Outlines history of the development of the Unesco Common Communication Format, which is designed to enable exchange of records (monographs, serials, journal articles, contributions in proceedings) between different agencies throughout the world. Highlights include definition of "exchange format," major technical features, and examples of…

Reviews status of United Kingdom's non-school of librarianship and information (SLIS) information-based education programs and outlines four non-SLIS types of programs: information technology (IT), computer studies, information programs based on and related to IT, subject programs with information components. Need for emphasis on information…

Enumerates characteristics required of the library consultant--motivation; character traits; education and experience; other qualifications (specialized knowledge, financial resources, adequate time, good health, communication skills, objectivity, perspective); special skills. The library-consultant marketplace (e.g., automation, public relations,…

Discusses the concept of mental (or cognitive) maps--the images we construct in our minds to help us understand something--and argues that geographers' literature on mental maps can provide greater understanding of scientific literature's formats, conventions, processes, and formulations. Three classes of perception studies for mental maps are…

Reviews nature of criminal activity in libraries in context of two criminological theoretical groupings: psychological theories (encompasses criminological attention to individual psychological traits), and sociological theories (examines ways in which societies are structured and how structures might generate crime). Some strategies of prevention…

Examines the possibility of constructing an online international union catalog from machine readable entries originating in different countries and discusses use of MARC-compatible records as records that can be converted to MARC algorithmically. Sources of cataloging records, problems generated by merging, and resolution of problems are…

Presents suggestions to librarians for helping patrons who want to perform their own online searches. Background information, end user training, equipment (hardware and software), continuing help, and document delivery are discussed. Ten references are included. (EJS)

Examples of catalog entries for microcomputer software data files are given in three sections: educational software (elementary and secondary level, college level); educational game software; business-related software. Catalog record elements, simplification methods for cataloging of machine-readable data files, and future considerations are…

Texas A & M University at Galveston is the only marine and maritime-oriented University in the Southwest. Its computing policy/direction, academic computing, administrative computing, and library automation are described, and hurricance emergency plans are also discussed. (MLW)

This paper outlines the history and purpose of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which insures the right to access the voluminous files of U.S. government agencies, and explains FOIA implementation procedures for reference librarians assisting patrons. Recent attempts to amend the FOIA are discussed. Thirty-four references are cited. (EJS)

Reviews nine major publications on the development of Universal Availability of Publications (UAP). Highlights include difficulties of UAP, which are also those of post-1971 programs of UNESCO and International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA); five main UAP elements (publication, supply, acquisition, interlending, retention); and…

It's small and inexpensive but complete. A prime-time attraction for your TV-oriented students. (Editor)

Calculations of storage requirements for retrieval systems using inverted files. Problem of minimal storage requirements for inverted file is solved for different index term distributions. (Author/KP)

Professional education is increasingly facing accessibility challenges with the emergence of webbased learning. This paper summarizes related U.S. legislation, standards, guidelines, and validation tools to make web-based learning accessible for all potential learners. We also present lessons learned during the implementation of web accessibility…

The image of the librarian has changed much since the first librarian's positions at Ivy League schools in the mid- to late-17th Century. The purpose of this paper is to explore the history and origins of male and female stereotypes of librarians as well as generational stereotypes. Stereotypes in the literature of the field were explored and…