Addresses the question of whether interest in downloading into local electronic libraries is a reflection of user needs or is being generated by those who have something to sell. Growth of online services, growth of local computer capacity, purposes of a local electronic library, and sources of data are highlighted. (EJS)

Describes the optical digital disk, which stores machine-readable information in digitized form, and discusses their production, cost, present and future applications. The major companies currently active in the disk field are noted. (MBR)

Examines trends in the mass storage of information using optical disks, focusing on applications and various types of systems. Includes a list of optical disk drive products with manufacturer, product, capacity, and access time. (JN)

This article discusses sources from which information used in in-house databases can be obtained and enumerates points to consider in database building phase (test database design ideas against external database if available, make arrangements for data entry, exercise quality control). Fourteen contractors or sources of computerized information…

Explores the possibilities of using videodisc and optical disk technology as publishing media, highlighting the videodisc as an educational tool and visual supplement to online databases, digital database publishing on videodisc, optical disks for electronic document and image delivery systems, and costs associated with videodisc design and…

Describes the use of a microcomputer system to generate a personal database of books read by adding titles, displaying title/author information, and editing title/author information and discusses the system design, i.e., file structure (author index, book index, book, author), the main driver, function subroutines, and screen subroutines. (EJS)

This essay discusses the advantages and limitations of several publishing media--monochrome microforms, online data transmission, and videodiscs. Points to be considered in making a marketable choice as to whether to reproduce material on microform or videodisc are noted. (EJS)

Examination of management information systems of three manufacturing firms highlights principal characteristics, document types and functions, main information flows, storage and retrieval systems, and common problems (corporate memory failure, records management, management information systems, general management). A literature review and…

Details distinction between digital and analog data, advantages of analog storage, and optical disc use to store analog data. Configuration and potential of three levels of laser disc systems are explained. Selection of display devices for use with laser disc systems and accessing audio data are addressed. (Continued in next issue.) (EJS)

This report provides an overview of knowledge organization systems (KOSs) and includes pertinent examples of their application to digital materials, offering extensive practical information for institutions embarking on digital library initiatives. The first section of the report defines the general characteristics of KOSs, with emphasis on their…

Digital materials are vulnerable to a number of different kinds of failures, including decay of the digital media, loss due to hackers and viruses, accidental deletions, natural disasters, and bankruptcy of the institution holding the collection. Digital archives can best survive failures if they have made several copies of their collections at…

Mental health facilities that feed data about their patients into computers should be careful to follow civil liberties standards and those of professional ethics, so that they do not unwittingly contribute to unathorized breaches of privacy. (Authors)

A system for the storage and retrieval of graphics-supported narrative presentations, such as blackboard lectures, is described and preliminary cost estimates are provided. (5 references) (Author)

The BIBCON file management system, designed for use on IBM 360 system equipment, performs two basic functions: (1) it creates MARC structured, bibliographic records from untagged input data; (2) from these records it produces page image output for book catalogs. (7 references) (Author)