Review of literature describing use of Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN) in reference service shows that, although most authors ably describe RLIN's potential, very few have tested this potential in any meaningful way. It is suggested these impressions of usefulness do not justify expense of RLIN's use in reference service. (MBR)

POPLINE, a cooperatively produced bibliographic retrieval system offered through MEDLARS, is a comprehensive collection of the worldwide literature on population and family planning. A comparison of several medical and social science databases with POPLINE indicates that POPLINE offers the greatest depth and breadth of subject coverage in this…

Examines online and printed equivalents of selected government documents indexes to compare the recall, precision, overlap, and cost effectiveness of online and manual searching. Indexes studied were the Monthly Catalog, CIS (Congressional Information Service) Index, and Government Reports Announcements and Index. (CLB)

This paper analyzes proposals for augmenting library bibliographic records for improved subject searching in online catalogs by providing access to parts of books. Arguments for and against adding book content indexing, possible fields for enrichment, and feasibility of 11 alternatives for providing such information are presented. Twenty-two…

Describes various ways in which software systems for online catalogs can be designed to enhance subject access. Highlights include what to search (subject headings, titles, notes, authority-file records, classification numbers, and associated text); truncation and stemming; spelling correction; search strategies (headings, keywords, Boolean…

This overview of PRECIS indexing system use by the National Film Board of Canada covers reasons for its choice, challenge involved in subject analysis and indexing of audiovisual documents, the methodology and software used to process PRECIS records, the resulting catalog subject indexes, and user reaction. Twenty-one references are cited. (EJS)

Examines role and contributions of natural-language processing in information retrieval and artificial intelligence research in context of large operational information retrieval systems and services. State-of-the-art information retrieval systems combining the functional capabilities of conventional inverted file term adjacency approach with…

This essay reassesses various predictions made 10 years ago concerning the replacement of print on paper by electronic publication in light of what has actually taken place in the ensuing decade. A summary of earlier observations, stages of change, electronic publishing and publications, and changes in libraries are highlighted. (EJS)

This 910-item annual update (1984 through early 1985) covers: online systems, databases, services; man-machine studies, database creation, user interface, system design and evaluation; profile development, searching techniques, indexing; usage studies, economics, promotion, online searching services management; user training, microcomputer…

This analysis of nine myths of library automation highlights cost effectiveness, circulation control and delinquency rates, budget allocation, staff needs, technical services productivity, the online catalog, need for consultants, the MARC format, and turnkey systems. Views of the reality regarding each myth are offered. (EJS)

The "average" costs of integrated library system components--including hardware, software, and related expenses--are outlined to assist in projecting the costs of a small system. Potential benefits of such systems, i.e., areas in which operational costs can be reduced through their use, are also reviewed. (EJS)

MINDS (Multiple Intelligent Node Document Servers) is a distributed system of knowledge-based query engines for efficiently retrieving multimedia documents in an office environment of distributed workstations. By learning document distribution patterns and user interests and preferences during system usage, it customizes document retrievals for…

This essay offers suggestions to make online public access catalogs (OPACs) less idiosyncratic and more usable. Discussion covers qualitative difference between online catalog and predecessors, challenge of debunking assumptions, skills for success, maintaining an instructional perspective, catalog development for the people by the people, and the…

Command-driven searches would be facilitated, as users move from system to system, if a common command language were used. Proposed standards for a "Common Command Language for Online, Interactive Information Retrieval" have been developed by National Information Standards Organization (NISO) Committee G, and are now being reviewed for…

Describes a survey of 39 database publishers concerning their policies for downloading, i.e., capture of information into machine-readable format from proprietary databases. Discussion covers fair use principle, long-term storage and reuse, policy enforcement, and per record payment principle. Database publishers surveyed profile of survey…