This discussion of bibliographies in scholarly journals focuses on the need for improvement in citing relevant prior work, and highlights the design of expert systems to improve document retrieval when checking citations. A survey of university faculty is described which confirms this need. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the inclusion of expert systems in library and information science (LIS) education in such areas as library management, classification and indexing, and information retrieval. Emphasis is placed on involvement in developing areas such as programing and knowledge acquisition to create information professionals able to use the new…

Describes government information available in machine-readable data files--primarily on computer tapes--in relation to other formats and examines requirements for their acquisition, preservation, and utilization in retrieval and reference services. Skill and knowledge adjustments on the part of librarians are also discussed, and a system in use at…

Discusses advantages of tying together library book and journal collections in one online database. The division between the access tools of public and technical services is described and discussed in terms of the use of bibliographic utilities and search services, and some future consequences of full-collection access tools are described. (EM)

Humanistic scholars need simple access to jargon-free information on databases in an academic library setting. Many private databases in the humanities are being developed, creating a need for standardization to enable scholars beyond disciplinary boundaries to communicate and benefit from each others' research. (CDD)

Reports on study that used set of measures for characterizing performance with different databases and set of hypotheses for predicting search difficulties based on cognitive processes involved in decision-making aspects of information search. Highlights include confidence assessment, system design criteria, transparency, metatransparency, and…

The Library of Congress has embarked on a three-year pilot program in image preservation and retrieval using optical disk technology. Print materials (text, maps, music) will be captured on digital optical disks, and nonprint materials (motion pictures, slides, drawings) on analog optical disks, or videodisks. (EJS)

Review of background and justification of computerization project initiated to automate information work covers design concepts; implementation; and major characteristics of databases (local versions of BIOSIS and INSPEC, union catalog of monographs from Library of Congress/MARC records, union catalog of serials from International Serials Data…

Describes experiment designed to assess information value for individual searchers in realistic search environment. Included in data analysis are comparison of two alternative retrieval methods, evaluation of how well humans are able to estimate document relevance, and investigation of value function components (features and coefficients) and…

Investigated attributes of 61 online searchers that were believed to affect quality of search results: creativity level (measured using two self-report inventories); intelligence level (approximated from GRE verbal and quantitative scores); and personality traits in regard to masculinity, femininity, and self-esteem (measured using…

A subject profile using 39 concepts central to the practice of social work was searched in Social Work Abstracts (SWAB), PsycINFO, ERIC, and Social SciSearch. Social work practice concepts and search strategy, search term results, journal titles searched, and source coverage and date of most recently indexed article are noted. (EJS)

Describes process by which two operational components of National Epilepsy Library and Resource Center (reference library, information and referral unit) combined existing retrieval package with specially designed software to make optimum use of a Wang VS-80 minicomputer. Designing and programing the system, testing and evaluation, and final…

Presents results of five experiments on human information-seeking behavior in different online information-seeking environments which studied search strategies and assessed information value in realistic search environments. A conceptual model of how humans value information is presented. Empirical and modeling results are considered for…

Description of 17 experiments on effects of headings in written text focuses on heading position and form and nature of task (free recall, searching unfamiliar text, and retrieval from familiar text). Results indicate heading position had no effect but both heading forms aided recall, search, and text information retrieval. (MBR)

Describes how automation improves genealogical reference services and access to sources at the Genealogical Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. Highlights include specialized access strategies to the computer-output microfiche catalog, the creation of a union catalog, special outputs from an automated system, and future developments in library…