Explains multimedia information systems (MMIS) and describes a pilot system with automatic content retrieval developed at the Victoria University of Manchester (England). Topics discussed include types of databases; requirements of the Manchester MMIS; system architecture and operation; semantic data and their representation of images; queries;…

This paper describes the Grolier Publishing Company's development of its encyclopedic text database by editing the machine-readable data files from which the Academic American Encyclopedia was printed, and its longer-term objective of creating a multimedia encyclopedia when the technology for a viable delivery system becomes available. Topics…

This online pilot project demonstrates the feasibility of using the OCLC transaction tapes to create an online catalog, and the utility of the BRS database structure for loading this data and for online searching. It also shows the feasibility of a user-cordial interface for patrons and for staff and provides an opportunity to test many factors…

The Library of Congress presents the history of its Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) system. Descriptions of MARC pilot projects and distribution services are followed by a discussion of several conversion projects undertaken by libraries in order to implement MARC. Then MARC's influence on standardization of formats for information interchange,…