This article presents a reading of the user interface in one public library system. Its aim is to find out the frames and competences required and used in the communication between the computer and the patron. The authors see the computer as a text that is to be read by the user who wants to search for information from the library. The transition…

Describes the development of telephone communications links between automated circulation systems in six public library systems in the state of Maryland, and discusses the implications of such links for interlibrary loan programs. (JL)

Discussion of the importance of adhering to standards in the library community focuses on standards related to linking systems, such as bibliographic utilities and circulation systems, and online catalogs. Three areas in particular are highlighted: (1) communications standards; (2) data format standards; and (3) user interface and indexing…

The main objectives of Project BALLOTS (Bibliographic Automation of Large Library Operations Using a Time-Sharing System) are to control rising technical processing costs and, at the same time, to provide improved levels of service. This report on BALLOTS Phase II is concerned with the development and implementation of the production library…

Three separate articles describe the online union catalog developed and implemented at the University of California to enhance public access. Planning for library automation, development and production of the database, access points to the catalog, the patron interface, standardizing input data, and merging records are discussed. References are…

The first phase of an ongoing library automation project at Stanford University is described. Project BALLOTS (Bibliographic Automation of Large Library Operations Using a Time-Sharing System) seeks to automate the acquisition and cataloging functions of a large library using an on-line time-sharing computer. The main objectives are to control…

The Library of Congress presents the history of its Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) system. Descriptions of MARC pilot projects and distribution services are followed by a discussion of several conversion projects undertaken by libraries in order to implement MARC. Then MARC's influence on standardization of formats for information interchange,…

Usually the impact of technology is felt first in terms of the devices we use; then in terms of people and man-machine relationships. The next impact tends to be on the support systems and procedures associated with the man-machine relationships; and lastly the related goals and values of the total effort tend to change. The impact of technology…

This volume of Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science is limited to the text of papers accepted and scheduled for presentation at the 1975 meeting. The papers reflect the need to address and define issues in national information policy, and they examine the current state of federal-level planning and funding of information…