Describes ID Expert, an intelligent computer-based multimedia interactive instructional development and delivery system. Topics include instructional transactions with built-in instructional design; knowledge bases and knowledge representation; automated instructional design; and similarities to GTE (Generic Tutoring Environment). (Author/LRW)

Administrative office technology assessments were delivered via the Internet to 141 vocational students. Compared to 61 who took a paper test, scores for the Internet group were significantly higher; 62% preferred the Internet format. There were few problems with accessing, downloading, taking, and submitting the test. (SK)

The impact of digital check imaging technology on two bank departments was compared. In one, tasks that were not automated were subdivided into narrower jobs. In the other, managers combined multiple related tasks to create jobs of greater complexity. The consequences of technological change thus depended in part on management decisions. (Contains…

Discusses comments made in a previous column relating to reference librarians and online reference services. Topics include the inaccuracy of traditional reference services; the alleged decline in library reference activity; misunderstanding reference librarians; and perceiving Ask Jeeves as a useful alternative model to reference services. (LRW)

Computer programming lends itself to automated assessment. With appropriate software tools, program correctness can be measured, along with an indication of quality according to a set of metrics. Furthermore, the regularity of program code allows plagiarism detection to be an integral part of the tools that support assessment. In this paper, we…

Without question, the ongoing transition from print to electronic periodicals has challenged librarians to rethink their strategies. While some effects of this change have been immediately apparent--greater breadth of material, easier access, exposure to new sources, publisher package deals, and open access--the broader outcomes on library…

In this article, Brian L. Hawkins, President of EDUCAUSE, interviews Clifford A. Lynch, Executive Director of the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), and the recipient of the 2005 EDUCAUSE Award for Leadership in Public Policy and Practice, about, among other things, the current CNI initiatives, digital assets preservation, e-science,…

This article discusses six maxims by which to run library automation. The following maxims are discussed: (1) Solve only known problems; (2) Avoid changing data to fix display problems; (3) Aut viam inveniam aut faciam; (4) If you cannot make it yourself, buy something; (5) Kill the alligator closest to the boat; and (6) Just because yours is…

This article, the second installment of CIL's (Computers in Libraries) 2005 Helping You Buy series, provides an in-depth look at library selfcheck systems from 10 vendors. The product comparison chart will help you to quickly and easily compare products from competing vendors. All of the information on the product comparison chart came directly…

The last time this author wrote about open source (OS) software was in last September's 2004 issue of Computers in Libraries, which was devoted to making the most of what you have and do-it-yourself solutions. After the column appeared, she received an e-mail from David Dorman of Index Data, who believed that she had done OS products a disservice…

Librarians are frequently consulted about proper citation formats and support the use of PC-based personal bibliographic citation management programs, such as EndNote, often used by faculty and graduate students. Recently, free or inexpensive Web-based tools have been developed that create citations and format bibliographies. An analysis of…

Moving materials from receipt of the shipment to distribution to branches within 48 hours is such a hassle among members of the technical services department of Columbus Metropolitan Library. However, these issues challenged them to find alternative solutions to achieve their goals. After reviewing the in and outs of their department and making a…

This study examines the deployment of automated red light camera systems in the state of Texas from 2003 through late 2007. The deployment of new technologies in general, and surveillance infrastructures in particular, can prove controversial and challenging for the formation of public policy. Red light camera surveillance during this period in…

The major objectives of the study were to produce a storage/transportation model which minimized (1) the cost of storage space for book materials, and (2) cost of transportation for book materials. In minimizing these costs, they are considered in relation to the time required to provide service. The data used in the study include land and…

To what extent a blended learning configuration of face-to-face lectures, online on-demand video recordings of the face-to-face lectures and the offering of online quizzes with appropriate feedback has an additional positive impact on the performance of these students compared to the traditional face-to-face course approach? In a between-subjects…