Cautions that the new "Anglo-American Cataloging Rules" do little to enhance the effectiveness of bibliographic control and retrieval. The revision in rules remains too tied to the card catalog and does not capitlize on the potential of library automation systems. (RAA)

The development of automated systems in libraries is traced through three broad phases: developmental, operational, and integrative. Management reactions to these phases, as well as typical problems and failures, are characterized, and questions and challenges for management to address in the future are explored. (Author)

Describes how new automation technologies are providing more amenities to users, and energy and cost savings to facilities managers, in the areas of lighting, mechanical systems, and water. (EV)

Describes the current state of technology to manage school food-service operations, including, for example, the use of automation to identify and feed needy students and the use of the Internet. Describes challenges of implementing an automated system. (PKP)

This symposium on printed documentation covers (1) Tacoma Public Library's documentation (Lare Mischo); (2) characteristics of bad documentation (Linda Bills); (3) GEAC manuals (Joe Matthews); (4) Personal Bibliographic Software manuals (Victor Rosenberg); (5) DIALOG documentation (Barbara E. Anderson); (6) documentation problems and improvements…

Guidelines for writing documentation for automated library systems cover (1) gathering information; (2) planning the document (manual types, organization patterns, writing style, conventions and standards, and format); (3) writing techniques; (4) deciding what to include; and (5) editing and testing. (three references) (MES)

Provides a historical perspective on archival automation and an overview of the management, planning, staffing, and user considerations that arise as a consequence of automation. Future technological developments are summarized. (41 references) (MES)

Discusses ways a microcomputer system might enhance the mainframe library system at Vanderbilt University. Topics include: (1) types of microcomputers; (2) types of terminals; (3) characteristics of a dumb terminal; (4) characteristics of an intelligent terminal; (5) which terminals should be given additional features; and (6) designing an…

Describes a method for automatically selecting key frames that can be used to represent the total image sequence of visual documents. An abstracting algorithm developed at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is explained, and extensive examples of abstracted motion sequences are presented. (eight references) (LRW)

Relates the history of credit cards, their evolution to current forms, and innovations (debit cards, token cards, smart cards). Considers their sociocultural impact. Provides a design brief, including objectives, resources, evaluation criteria, outcomes, and a quiz. (SK)

Based on a survey of vendors of automated library systems, data for 1991 are presented on market share, software-only sales, public and academic library installations, sizes of system installations, system interfaces, hardware availability, and operating systems. Profiles of 29 vendors and a directory of sources are included. A sidebar discusses…

Following an introduction to authority control and MARC (machine readable cataloging), 10 steps are presented for making the transition from a manual to an automated authority file, keeping up with ongoing work, staying current in the discipline, and retrospective work. (23 references) (MES)

Describes several strategies for obtaining funding for library automation, including convincing management of the importance of automating; buying computer parts individually; upgrading gradually; subscribing to a CD-ROM service that includes equipment; identifying equipment by function (e.g., database search units); trading off less important…

Describes minimal-level, or provisional, authority records that are constructed from headings in bibliographic records as part of a computer validation process. Two types of references that can be generated automatically for authority records are explained: (1) those based on other data in the bibliographic record, and (2) those derived from the…

Considered are aspects of effective dental automation, including integrating "islands of computing"; definition of a dental record; common nomenclature; an enabling architecture; capturing data at its source; computer-assisted software engineering; and system security. (DB)