Blogging offers an alternative and sometimes superior way to communicate with library patrons. It provides an opportunity to speak more directly to them, and it does so in a manner that is more comfortable and convenient for all involved. A library's Web site may be the only interaction that patrons have with the organization, so it makes sense to…

In response to the changing educational landscape of the community college, reference librarians must adapt their service to fit the information needs of their patrons. One such update is synchronous digital reference, which applies instant messaging technology to library service. Todd Library at Waubonsee Community College (Sugar Grove, Illinois)…

Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Florida, is celebrating a fifty-year anniversary in 2007. Maintained by the library, the school's archives represent the historical contributions on a local and national level. Gulf Coast Community College library is ensuring the school's historical significance through the digitization of its…

The past several decades have seen numerous approaches toward automated diagnosis and instructional support of students engaged in mathematics problem-solving. These approaches typically involve detailed analysis of potential solution paths for problems, formal representations of correct and incorrect answers, and support in the form of feedback…

This case study describes the process of proposing and implementing a wiki for use in an academic library setting, based on the process used by Iowa State University Library. Using the Iowa State University Library Wiki as a model, this article lays out the decisions necessary at each step of the process of establishing a new wiki. Control of…

This article outlines a pilot project to offer a personalized online library service to Open University MBA alumni. A review of the literature and results of a desktop analysis of other UK Higher Education alumni library services are included. Content procurement and systems issues are considered along with the underlying organizational, resource…

Over the past decade the software products available for solid modeling, dynamic, stress, thermal, and flow analysis, and computer-aiding manufacturing (CAM) have become more powerful, affordable, and easier to use. At the same time it has become increasingly important for students to gain concurrent engineering design and systems integration…

Sixteen papers are presented which focus on microforms and data processing in library and information centers. Articles include discussions of cost analysis, decision making and program planning, library automation, information retrieval, indexing, cataloging, and computer services for libraries. (CH)

Traditional library tasks, for example database searching, are increasingly performed by library users, forcing both the librarian and the user to assume at times dichotomous roles of teacher and student. Modern librarians install new software and guide organizations in multimedia applications. Librarians need to be cognizant of the human factor,…

Little guidance is given in today's general technical services or cataloging textbooks to assist librarians in making decisions on procedures for the physical preparation of materials prior to placement on the shelves for public access. As small, private academic libraries face automation of circulation, addition of security systems, and debates…

This study examined the status of a State University of New York (SUNY) plan to standardize administrative computer systems and the success of the implementation in light of the intention to proceed using cooperative leadership rather than an executive order or policy mandate. The Comprehensive Computer Upgrade Program (CCUP) aimed to modernize…

In today's library environment, the library's most important asset is its machine-readable database. In order to maintain this investment, Data Research Associates provides several comprehensive data conversion services, including retrospective conversion and authority control. For bibliographic records not yet in MARC (machine readable…

Focusing on the ideology of the sexual division of labor with emphasis on women's roles and their work, this paper argues that social ideology dominates both the domestic and the office environment, and is perhaps the most powerful force determining the rate and direction of technological change. The argument set forth is illustrated by two case…

Designed to provide guidance in selecting appropriate software for library automation, information storage and retrieval, or management of bibliographic databases, this inventory describes 188 computer software packages. The information was obtained through a questionnaire survey of 600 software suppliers and developers who were asked to describe…

The productivity of the copyright registration process, which is administered by the Copyright Office within the Library of Congress, can be improved by streamlining the workflow, reducing and streamlining the handling of correspondence, measuring productivity/performance, increasing the use of automation, improving records management, and…