Introduces and defines the concept of online information databases and discusses how these information sources have been marketed in the past. Argues that their wealth is underused by managers and identifies databases that provide valuable management information. Identifies new trends in the industry that will help managers exploit this tool. (CH)

Suggests library applications of the Interactive Financial Planning Systems (IFPS), a software program for financial and statistical analysis. Two models using line item and program budgets for hypothetical special libraries are constructed to illustrate use of IFPS, and the program's report writing function is also illustrated. Seventeen figures…

Describes the use of PROLOG to program knowledge-based information retrieval systems, in which the knowledge contained in a document is translated into machine processable logic. Several examples of the resulting search process, and the program rules supporting the process, are given. (10 references) (CLB)

Describes automated storage and retrieval (AS/R) techniques and discusses benefits, conservation considerations, and costs of the AS/R approach to the storage of library books. Thirteen annotated references are listed. (MES)

Examines three familiar humanities databases that do not have named person indexes and identifies strategies to facilitate both quick, precise searching and high recall for searches where the subject is a personal name. Descriptions of the databases, suggested search strategies, and sample searches are provided. (CDD)

This introduction to the nonbibliographic databases offered by the Dow Jones News/Retrieval Service describes file content and search strategies in four groups: Dow Jones Business and Economic News; Dow Jones Quotes (market prices for stocks and other securities); Financial and Investment Services; General News and Information Services. Examples…

Discusses the nature of modern office automation, microcomputer access controls that can be activated to improve security (passwords, error lockout, palm geometry, automatic shutoff, time lock, call back), data communications controls (cryptographic transmission of data, scramblers, dial-back-devices), and management practices that may be…

Presents system for automatic handling of ordered sets, states based on these sets, and differing points of view regarding Universe of Discourse. Aspects are represented by new logical "overlap" function with examples taken from Ranganathan's horse and carriage parable and several books involving four main concepts (history, geography,…

Reviews databases providing information on published, standardized and unpublished, non-standardized test instruments: Educational Testing Service File, Mental Measurements Yearbook Database, Dissertation Abstracts Online, ERIC, and Psychological Abstracts. Search strategies, search examples, and a summary chart of searchable fields for test…

Discusses the evolution of standards for bar codes (series of printed lines and spaces that represent numbers, symbols, and/or letters of alphabet) and describes the two types most frequently adopted by libraries--Code-A-Bar and CODE 39. Format of the codes is illustrated. Six references and definitions of terminology are appended. (EJS)

A cost analysis of 411 on-line bibliographic search requests was conducted. The average cost was $28.41 exclusive of telephone line charges. (Author)

A survey is given of the potential role of artificial intelligence in retrieval systems. The paper concludes with an outline of areas for further research on artificial intelligence in information retrieval systems. (Author)

Five public libraries and three academic libraries were surveyed about their use and evaluation of the New York Times Information Bank. (PF)

Counselors and educators face a constant struggle to keep abreast of the vast amounts of new information available, assessing this information, and continuing to gather even more information. Individual's information searching strategies often take considerable time and cause considerable frustration in getting the results wanted. While increasing…

The aim of this paper is to indicate to colleagues the purpose and use of the Newswatcher application for news and of listservers for specialist communication. This is the way in which I was able to find out more about WWW sites, as well as that news and specialist lists are of interest in themselves. Firstly I should make clear that all the…