In this interview, Donald L. Bitzer, the inventor of the PLATO instructional software system, speculates on the ways in which the computer will affect human society in the near future, with special emphasis on the impact of computers on the labor force, on education, and on family life. (Author/JL)

Outlines the background of the library system at the Autonomous National University of Mexico (UNAM) and presents an account of the programs which have been developed in support of the library infrastructure and the Universal Availability of Publications (UAP) program, in particular the development of the LIBRUNAM automated retrieval system.…

Presents a brief summary of the functions of the Bibliographic Access & Control System (BACS) implemented at the Washington University School of Medicine Library, and outlines the design, development, and uses of the system. Bibliographic control of books and serials and user access to the system are also discussed. (Author/JL)

Provides generalizations and offers speculations about online library catalogs based on experiences of the Division of Library Automation, University of California, noting cataloging for access, rediscovering serial analytics, document delivery, electronic publishing, remote public access, circulation systems, and reference services. Four…

Surveys reactions of students and faculty to the online circulation system at University of Guelph Library, Ontario. Findings concerning status of users, frequency of use, effectiveness of instructions on screen, convenience of terminal locations, type of information required by user, and general comments are noted. Four references are provided.…

Discusses trends in computer technology and their use for library catalogs, noting the concept of bandwidth (describes quantity of information transmitted per given unit of time); computer hardware differences (micros, minis, maxis); distributed processing systems and databases; optical disk storage; networks; transmission media; and terminals.…

The mathematical model proposed describes a computerized bibliographic information system which includes a method--document learning--of improving the set of index terms assigned to a document representative. Inputs to the information system (index terms and query), relevance feedback, and assumptions concerning the model are discussed.…

Examines the capabilities, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility of the Stanford Public Information Retrieval System (SPIRES), an online information retrieval system producing a variety of printed products, and notes its use in the Title I Evaluation Clearinghouse, advantages of SPIRES, programing, and availability. Eleven references and a five-item…

Explores important quality of work life strategy--job redesign--and discusses job enlargement and job enrichment. A case study of academic library personnel demonstrates how introduction of automated systems at University of California, Berkeley led to restructuring and enrichment of jobs. References and list of selected resources are appended.…

The major benefit of library automation lies in the potential for sharing infrequently used titles among libraries through local, regional, national, and international networks. These offer administrators a powerful tool for maximizing their institutions' research resources and flexibility. (Author/MSE)

Discusses technological innovations affecting the economic and social basis of farm life, focusing on trends, farm equipment (plows, reaping tools, tractors, and harvesters), productivity, and influence of computers in all phases of agribusiness. (JN)

The nine subcategories and 20 specific projects within five research areas in library and information science which are summarized were identified by information specialists who evaluated and assigned priorities to nearly 100 proposed research projects prepared by Cuadra Associates, Inc. Participants in the four-day meeting are listed. (RBF)

Compares the effectiveness of five online systems in facilitating interlibrary services. The OCLC Interlibrary Loan (ILL) subsystem, the Research Libraries Group (RLG) Message System, the University of Toronto Library Automation System (UTLAS), and two others are evaluated with respect to the request verification, location, request transmission,…

Discusses concept of a national library service, and compares expenditures of the British Library with public libraries and polytechnic libraries. Issues related to the British Library's location, the services of its Lending Division, work supported by the Bibliographic Services Division, and images of the Reference Division are addressed. Listed…