Presents an overview of automated library acquisitions with emphasis on vendor developed systems. The article provides definitions, a description of an ideal system, a selection procedure for optimal purchasing decisions, and predictions for the future. An evaluation sheet and checklist are included. (RAA)

Findings of a longitudinal study indicate high success rates for OCLC as a source of cataloging copy. They further suggest that holding patterns for many types of materials may be unnecessary. (Author/RAA)

Reviews the history of the federal depository library program, noting the legislation that determined the present system of libraries. Two important developments are described--the format change of the Monthly Catalog and the GPO (Government Printing Office) micropublishing program--and future plans are revealed. (JD)

Recommends a five-year delay in implementation of AACR II to allow projected improvements in library automation to lower costs and increase the benefits of change. Such a delay will allow the adoption of an uncompromised code of cataloging practice at minimal cost. (RAA)

The developments over the past decade in the use of on-line systems by libraries are recounted. Cost is discussed as an initial deterrent, and then as a catalyst for change. (MBR)

An analysis of the procedures used at Indiana University's Regional Campus Libraries Technical Services Center is presented to document a complex interface between the center's automated acquisitions/cataloging system and the OCLC system. (Author)

A series of follow-ups of office systems graduates from 1977-94 (n=263) demonstrated how technology has shaped the office systems curriculum and occupations. Computer literacy and communicative competence are essential skills. Promotion and salary prospects are good. (SK)

Discusses the development of special libraries to meet demands of interdisciplinary information and describes the library at The Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi (India) which establishes a synergy between research and information derived from research through a computerized information management system. Considers evaluation of special…

Examines changes in libraries due to information technology and discusses the need for partnerships between librarians, information scientists, and technologists. Topics include access to information as the core concept for communication; research into how library systems are actually used; testing libraries' use of technology; and how library…

Discusses access methods in hypermedia and information retrieval and describes a research project in which similarity measures have been extended to include imprecise matching over different dimensions of structured classification schemes. The semantic similarity of information units forms the basis for the automatic construction of links and is…

Reports the results of a survey conducted shortly after the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, through its U.S. Library Program, awarded a statewide grant of computers and software to public libraries in Louisiana, to gather data about the grant's impact on library staff. A copy of the survey is appended. (Author/LRW)

Interviews in two technology-intensive Finnish companies (banking and engineering) found that workplace learning was continuous and active. Learning stimuli and competence development differed in two settings. A more systematic, long-term approach to learning and acknowledgment of collective competence could improve the work environment as a…

Reports an approach to automatic thesaurus construction for Chinese documents. Presents an effective Chinese keyword extraction algorithm. Compared to previous studies, this method speeds up the thesaurus generation process drastically. It also achieves a similar percentage level of term relatedness. Includes three tables and four figures.…

Analysis of 1994-95 data on customer service representatives in 303 banks revealed a positive relationship between high-involvement work practices (quality circles) and extensive use of information technology (IT) to support sales. Use of IT to automate routine processes and no quality circles were associated with lower wages. (Contains 55…

Discusses the increasing complexity of dealing with interlibrary loan requests and describes a database management system for interlibrary loans used at Texas Tech University. System functions are described, including file control, records maintenance, and report generation, and the impact on staff productivity is discussed. (CLB)