Within the U.S., information is a good in the "sphere" of basic welfare and security, and therefore (following Walzer's theory of justice), it should be distributed on the basis of the principle appropriate to the meaning of goods in that sphere-communal provision based on need and not on the basis of the distributive principle…

Reports results of a study investigating effects of four user characteristics on users' mental models of information retrieval (IR) systems. Findings indicated that educational and professional status, academic background, and computer experience had significant effects in differentiating users on their factor scores. First language had a…

Proposes a linguistic model for an Information Retrieval System (IRS) defined using an ordinal fuzzy linguistic approach. The query subsystem accepts Boolean queries with terms weighted by ordinal linguistic values and the evaluation subsystem returns documents arranged in relevance classes labeled with ordinal linguistic values. The system gives…

Explores aspects of information retrieval complexity, specifically the demands on users and information systems, using a proposed query as an example. Discusses previous writings on subject access, search strategies and retrieval potential, and classification as a retrieval tool. An appendix shows the subject headings assigned to books in a…

Presents a new technique for information access based on a combination of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and conceptual structures as modeled in relational concept analysis. Describes a graphical interface that allows access of spatial, hierarchical, and linear data in a common manner; discusses its features and limits. (Author/AEF)

Compares three system models (closed, open, dissipative) with traditional models for adoption of new technology and library operations. Argues that information-provider organizations (libraries) must be able to adapt to radical changes in their environments in order to remain viable economic entities. (Author/AEF)

Technological advancements are helping school business officials at the Fountain Valley (California) School District effectively manage district assets, thanks to developments in budget and finance software, videoconferencing, online purchasing and fund raising, inventory bar codes and portable scanners, paperless forms and applications, writable…

Introduces the special issue of the "Journal of American Society for Information Science and Technology," (JASIST) whose intent is to provide a forum for assessment of "where we have been and where we are going." Highlights themes that emerged from nine selected articles: Community and Trust; Communication and Community;…

Explores the potential and impact of an innovative information environment in enhancing user activities in using electronic documents for various tasks, and to support the value-adding of these e-documents. Discusses the conceptual design and prototyping of a proposed environment, PROPIE. Presents an empirical and formative evaluation of the…

Reviews currently available instructional systems design models and describes a new design model for Web-based knowledge management (KM) systems, based on a living-systems approach, and the mechanisms it contains for accommodating change and growth. Illustrates the application of the phases of the model in the development of a KM system with…

Presents The Keystone Principles developed by academic library directors through ARL (Association of Research Libraries) and OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) that focus on three areas: (1) access to information as a public good; (2) the responsibility of libraries to create innovative information systems to disseminate information; and (3)…

Describes the conceptual foundations for the Gateway to Educational Materials (GEM) metadata framework including adoption of the Dublin Core Element Set as its base referent, and extension of that set to meet the needs of the domain. Discusses selection and structuring of the units of description. Examines metadata generation, the association of…

Introduces a prototype system for devising and using a metadata vocabulary for data retrieval, based on a project at the United States Department of Agriculture. A unified information-access system called REEIS (Research, Education, Economics, Extension Information System) is being designed to provide a knowledge base of programs, projects, and…

The SALOMON project automatically summarizes Belgian criminal cases to improve access to existing and future court decisions. This article gives background information about the texts of the cases and describes the output, design models, and architecture of the SALOMON system. Evaluation of 700 criminal cases demonstrates that the algorithms have…

Focuses on how geographic information systems (GIS) software can be used to help simplify the integration of math and science. Discusses the importance of an integrated mathematics and science model, and how GIS can be used to help unite the two disciplines. Provides a lesson plan for teachers using GIS. (AEF)