Focuses on problems in making machine-readable data files (MRDFs) accessible and in using them: quality of data in MRDFs themselves (social scientists' concern) and accessibility--availability of bibliographic control, quality of documentation, level of user skills (librarians' concern). Skills needed by social scientists and librarians are…

Stresses the need for elementary and secondary school students (1) to learn sources which refer to needed information and (2) to "train the brain" to think through a problem logically. Statements from several leading librarians support this focus on research skills in education. (CLB)

Describes the characteristics of and relationship between academic libraries and campus computing centers, and presents reasons to support the argument that the two organizations will continue to have distinct, though closely related, identities. Several issues that universities will have to address to formulate a campus-wide information policy…

This study compared the performance of students using the printed and CD-ROM versions of ERIC. Four groups of undergraduates researched assigned topics using either CD-ROM with formal instruction, CD-ROM without instruction, the printed version with instruction, or the printed version without instruction. Data suggest that patrons can use CD-ROM…

Describes the Answer Machine, a microcomputer system which uses the EasyNet software to provide a gateway to more than 900 online databanks. Topics covered include: (1) system features; (2) costs; (3) experiences and results of a user questionnaire at a test site at the University of Pennsylvania; and (4) benefits for libraries. (MES)

A series of articles focuses on artificial intelligence research and development to enhance information systems and services. Topics discussed include knowledge base designs, expert system development tools, natural language processing, expert systems for reference services, and the role that artificial intelligence concepts should have in…

Describes a study that examined the information seeking behavior of undergraduate students in Nigeria. The factors examined include the main sources of references to the literature used by students, and the effects of class standing and intellectual disciplines on choices of reference sources. (8 references) (CLB)

The first of three articles describes fluctuations in subject searching on online catalogs over time; the second describes the level of agreement between a research library's use of subject headings and the Library of Congress subject headings; and the third discusses the advantages of incorporating Library of Congress subject headings into online…

Outlines the courses offered by the Department of Library and Information Studies at Manchester Polytechnic, and describes the use of a database management system to teach aspects of information science. Details of a number of specific applications are given and future developments are discussed. (CLB)

Describes an information retrieval system developed at Bell Laboratories to create and maintain a variety of different but interrelated databases, and to provide controlled access to these databases. The components discussed include the interfaces, indexing rules, display languages, response time, and updating procedures of the system. (6 notes…

This overview of state requirements for school library media certification discusses the use by some states of competency-based requirements and/or standardized tests, and the standards proposed in "Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs" (ALA, 1988). A table presents information on individual states and a directory of…

Analyzes computerized reference and information services with respect to problems in the areas of (1) communication barriers between the user and the information specialist; (2) local resources development; (3) external resources policy; (4) search strategy development; and (5) artificial intelligence. (24 references) (Author/MES)

Advocates the rights of early adolescents to (1) information they need on subjects such as AIDS, drugs, and reproduction; (2) information on topics they enjoy which may not be grounded in a school's curriculum; and (3) a sense of history. Seventeen recommended books are described in this context. (MES)

Discussion of efforts by federal, state, and local government agencies to enhance the library resources and services available to older citizens highlights the roles of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) and the Administration on Aging (AoA), cooperative agreements, and descriptions of state and local programs.…

A series of eight reports explore the use of bulletin boards in libraries to improve communication and create an atmosphere. Suggestions for organizing displays, adapting graphic designs, lettering, and other techniques are explained. A directory of selected sources for materials and display tips is provided. (CLB)