Describes Pharos, a prototype that automatically classifies and summarizes Internet newsgroups using the Library of Congress Classification (LCC) scheme. Topics addressed include the methodology of collection summarization and selection, constructing an online LCC outline, evaluation, limitations of the system, and classification of nontextual…

Reports an approach to interactive information seeking that is grounded in the idea of summarizing query results through automated document clustering. The authors' prototype acted as an intermediate layer between the user and a commercial Internet search engine. Data was processed from 36 users and it was concluded that the prototype improved…

New alternative models for selecting automated systems emphasize uniqueness of each institution, involve more staff, and do not rely on requests for proposals (RFPs). Vendor demonstrations are extremely important in the evaluation of system capabilities when RFPs are not used, and scripts prepared by institutions ensure that vendors focus on…

Explores the theme of self-censorship in libraries in relation to new technologies. Highlights include the results of investing in high-cost electronic resources at the expense of traditional, lower-status formats; the effect of information technologies on literacy and historical records; and market censorship, including centralization and…

Outlines a planned panel discussion on electronic books and DRM (Digital Rights Management). Highlights include publisher's choice of format to protect content; institutional needs; circulating library materials to authorized users; integrating the electronic collection with the rest of the collection; integrating DRM with current library…

Many a great idea has first taken shape as a simple drawing sketched by hand on a piece of paper, but in an increasingly high-tech world, such drawings are more often being created--or at the very least perfected--with the aid of a computer. And in today's highly automated workplace, manufacturing a finished product from that great idea will…

Thirty years ago most resource sharing took place between libraries, with a few formal organizations (library consortia) providing logistical support. Today there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of organizations around the world facilitating resource sharing. Automation has greatly accelerated the growth of resource sharing. As access to…

The author of this article, a card-carrying member of the American Library Association (ALA), discusses her views on how difficult it is for some leaders to accept that this is the 21st century. She feels that people do not need to choose between blogs and printed text, because people can read both. She also feels that library shelves have room…

This article argues that developing technologies have resulted in rapid and fundamental changes in the way libraries conduct business. It is argued that, in light of these changes, academic librarians need to reconfigure the way their time and resources are allocated in order to assist users in making the most effective use of networked…

Corporations employ data mining to analyze operations, find trends in recorded information, and look for new opportunities. Libraries are no different. Librarians manage large stores of data--about collections and usage, for example--and they also want to analyze this data to serve their users better. Analysts use data mining to query a data…

Google's extraordinary success is usually attributed to innovative technology and new business models. By contrast, this paper argues that Google's success is mostly due to its adoption of certain library values. First, Google has refused to adopt the standard practices of the search engine business, practices that compromised service to the user…

The past several decades have seen numerous approaches toward automated diagnosis and instructional support of students engaged in mathematics problem-solving. These approaches typically involve detailed analysis of potential solution paths for problems, formal representations of correct and incorrect answers, and support in the form of feedback…

This case study describes the process of proposing and implementing a wiki for use in an academic library setting, based on the process used by Iowa State University Library. Using the Iowa State University Library Wiki as a model, this article lays out the decisions necessary at each step of the process of establishing a new wiki. Control of…

This article outlines a pilot project to offer a personalized online library service to Open University MBA alumni. A review of the literature and results of a desktop analysis of other UK Higher Education alumni library services are included. Content procurement and systems issues are considered along with the underlying organizational, resource…

Over the past decade the software products available for solid modeling, dynamic, stress, thermal, and flow analysis, and computer-aiding manufacturing (CAM) have become more powerful, affordable, and easier to use. At the same time it has become increasingly important for students to gain concurrent engineering design and systems integration…