Examines current needs and uses of on-line retrieval systems and discusses future possibilities which are dependent on: (1) technological developments; (2) progress in the documentation of information from scientific research; (3) availability and use of funds for employing and coupling available technology and the useful results of research; and…

Reports an investigation conducted to improve the performance of SDI profiles in a large, complex data base that contains over a million references to scientific and technical literature, and uses full text indexing for retrieval. (Author/MBR)

Online systems can serve as new tools for scientific policy makers to review research proposals that require comparative assessment by providing an objective criterion for evaluating the previous work of a group and the timeliness and originality of a proposed project. Examples describe the evaluation process, a research team and a periodical.…

Describes operational use of on-line field access, a powerful improvement upon search key access to on-line records and a viable alternative to full key word access; and discusses some of the questions considered at Northwestern University Library during a redesign of the technical services modules of the Northwestern On-Line Intergrated System…

In January 1980, the Library of Congress will freeze its card catalogs preparatory to going online and adopt the cataloging rules of AACR 2. Related issues of particular interest to public service librarians include revisions of LC subject headings, possible use of arbitrary symbols for the shelflist, and the degree of linkage between the pre-1980…

Conference Papers Index gives both bibliographic and ordering information for papers presented at engineering, life sciences, and physical sciences conferences held throughout the world. This database description includes information on access points, sample citations, searchable fields, and data base specifications. (JPF)

The major meetings and publications on developments in cataloging and classification during 1977 are summarized. Major issues covered include the closing of card catalogs and alternative catalog formats; national and international standards policies for cataloging; development of information networking; and indexing and classification…

A study subsidizing student use of online literature searching services examined how this new technology met student needs. Student search patterns and overall satisfaction with online searches were evaluated. The implications of student use of computer searches for reference services are also discussed. (Author)

This paper describes an interactive computer software system developed at Tuskegee Institute which is designed to allow flexibility in the development, administration, and scoring of examinations. (Author)

A game that simulates stages in the innovation diffusion process and allows research into the spatial and temporal spread of innovations is reported. The characteristis of player decision-making and factors underlying variation in the spatial patterning of diffusion are also discussed.

Describes the inequities and inefficiencies created by user fees in public libraries and publicly supported academic libraries and agencies. Alternatives to user fees are suggested. (KP)

A Bayesian argument is used to suggest modifications to the Robertson and Jones relevance weighting formula to accommodate the addition to the query of terms taken from the relevant documents identified during the search. (Author)

Addresses the importance of item specific information to online public access catalog users and conversion planning. Options for attaching item specific information to bibliographic records are described: conversion via local system terminal, automatic item creation from OCLC bibliographic records, custom label programs. Examples of bar codes are…

Reports results of a survey of 151 accredited law schools that examined the status of advanced level legal research courses. The survey included questions on the need for such courses, the best methods for providing instruction, the origin of impetus for courses, teacher selection, and course content. (CLB)

Organized by decade from 1937 to 1988, this issue presents essays on developments in information science; lists the trustees, directors and presidents of ASIS; and provides selected readings for the decade. Also included are historical and current information on award winners, special interest groups, and local chapters. (CLB)