This report describes the development and operations of FORMAT, a Canadian database system designed to achieve comprehensive national bibliographic control of Canadian-produced audiovisual materials. FORMAT's developmental criteria are outlined, including its emphasis on Canadian-produced audiovisual documents, French/English bilingualism,…

The second of two volumes of a conference preceedings, this volume contains the preprints of five submitted papers, which are published as submitted by the authors: M. Broadbent and L. B. McIntyre, "Information Management: Promise and Reality"; E. Spoor, "Management Information from Library Systems"; R. Walsh, "Integrated…

Decision makers must address the issues of (1) just what are electronic communications? (2) how will they help me teach, administer, or survive? and (3) what will it cost in time and money? Electronic mail allows the sending of letters, memos, and messages to anyone who uses the same electronic mail system, and provides most of the options that…

This paper describes a number of different types of training aids currently employed in online training: non-interactive audiovisual presentations; interactive computer-based aids; partially interactive aids based on recorded searches; print-based materials; and kits. The advantages and disadvantages of each type of aid are noted, and a table…

This document reports on two projects jointly sponsored by the National Academy of Science (NAS) (USA) and the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas (CONICET) (ARGENTINA). The first is the creation of a telex network for scientific libraries and documentation centers in Argentina, designed to improve access to, and delivery…

The articles in these four issues include discussions of: the Research Libraries Advisory Committee to OCLC; Title II-C grants for bibliographic access/control research projects; cooperative cataloging costs via OCLC; a research project on online public access; an OCLC examination of the UK-MARC format; use of the Comprehensive Index (CINDEX) and…

The database contents, search features, and costs of two services offered by UTLAS (University of Toronto Library Automation Systems) are compared to determine which of the two should be used for interlibrary loan (ILL) processing at Concordia University. A review of studies of CATSS (Catalogue Support System) is provided, as well as a description…

This manual has been prepared as a means of introducing students to online computer searching using DIATOM, a simulation of the ERIC file as it is searchable on the DIALOG Retrieval Service. The objectives and contents of the DIATOM system are described in the preface to the manual. The overall process of bibliographic searching and the procedures…

This general discussion of adaptation of new technologies to the administration of libraries stresses the mismatch between the developmental pace of technology and the change adaptive capabilities of people, and advocates the participation of users in the planning and implementation of change. It explores the complexity factor in technology, the…

Recent research on human factors in the man-machine communications interface is reviewed and discussed as it relates to the problem of establishing optimal system response times for the various kinds of tasks performed at the computer terminal. Optimal system response time is operationally defined, and the conflicting demands of system design,…

A detailed descriptive analysis of both the direct and indirect costs incurred by the Federal government in operating the ERIC system, and the user population and user demand for ERIC products and services, this study is based on data gathered from a number of complementary sources. These sources included a survey of ERIC's U.S. intermediate…

This investigation of search patterns associated with the MEDLINE database had four primary objectives: (1) to refine the stochastic process method of evaluating user behavior; (2) to examine user search behavior exhibited when selecting documents sets; (3) to identify factors that affect the patterns of user behavior; and (4) to use data from the…

OCLC is a computer network system providing an online union catalog and cataloging, interlibrary loan, serials control, name-address directory, acquisitions, and circulation control services to over 4000 user terminals linked together by dedicated leased telephone lines or by dial access systems. OCLC users have at their fingertips online files of…

A study by the Northern Territories Department of Community Development systematically and specifically identified information needs and categories of clients through a set of intellectual concepts in the fields of sport, recreation, and leisure. A survey of Australia's serials holdings was conducted to assess the country's existing information…

This paper discusses the use of an interactive computer system as a major component of instruction for the graduate level introductory educational statistics course at the University of Maine at Orono. Four major computer topics are covered in the statistics course: (1) terminal and computer operation, (2) Montana State University Interactive…