Informal communication is an integral part of a university. It is therefore necessary to understand its future role in any restructuring of the university caused by attempts to improve its information systems. Two approaches are proposed to facilitate a clarification of this future role. The first consists of a series of queries designed to define…

This paper focuses on the environmental influences of change in the communication structure of organizations and argues that structural changes in communication networks are increasingly externally induced. The unit of analysis selected for discussion in this paper is the individual organization. A communication network among organizations is…

This paper contains a discussion of the limitations of research on group processes in complex organizations and the manner in which a procedure for network analysis in on-going systems can reduce problems. The research literature on group uniformity processes and on theoretical models of these processes from an information processing perspective…

The state of Washington studied ways to deliver library materials by mail, with patrons ordering from a Sears-type catalog of materials. Investigation techniques included a literature search, on-site observations, personal interviews, statistical analyses, mathematical modeling, and computer simulation. It was concluded that mail order book…

A project studied the need for a national library network which would deal with materials by and about blacks. A framework for such a network was developed. Existing black materials were surveyed, agencies holding collections of such materials were analyzed, and a combined agency network conceptualized. The concept was then reviewed by impartial…

This document reports on a project undertaken to determine the feasibility of a periodic national survey of a sample of U.S. school districts to obtain information on the performance of the existing dissemination and utilization network for educational innovations. The first section of volume 1 describes the content and consequences of innovation,…

On April 24, 1974, the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science held hearings in San Antonio, Texas, to gather testimony on its proposed program. Six questions were specifically raised by the Commission: priorities for service, improved services and community relations, deficiencies in service, non-book services, paying for…

An experimental seminar in corporate communication at the University of Maryland was designed to (1) develop a set of theoretical concepts useful to the organizational communicator who functions as a mediator between management and labor, (2) utilize a practical methodology for these concepts, and (3) conduct a case study in cooperation with an…

Questions pertaining to home terminals in the cable environment are examined. The functions of subscriber-owned television receivers in this new setting are examined and the details of set-top converters are closely scrutinized. Also explored are augmented one-way and two-way services which will require such added equipment in the home as a…

Librarians discuss the library use of computers without concerning themselves with the technical aspects of computer software or hardware at this Library Automation Research and Consulting (LARC) Association institute. The first paper, "State of the Art Review," examines some of the fundamental problems of automated serials control, and…

The Northwest Louisiana Supplementary Educational Center, also referred to as the Advantage Center, is described and information is provided to staffs of schools and systems interested in the regional center concept. The publication lists the operational objectives of the Center as follows: 1) to develop computer-based, regional total information…

The work of the Committee on the use of automation in Swedish research libraries has differed from that of a normal study group by virtue of its heavy concentration on the practical aspects of library catalog work, the present status of which is the main theme of this report. The model presented implies total and simultaneous integration of all…

The report consists of 3 parts: (1) a quantitative analysis of the history of psychological gerontology based upon the reconstructed flow of written information in reference networks; (2) a supplement to this analysis which focuses especially on "underdeveloped" areas not represented in the networks; and (3) a wide-ranging inquiry into…

Project ENABEL (Extern Network of Adult Basic Education Leaders) was launched as a pilot project to: (1) analyze the essential character of the Adult Basic Education (ABE) problem, (2) identify individuals and institutions whose functions are critically related to the ABE problem, (3) identify personal qualities and professional competencies…

GLURP is a script-writing language constructed to suit the purposes of the Information System for Vocational Decisions (ISVD). Scripts tell the computer what to say and how to act; they allow the computer to interact with whoever is using the system. Teachers, counselors, etc. wishing to structure the learning of their students and clients need to…