed at all educational…

Discusses design features of the Online Catalog of LS/2000, OCLC's enhanced version of Integrated Library System. This minicomputer-based system provides bibliographic file maintenance, circulation control, and online catalog searching. Examples of available displays--holdings, full MARC, work forms, keyword entry, index selection, brief citation,…

Describes the establishment of the documentation center and the projects it has undertaken: union catalog of social science periodicals and serials; bibliographies (Indian economic, Mahatma Gandhi, area studies, language); retrospective index of periodicals; compilation of indexes and bibliographies assisted by council in its grants-in-aid scheme;…

We live in an increasingly information-based society. A concomitant result of entry into this new era has been the accumulation, at an unprecedented rate, of the volume of information. This paper describes how the flood of information has impacted upon the academic library and how the library has responded to the continuing challenges of access.…