Explores the use of signs and other graphics systems in library instruction, orientation, regulation, and current awareness. Designing an effective sign system, integrating graphics with other forms of instruction, and current trends are discussed. Fifteen references are cited. (FM)

Details how a manual, nonautomated adaptation of Vernon E. Palmour's study on interlibrary loan costs, characteristics, and magnitude was designed and implemented to show interlibrary loan costs at the University of Oklahoma. Five references are cited. (FM)

The Division of Computer Services at the University of Wyoming is a combined academic and administrative installation. Administrative systems are developed through a team approach, with representatives from the user office, the Institutional Data Management group, and the Division of Computer Services. (MLW)

Reviews the development of online systems in science and technology from batch searching through the advent of multinational online services, describes the key technological components, and discusses the economics of online systems. (Author/FM)

Examines various types of link list structures built on top of the traditional random access files for application to a database query technique involving multiple keys, and shows how the technique can improve performance of traditional random access files for the Grants Information System. (Author/CMV)

Discusses the societal implications of advanced information technology, focusing on ethical questions and the personal responsibility of the information professional in designing information systems. (FM)

Discusses options for systems organizations of information and referral services in libraries, the problems of data collection, and three myths which are traps to the successful implementation of an information and referral service. (Author/PF)

Highlights the manner in which different models for financing higher education can contribute to the management of higher education in Germany. Includes discussions of the management of student distribution within a given university and the development of systems for performance analysis. (SLD)

Proposes a summarization system for multiple documents that employs named entities and other signatures to cluster news from different sources, as well as punctuation marks, linking elements, and topic chains to identify the meaningful units (MUs). Using nouns and verbs to identify similar MUs, focusing and browsing models are applied to represent…

Describes the design of an online competitive learning environment that involved three basic competitive forms and 16 competitive activities to stimulate student motivation. Explains "Joyce", a system in which users can compete with either a computer agent or via the Internet. (Author/LRW)

This introduction presents a framework for discussing hypertext, previews individual articles, and discusses some relations of hypertext to library science. Historical notes are also provided, as well as biographical information on the authors of individual articles in this special section. (16 references) (CLB)

Considers what constitutes a system for design learning (SDL) based on activities of the International Systems Institute and on designing and implementing SDL in a master's program in marriage and family therapy. Establishing a design culture by creating a design community and learning from anxiety are also discussed. (Contains 11 references.)…

Describes a system developed at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) that automatically converts index terms from the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) to NASA thesaurus terms. The NASA Lexical Dictionary (NLD) that generates thesaurus terms for indexing is explained, and the development of machine-aided indexing is…

Reviews several noncyclical, nonrepetitive hypotheses that try to predict broad spectrum maturational stages of overall information technology growth. Based on the areas of convergence among the hypotheses, several predictions are offered, and it is suggested that we are at a major transition point entering the third stage of computerized…

Includes two columns that discuss comprehensive systems design in education, including the design architecture and the dynamics of design; and the use of metaphors in explaining teacher planning and classroom interactions, including mental planning and imagery and the relationships between metaphor and practice. (Contains 22 references.) (LRW)