Argues for sound practices of information management that provide educators with the information they need to make good decisions about services for students and protect the privacy of students and their families. Defines informational characteristics (accuracy, completeness, pertinence, timeliness) and systemic functions (collecting, storing,…

Using OCLC-MARC tape records, master records were created for collection management reports at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to help evaluate collection growth by type of material, location, and subject, based upon LC call number. The Statistical Analysis System (SAS) was run against records to generate information for special purposes. (9…

Addresses issues involved in implementing Out-Dial program at Pennsylvania State University Libraries, where the feasibility of using online catalog terminals to access external databases is undergoing evaluation. Placement of terminals and microcomputers, "ready reference" searching, vendors, training, cost-effective searching,…

Instructional information systems (IIS) are built on current practices in testing and program evaluation, but go beyond them. IIS are computerized data banks that allow users to ask a variety of evaluative questions. Factors which facilitate IIS, characteristics of future systems, and lessons from management information systems are discussed. (GDC)

This article describes use of the InfoTrac system, a self-contained periodical reference system designed for in-library use that provides coverage of 900 general interest, business, management, and economic periodicals, at Indiana University (Bloomington). Discussion covers InfoTrac installation, InfoTrac and student interaction, system…

This article describes two separate workshops offered to college faculty during the spring 1984 semester: one in online bibliographic searching, one in using computers to manage personal files of bibliographic references (examination of existing systems, types of software available). A telephone survey evaluation conducted 3 months after sessions…

The role and functions of the Netherlands' interuniversity agency are discusssed. It makes recommendations to Dutch organizations concerning the equivalency of education received abroad, stimulates international academic mobility, and provides information to Dutch nationals going abroad or potential foreign students in the Netherlands about Dutch…

Pennsylvania's sophisticated system for student loan fraud and abuse detection is described, including the factors felt to contribute to its success and suggestions for improving other state agency fraud units. (MSE)

High-powered satellites, along with other existing technologies, make possible a world information utility that could distribute virtually limitless information to every point on earth. The utility could distribute information for business, government, education, and entertainment. How the utility would work is discussed. (RM)

Reviews the research and commentary on individuals' questions and specific reference queries that characterize two general approaches in librarianship and other disciplines: question itself as phenomenon of questioner's behavior, linguistic performance, or cognitive state; interaction between question and answer focusing on appropriateness of…

Discusses features of ideal basic attendance package and factors to consider in choosing a suitable package, including memory, programming language and operating system, disk capacity, time saving features, and networking, interface, coding, and block attendance update capabilities. A chart comparing 16 period-by-period attendance packages is…

The National Library of Medicine's Current Information Transfer in English public access online catalog offers unique subject search capabilities--natural-language query input, automatic medical subject headings display, closest match search strategy, ranked document output, dynamic end user feedback for search refinement. References, description…

Study describes actual and ideal linkage roles of four educators trained to link clients with online bibliographic retrieval service, effect of roles on clients' satisfaction with service, conceptualization of role in literature as compared with implementation in field, and implications of findings for educational knowledge dissemination. Twelve…

Describes student involvement in conducting literature searches using the online literature retrieval methods of the Lockheed DIALOG system as a part of a junior-level Introduction to Independent Study Course. Outlines the teaching methods, presenting a set of practice questions with answers and discussing the progressive building of good study…

Educational applications include computer programs to individualize instruction and create clinical simulations; computer use to extend classrooms to rural areas, provide continuing education, and individualized testing; and courses in computer applications in health care. Applications in practice and administration include directing and recording…