The six new robotics and automated systems specialty courses developed by the Robotics/Automated Systems Technician (RAST) project are described in this publication. Course titles are Fundamentals of Robotics and Automated Systems, Automated Systems and Support Components, Controllers for Robots and Automated Systems, Robotics and Automated…

Results from a 1978 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) survey on planning for, and conversion to automated acquisitions systems, and the effects of such systems on library operations and use, organization and staffing, and management information, indicate that 38 of 77 responding libraries had instituted some kind of automated acquisitions.…

This study evaluates the process and procedures of the New York City Board of Education in the definition, identification, tracking, and monitoring of student dropouts in selected New York City high schools. The full report is organized in three parts. Part One provides a summary of data obtained (through observations and interviews) from visits…

Several factors must be considered when implementing office automation. Included among these are whether or not to automate at all, the effects of automation on employees, requirements imposed by automation on the physical environment, effects of automation on the total organization, and effects on clientele. The reasons behind the success or…

Computer/automated catalogs have been in use in secondary schools for some time and have numerous advantages. A public access catalog (PAC) allows networking with other libraries, use of the Boolean search function, and the retrieval of bibliographic citations from a variety of access points. Moreover, PAC's have recently become more user…

Noting difficulties experienced by small to medium sized colleges in acquiring integrated library computer systems, this position paper outlines issues related to the subject with the intention of increasing familiarity and interest in integrated library systems. The report includes: a brief review of technological advances as they relate to…

A study examined the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for information systems workers. The listing of competencies was developed after an extensive literature review, interviews with educational professionals and persons employed in information occupations, and input from a Developing a Curriculum (DACUM) committee of 16 information…

This report provides statistical information on computer use in the United States in 1984, including home, work, and school use, and use according to socioeconomic status, race, and sex. The data show that over 15 million American adults owned home computers, but only 53% actually use them. About 8% of U.S. households, or 6.98 million, had a…

The result of a two-week consultant mission to the South East Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) at Bogor, Indonesia, this study explored the feasibility of applying microcomputers to library and information work in the Clearing House for Information Division of BIOTROP, which has a regional responsibility for the collection,…

This survey of 57 members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) examines technical and management issues in providing remote access to their online catalogs, as well as with instructions and services for remote users. It is noted that most ARL libraries have not yet conducted studies to project the extent of use of remote access, although…

This report describes a program to expand the Books by Mail program at the Monterey (California) County Library. An introductory section provides background information on the development of the program, and the second section discusses the process of identifying target populations, which include those in geographically remote areas and the…

The five papers compiled here cover topics related to electronic publishing, library collections and services, interlibrary loan, and serials. In "The Impact of Electronic Publishing on Library Collection and Services: An American View," Joseph W. Price considers possible consequences on library collections and services in the United…

Of the 11 papers in this collection, three are in German and in English translation; one is in French with an English translation and two are in French only; one is in Spanish with an English translation; and four are in English. The papers include: (1) "Europaische Bibliotheksinitiativen = European Library Initiatives" (Gunther Pflug); (2) "Die…

Three general features of scholarly journals--internal processing, format, and form--are examined with regard to journals published by the American Institute of Physics (AIP). Reasons for the minor impact of electronic processing on output forms and display formats in physics journals are discussed, including the dependence of such journals on the…

This study reviews changes brought about by advances in computer and telecommunications technology and describes online searching of sociological databases. Social changes affected by electronic technology are discussed, and speculations are made concerning the future effects of this technology. Also discussed are changes induced by recent…