Successfully providing access to special collections of digital geospatial data in academic libraries relies upon complete and accurate metadata. Creating and maintaining metadata using specialized standards is a formidable challenge for libraries. The Ontario Council of University Libraries' Scholars GeoPortal project, which created a shared…

Libraries, as authoritative custodians and providers of information, are facing a number of challenges as they are trying to adjust to the new information environment. Some challenges arise from major paradigm shifts in recent decades relating to the understanding of the nature of information processes and conceptions of authority. Engagement…

The silo is a well-worn metaphor in information systems used to illustrate separateness, isolation, and lack of connectivity. Through the many iterations of system development, libraries, archives, and museums (LAMs) have sought to avoid silos and find the sweet spot between interface design and metadata interoperability. This effort is being…

This article attempts to offer an overview of the current changes that are being experienced in the management of audio-visual documentation and those that can be forecast in the future as a result of the migration from analogue to digital information. For this purpose the documentary chain will be used as a basis to analyse individually the tasks…

Over the past several decades, millions of digital objects of significant scientific, economic, cultural, and historic value have been published and distributed to libraries and archives on removable media. Providing long-term access to these documents, media files, and software executables is an increasingly complex task because of dependencies…

Library text production and information retrieval applications require a programing language with string processing facilities. The most useful languages are SNOBOL, COMIT APL and PL/1. (Author/LS)

A framework for cooperation between Library of Congress and the RTSD/ISAD/RASD Committee on Representation in Machine-Readable Form of Bibliographic Information in regard to changes in the MARC System. (LS)

The direct-chaining technique of hash coding is generalized in a manner that is useful for storing records on the basis of non-unique search keys. Two hash functions are used, a process implying a tree structure. Two models, one involving unique and the other non-unique keys, are presented. (7 references) (Author/KE)

The member libraries of the Ohio College Library Center (OCLC) adopted standards for input cataloging in order to improve the technical processes while still keeping costs at a minimum. Increased compatibility of records input by different libraries so that records input by one could be more readily used by others was the final goal. It was…

Transferring records to tape in libraries may be infringing on Canada's copyright laws. (PG)

Three separate articles present advantages and disadvantages of microcomputer use in libraries and some guidelines for determining whether their use is appropriate. Highlights include potential of microcomputers for improving existing situations; merits of automation; health hazards posed by microcomputers; man-machine interface difficulties;…

The on-line acquisition program (LOLITA) in use at the Oregon State University Library is described in terms of development costs, equipment requirements, and overall design philosophy. (Author)

Discusses the information explosion as it relates to the emergence of the information handling capability explosion, or the use of computer technology, citing library network online databases as evidences of information control. (EJS)

Low cost and high capacity microcomputers now have the potential for improvement of library services at various levels. They seem well adapted for text-processing, preparation of local bibliographies and resource guides, and improvement of online database searching. (Author/RAA)

The trend toward use of online bibliographic systems in libraries sets the stage for the discussion of standardized entry format and authority control in information input if maximum usefulness now and in the future is to be achieved. (MBR)