The use of the computer for medical information processing was introduced about a decade ago. Considerable inroads have now been made toward its applications to problems in medicine. Present uses of the computer, both as a computational and noncomputational device include the following: automated search of patients' files; on-line clinical data…

During the five years of activities the documentation centre at the Royal Institute of Technology has established itself as an information centre in the fields of science and technology. The SDI service is now well implemented and its activities are used and appreciated by scientists, research workers and engineers at the universities, research…

Eight public libraries participated in a two-year experiment to investigate the potential of the public library as a "linking agent" between the public and the many machine-readable data bases currently accessible using on line computer terminals. The investigation covered users of the service, impact on the library, conditions for…

Presents the decisions behind the closing of the main card catalog at University of Toronto Library and the procedures, problems, and costs involved in converting the catalog to an on-line system. User orientation to the conversion, including microform catalogs, training procedures, and use patterns are also discussed. (CWM)

This report suggest guidelines to library administrators and educators for staff development and continuing education in automated bibliographic retrieval services through the projection of an academically programmed learning module. A two-day course of instruction for those with a minimal background in online information retrieval is outlined.…

Evaluation results are described for the DIALIB project, a three year experiment of on-line bibliographic search services in four public libraries. Findings include users of the system and their characteristics; use of data bases; librarian reactions; and time and cost of on-line searching, both in a free and fee-based environment. (Author/JPF)

A number of science museums and science-technology centers throughout the United States are making computers accessible and understandable to the general public. A five-stage model of public access to computers is introduced, and ways of implementing the first level, special public access, are described.

An analysis of retrieved citations and user feedback shows that no single data base for agriculture is sufficiently comprehensive in coverage. In terms of maximum information yield and relative ease of effective profile construction, BIOSIS Previews and the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux file were the most productive data bases. (Author)

Discusses the CODER system, which was developed to investigate the application of artificial intelligence methods to increase the effectiveness of information retrieval systems, particularly those involving heterogeneous documents. Highlights include the use of PROLOG programing, blackboard-based designs, knowledge engineering, lexicological…

ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center), a national database funded by the U.S. Department of Education to collect and analyze literature on all areas of education and education-related fields, is described. Samples of student activities literature found in a search of ERIC are provided, along with a list of database vendors. (MLW)

Description of the way in which some essential features of pathfinders have been incorporated in the online library catalog at Lehigh University discusses factors involved in record design, provides examples of records used with a GEAC Integrated Library System, and suggests several ways of implementing pathfinder records online. (CDD)

This essay illustrates a technique for reducing the risks of capital investment decisions involving considerable sums for advanced technologies by considering its application to a problem that arises frequently in selection of automated library systems. Incomplete information, using available information, selecting a system, and consultants are…

Describes various modifications of query formulations, or moves, made by experienced online searchers to improve search results. Operational moves that modify query formulation while keeping meaning of query components unchanged and conceptual moves that change meaning of query components are described; all moves are then related to search tactics…

Discusses online systems and databases that contain information on Japanese business and economic activity. A reference chart provides the name, address, coverage dates, and costs of major online sources. (CLB)

Describes the development of a bibliographic information system designed to assist architecture/engineering firms under contract to the Army Corps of Engineers in locating regulations or guidelines for the planning, design, or construction of army facilities. A sample search of the system is appended. (Author/CLB)