A summary of one library's experiences in one year of searching a variety of bibliographic data bases. (PF)

The development and testing of the Browsing On-line With Selective Retrieval (BROWSER) text retrieval system allowing a natural language query statement and providing on-line browsing capabilities through an IBM 2260 display terminal is described. The prototype system contains data bases of 25,000 German language patent abstracts, 9,000 English…

The application of computers to retrieval of primary documents is illustrated by descriptions of the Baltimore Region Institutional Studies Center (BRISC), which operates an automated system for retrieving records by subject, geographic location, and date; and ARCHON (ARCHives ONline), the online program developed to meet BRISC retrieval…

Describes the selection policies, subject access, search aids, indexing, coverage, and currency of three online databases in the fields of electronics and computer science: COMPENDEX, ELCOM, and INSPEC. Sample searches are displayed for each database. A bibliography cites five references. (FM)

Examines design functions of present file organizations in the context of available data storage devices and identifies current developmental trends. (Author/RAA)

A description is provided for WISE-ONE, an information retrieval program designed to provide fast, efficient access to computer-based information files. The author focuses upon WISE-ONE's application to the Educational Resources Information Center's (ERIC) data base; WISE-ONE was designed specifically to meet the needs of researchers using ERIC,…

Research in networking of heterogeneous interactive bibliographic retrieval systems is being conducted which centers on the concept of a virtual retrieval system. Such a virtual system would be created through a translating computer interface that would provide access to the different retrieval systems and data bases in a uniform and convenient…

By drawing an analogy to computer programming, it is apparent that end user training for online bibliographic search systems will increase, lead to vastly increased use of online search systems, increase the understanding of end users, and reduce the amount of time professionals spend on routine tasks. (CWM)

Lists organizations in the United States which sell or lease software or provide subscription service for on-line information retrieval from the full text of documents in user-provided data bases. (Author/CWM)

User perception of data importance and the economic feasibility of hardware and storage devices will determine the future direction of online systems. A retrieval system's functions are ultimately dictated by database design. Early online sytems were designed for bibliographic information limited to citations only using sequential files. When…

Examines two primary roles played by natural language processing in storage and retrieval of information and outlines organization of natural language interface for data retrieval (question-answering system) and approaches being taken to text analysis. Research issues in computational linguistics and interactive knowledge acquisition are…

Reviews a study which examined computerized bibliographic centers in Canada identifying three types: (1) library processing facility; (2) library network user group; and (3) information retrieval facility. The study also reported on ways to promote a computerized library network with emphasis on national location service. (CWM)

Discusses the Vocabulary Switching System (VSS), an experimental, automated switching system, which specifically addresses the problems of heterogeneous database vocabularies and indexes and the difficulty these pose for users who wish to combine more than one database in a single online search. (CWM)

The workshop had its genesis in the belief that interactive bibliographic data base searching will become an essential function of reference service and that there is a need for indepth training and more communication with suppliers--the on-line system supplier and the data base supplier. The workshop included presentations by data base suppliers,…

Discusses the applications of online systems and other computerized systems in public library information and referral (I&R) services. A number of specific examples are presented and computer equipment and software relevant to I&R services are listed in two tables. A 10-item reference list and an appendix of I&R projects are attached. (JL)