Millions of books from public libraries and private collections have been scanned by various organizations in the last decade. The motivation is to preserve the written human heritage in electronic format for durable storage and efficient access. The information buried in these large book collections has always been of major interest for scholars…

In this article, the author contends that in 10 years, federated search--or search of any kind for that matter--won't exist. He elaborates that the "function" of search will exist--but not in a context with which anyone is familiar today. So if "search" doesn't exist in 2018, how will people find the information that they need across vast volumes…

Describes the use of askSam, a flexible text based management system, for handling personal collections of bibliographic references. Sample programs and searches are provided for both unstructured (minimum input and programming by the user) and structure applications. (CLB)

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)

Important characteristics of lexical databases and their applications in information retrieval and natural language processing are explained. An ongoing project using various machine-readable sources to build a lexical database is described, and detailed designs of individual entries with examples are included. (Contains 66 references.) (EAM)

Provides an overview of information retrieval from mainframe systems to Web search engines; discusses collaborative filtering, data extraction, data visualization, agent technology, pattern recognition, classification and clustering, and virtual communities. Argues that rather than huge data-storage centers and proprietary software, we need…

Bibliographers and librarians are aware of the new information technologies in information storage and retrieval. CD-ROMs and online database systems are two technologies used daily to assist users in accessing needed information. Although these resources are lacking in the fields of journalism and mass communication, possibilities for…

Discusses the need for user oriented optical storage systems to deal with information storage in offices, and describes the Megadoc system. The features described include hardware configurations, microcomputer applications, the ability to read microfilm or microfiche documents, equipment standards, and current systems software. (CLB)

An experiment investigated whether the format in which information is stored affects the outcomes of ready reference transactions in terms of efficiency and accuracy. Results indicate that bibliographic questions are more efficiently answered online, while factual questions are more efficiently answered with print sources. Results of the study are…

Optical disk technologies now offer a way to move large, complex, remote computer databases from the large urban areas to rural users. Recently, the Optical Information Systems (OIS) Conference provided an opportunity to discuss the use of this new technology for a variety of innovative applications; for example, "The State Education…

Authors, publishers, libraries, and individual consumers have different, sometimes conflicting, needs for scientific and technical information that are met in varying degrees by different publishing media. A number of print and nonprint formats (full-text journals, synopsis journals, microform, CD-ROM, online, etc.) are compared, and combinations…

Knowledge of electronic media includes recognizing different needs for information, understanding and using different measures of value, and understanding ethical issues. Skills relate to retrieving, managing, organizing, using, preserving, and communicating information. These complex abilities are explored, earlier work is described, and…

Discussion of distance learning and new information and communication technologies focuses on the role of the library. Highlights include the need for lifelong learning; online courses; adult training needs; new technologies in education and training contexts; digital libraries; acquiring, storing, finding, and filtering information; and user…

This guide to materials on optical disks is designed to aid an individual in pursuing the study of optical disk technology through a review of the literature in the collections of the Library of Congress. A brief explanation of the scope of the topic introduces the references, which are listed in the following categories: (1) introductions to…

Describes a British oil company's implementation of a document image processing system emphasizing the business and organizational issues. The project's objectives, perceived benefits, and issues of system ownership, planning, and implementation are described. An appendix includes documentation tables. (EAM)