Outlines design requirements for situation description, policy specifications, and decision consequences feedback systems of type that could be used to help manage Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) portfolios for large organizations. Several systems are described, and three additional systems design characteristics are…

Describes creation of National Clearinghouse on Aging within federal government, noting clearinghouse involvement in planning and implementation of proposed Service Center for Aging Information (SCAN), an automated bibliographic information system. SCAN products and services, user groups and information needs involved with gerontological research,…

Describes a pilot program that tested the feasibility of using a computer-based communication system for offering an interdisciplinary, inservice biology and chemistry course to regional high school teachers. Course structure (including computer management and electronic mail system), on-line examinations, and unanticipated problems are among the…

Briefly reviews history of library automation before discussing factors that libraries should consider before choosing to go online (collection size, machine-readable database, computer equipment, costs), and features of online catalogs (database organization, search features, authority files, display options). Information about selected online…

Results of comparison of online and manual searching of same subject favor online searching, which found 87 percent of relevant titles versus 33 percent for manual search. A simple search strategy produced nearly as many citations as complex search, and over two-thirds of records came from two of 13 files searched. (EJS)

Describes West Virginia Statewide Automation and Networking Plan, a single fully integrated and interfaced system, which links resources of public, college, and special libraries to users either in libraries or otherwise throughout state. Virginia Tech Library System software and off-the-shelf hardware and the network, telecommunications, costs,…

Examines usefulness of DIALOG as legal research tool through use of DIALOG's DIALINDEX database to identify those databases among almost 200 available that contain large numbers of records related to federal securities regulation. Eight databases selected for further study are detailed. Twenty-six footnotes, database statistics, and samples are…

Describes use of PFS: File, a database management program for microcomputers that can be effectively utilized in periodical management, at the Apple Computer Library. The menu, format of the forms, checking in periodicals and listing missing issues, updating, reports, the periodical catalog, and helpful information are highlighted. Examples are…

Explores potential of mathematical theory of communication for information science and examines question of how to encode a message at time it is encountered for subsequent recall. Examples of problem, a prototype computer program and experiment, coding as embedding in associational nets, and nature of information are discussed. (Nine references.)…

Report on developments in the retrospective conversion of manual library files to machine-readable form discusses planning and decision making; accommodating full records; conforming to standards; creating bibliographic records; sources of retrospective conversion support (bibliographic utilities, stand-alone systems); use of microcomputers;…

Profiles the Cooper Union Library, a private academic library specializing in architecture, art, and engineering that celebrated its 125th anniversary in fall 1984. Highlights include a biographical sketch of the college's founder, Peter Cooper; construction of the building; curriculum changes; library services and materials; and cooperative and…

Description of considerations special libraries must address before building databases is based on practical experiences of Comstow Information Services. Developing standards for all types of materials (journal articles, internal reports, competitors' literature, government documents, conference proceedings, analytics, books), retrospective…

Describes two methods for the computerization of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean (CJK) input and output--Research Libraries Group's Sinoterm and OCLC's Asiagraphics. East Asian vernacular computerization efforts, system development, character sets, terminal design and keyboards, and member library use of CJK records are highlighted. Six references…

This nationwide survey of online searchers indicated that 77 percent preferred to have patron present; two factors accounted for 72 percent of variance of patron presence (searcher's ability to refine search, searcher's time schedule); 16 percent admitted to nervousness with patron present; concern about spelling errors accounted for 44 percent of…

Describes use of selective dissemination of information (SDI) feature on DIALOG at Sandia Technical Library to produce bulletin announcing library acquisitions of technical reports in microfiche. Microfiche acquisition, developing profile, assembling profile output, costs, and suggestions for improvement are highlighted. Examples of SDI profiles…