This overview of telecommunications for librarians provides background on the following topics: (1) basic terminology; (2) cable television; (3) microwaves; (4) local area networking; (5) wide area networking; (6) X.25 networking; (7) other types of network media; and (8) mobile data radio. (MES)

The focus of this paper is to examine the current library practice of processing and delivering information and to introduce alternative scenarios that may keep librarians relevant in the technological era. In the scenarios presented here, the authors will attempt to challenge basic assumptions about the usefulness of and need for OPAC systems,…

Pipes is an interactive data aggregator and manipulator that lets you mashup your favorite online data sources. Pipes could be used to "combine many feeds into one, then sort, filter and translate to create your ultimate custom feed. In this article, the author describes how to use Yahoo! Pipes. The author shares what she has learned in…

Librarians face a dilemma when it comes to copyright. On the one hand, if content providers disappeared, libraries and their patrons would suffer. By doing their part to eliminate copyright violations, they help keep publishers in business. On the other hand, they understand that "information wants to be free." They resent license agreements that…

This report evaluates the construct coverage of the e-rater[R[ scoring engine. The matter of construct coverage depends on whether one defines writing skill, in terms of process or product. Originally, the e-rater engine consisted of a large set of components with a proven ability to predict human holistic scores. By organizing these capabilities…

India is a huge country with a population of more than 1 billion. In India, by tradition, education and learning are highly valued. In fact, India has one of the largest higher education systems in the world, with regard to the number of institutions. Education is a necessity. It is the most effective instrument with which to imbue people with the…

The proposed Minnesota Computer-Aided Library System will provide a basis for the unification of developing programs of library services for academic, research, and public libraries in Minnesota. This report outlines the requirements for the proposed system to automate the University of Minnesota Libraries and to provide automated support via…

The model circulation system outlined is an on-line real time system in which the circulation file is created from the shelf list and the terminal inquiry system includes the capability to query and browse through the bibliographic system and the circulation subsystem together to determine the availability for circulation of specific documents, or…

A brief look at the background and progress of the Shared Cataloging Program is presented. (NH)

The need for standardization, the nature of such standardization, and the work carried out by the Technical Committee on Documentation of the International Organization for Standardization are described. (Author/AB)

Based on a longer, more detailed paper prepared for the 1970 Midwinter Meeting of the Association of Research Libraries, this article discussion auutomation in the context of the management, facilities and system requirements for large research libraries. (Author/NH)

At their core, XML feeds are content-delivery vehicles. This fact has not always been highlighted in library conversations surrounding RSS and ATOM. The authors have looked to extend the conversation by offering a proof of concept application using RSS as a means to deliver all types of library data: PDFs, docs, images, video--to people where and…

Deciding whether to go with a particular open source product is an exercise in risk management: understanding the risks of one's possible actions and choices, calculating when a certain level of risk is appropriate to reach a desired outcome, and planning for how to handle negative outcomes. To be sure, opting to go with a particular proprietary…

Assessment of student learning is a core function of educators. Ideally students should be provided with timely, constructive feedback to facilitate learning. However, provision of high quality feedback becomes more complex as class sizes increase, modes of study expand and academic workloads increase. ICT solutions are being developed to…