This essay focuses on the effects of the information revolution and technological advancement on humans, noting themes in George Orwell's "1984," technology insecurity in libraries, technology and control, social interest regulation, ownership of telecommunications lines, technology and humanism, programming people, and effects on…

The University Information Center has transformed data retrieval and reporting from a slow process performed by high-priced technical personnel to an instantaneous service performed by those who need and can define the service required. The result at Indiana University has been improved quality of computing. (Author/MLW)

This review of the process of retrospective conversion (recon)--conversion of existing bibliographic records into machine-readable form--notes options and services (bibliographic utilities, commercial vendors); new technologies (microcomputer and optical-disc-based systems); collaboration and a coordinated recon strategy; cooperative efforts; and…

Reports on database management system (dbms) applications designed by library school students for university community at University of Iowa. Three dbms design issues are examined: synthesis of relations, analysis of relations (normalization procedure), and data dictionary usage. Database planning prior to automation using data dictionary approach…

This symposium presents thoughts of OCLC's president and six reactions to news that OCLC has decided to register its database for copyright. Topics covered include copyright and access to information, legal and technical issues, reasoning behind the decision, a threat to sharing, improved communications, and copyright enforcement. References are…

This article examines the role of authority control in an online environment. Topics covered include a definition of authority control, the relationship between authority control and catalogs, current school of thought regarding the need for authority control, and other models of data administration. Twenty-three references are cited. (Author/EJS)

Reviews types of electronically and optically published media (EOPM) and their various delivery methods, briefly discussing their applications in the library. Highlights include the advantages and disadvantages of a library making use of EOPM and the impact of EOPM on different aspects of the librarian's world. Fourteen sources are given. (EJS)

Introduction to videodisc and optical disk technology (information storage media which are able to handle word, data, image, and sound) cites articles written about videodisc and optical disk applications, instructional use, videodisc research, and information retrieval. A list of 30 suggested readings and additional information resources are…

Outlines basic videodisc and optical disk technology describing both optical and capacitance videodisc technology. Optical disk technology is defined as a mass digital image and data storage device and briefly compared with other information storage media including magnetic tape and microforms. The future of videodisc and optical disk is…

Description of America: History and Life (AHL)--database including references from over 2,000 periodicals in literature, philosophy, religion, art, sociology, other disciplines of historical value--highlights structure; document treatment; access points; comparison of dissertation coverage between AHL and Comprehensive Dissertation Abstracts;…

Summarizes types of machine access available for users of Chemical Abstracts Online, a database which can accept and print out graphics images of chemical compounds. The use of Tektronix terminals, capabilities and limitations of other types of graphic termials and microcomputers, and estimated costs are noted. (EJS)

Discussion of planning, installation, and results of an online catalog at University of Maryland Health Sciences Library highlights Integrated Library System, speed and patron perceptions of online catalog, searching power, ways in which catalog can bypass physical and organizational boundaries, and effect on staff and users of the library. (EJS)

Analytical methods for facilitating comparison of multiple sets during online searching are illustrated by description of specific searching methods that eliminate duplicate citations and a factoring procedure based on syntactic relationships that establishes ranked sets. Searches executed in National Center for Mental Health database on…

Traces history of National Technical Information Service (NTIS), charting growth into social science information resource. Acquisition criteria and sources of social science information processed by NTIS, indexing practices and subject classifications of interest to social scientists, and relationships between NTIS and Government Printing Office…

Comparison of access through the traditional catalog and online systems focuses on functions of the library card catalog--to provide access to all of author's work including works whereby author is identified in nonidentical ways, and to present to user all editions and translations as representations of a given work. (EJS)