Stresses the importance of teaching the skills necessary for students to understand computer communications, including microcomputer and remote computer commands; how to get information from human resources through a bulletin board service or information utility; and keyword searching and Boolean logic. (EM)

Traces the history of Virginia Tech's requirement that incoming freshmen majoring in computer science each acquire a microcomputer running the UNIX operating system; explores rationale for the decision; explains system's key features; and describes program implementation and research and development efforts to provide personal information…

Describes the Navy's Military Personnel Records System (MPRS), an updatable micrographics system that is evolving into a sophisticated and innovative optical data disk automated personnel information system for officers and enlisted personnel. Highlights include current and proposed systems, their evolution, operating characteristics, and project…

Growth of special resource centers (i.e., Gerontological Information Program (GRIP) and New York Statewide Resource Center for Geriatric Education) shows need for intermediary information services to bridge gap between specialist in need of information and enormous quantity of information on aging scattered throughout wide range of disciplines. (9…

In this fifth course installment, the impact of technological developments on subject access is discussed. Expert opinions concerning trends in online catalogs, information storage, information generation, the user interface, library use of computer technology, subject access to pictorial materials, user friendly access sytems, and quicker access…

Describes experiments relating information to decision making. The experiments were developed to validate previously suggested conceptual model of information flow and its relation to decision making and to establish specific values for significant parameters involved. Background and summary of recent research and experimental design and research…

Findings from national survey describing sources that were used to obtain information about mental health topics by individuals in various settings demonstrates: importance of person-to-person communication; differences in sources used and value placed on sources; information-seeking episodes generally involve using multiple sources to obtain…

Use of online bibliographic databases as ready-reference sources was evaluated in five-month study at three reference areas in University of Arizona Library. Equipment and training requirements were analyzed, and statistics were collected on databases searched, costs per search, question type, and patron and staff reactions. Ready-reference…

Relates how 16 "computer writers" felt about how they use the computer for writing tasks and reports on three experimental studies that compared the performance of college students reading texts displayed on a computer terminal screen and on a printed hard copy. Findings showed that visual/spatial factors influenced locational recall,…

To determine degree of online bibliographic support available to Arab-Islamic scholars in the non-Arab world seeking materials dealing with Arabic language and Islamic cultures, 16 databases available through Bibliographic Retrieval Service and DIALOG Information Services were consulted. Records and documents retrieved for requests for general and…

Discusses two major categories of problems relating to literature access in developing and peripheral countries--inability to access/use secondary services and inability to obtain relevant primary literature in timely and cost-efficient fashion. Two approaches for solutions involving regional and subregional networks are suggested. Eight sources…

Examines 55 articles from 25 popular magazines such as "Better Homes and Gardens,""Business Week,""Popular Mechanics," and "Working Woman" and discusses purpose of the articles, consumer oriented online services, libraries and information centers, databases, and publishers and intermediaries. A list of the…

A survey of 430 users of online catalog at Ohio State University Libraries found that most users are undergraduate students (68 percent) and that majority (95 percent) choose online catalog as first source of information. Fewer performed known-item searches and success rates were generally higher than reported in earlier studies. (8 references)…

This first in a series of six articles introducing microcomputer applications in smaller libraries discusses microcomputer components (hardware, operating systems, applications software); microcomputer history; current hardware; library applications; performance criteria; factors influencing performance; integrated systems; information retrieval;…

Examines a multiplicity of issues that must be considered as features are taken from two existing systems--libraries and computing centers--and used in moving toward the integrated information support system of the future. Discussion covers indexing, conversion, access, security, costs, changes in the workplace, and challenges of transition. (EJS)