Examines the characteristics of management information systems and their impact on decisions of senior library managers. The organizational feasibility of such systems is discussed in terms of four key components--economic, technical, structural, psychological--that are related to libraries in general and senior management decisions in particular.…

Summarizes four options for libraries that want to offer end user searching: end user systems (Bibliographic Retrieval Service's Afterdark, DIALOG's Knowledge Index); front-end microcomputer software (Sci-Mate Searcher, Pro-Search, WILSEARCH); gateway services (EASYNET); and local databases (now available on floppy and compact discs). Advantages…

Instructional objectives developed by Direct Patron Access to Computer-Based Reference Systems Committee, American Library Association, are designed to facilitate library instruction where online systems are used directly by patrons, and intended for librarians who are devising instructional programs for online systems in school, special, public,…

Describes how a librarian, assisted by a knowledge engineer, developed a computerized reference assistance system for a separate government documents department. Rationale for the expert system, problems in selecting reference materials and user questions to computerize, and the formulation of a workable human/computer interface are covered. A…

Proposes a framework for the design of a full function workstation for information retrieval based on study of information seeking behavior. A large amount of local storage of the CD-ROM jukebox variety and full networking capability to both local and external databases are identified as requirements of the prototype. (MES)

Describes the development of a computer program for a high school library that has the capability of printing out bibliographic citations by author, subject, title, accession number, comment, and format (book, audiovisual kit, computer program). Considerations and techniques involved in the design of the program and sample screens are included.…

Discussion of developments in information storage technology likely to have significant impact upon library utilization focuses on hardware (videodisc technology) and software developments (knowledge databases; computer networks; database management systems; interactive video, computer, and multimedia user interfaces). Three generic computer-based…

This report describes a three-stage catalog use study conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Stout from 1982 through 1986 to determine the types of searches conducted and search success rates for both the card and online catalogs during the library's transition to the DataPhase Automated Library Information System (ALIS). Phase I, conducted…

This composite report provides summaries of presentations by 10 experts at the 23rd Annual Clinic on Library Applications of Data Processing in April 1986 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. All were concerned with the design of online systems to make them easier for library patrons to use. (Author/CDD)

This book explains through descriptive narrative, illustrative examples, and practical suggestions how today's information specialists can navigate in the new "wired" organizations. The emphasis is on practical, useful, relevant advice. The following ten chapters are included: (1) "Communicating Online: The Heart of the Wired Organization"…

This document lists sources useful for academic reference and instruction librarians who are concerned with assisting and teaching novice or non-professional end-user searchers. The bibliography is organized in two lists: complete bibliographic citations and subject listing of references. The types of sources listed include journal articles,…

The papers in this proceedings consider ways in which user friendly interface design may be used to make online systems in public and academic libraries easier to use, and thus more attractive to potential users. A short introduction by F. W. Lancaster is followed by nine papers: (1) "Linking the Unlinkable" (Michael Gorman); (2)…

Computerized systems have dramatically altered the way that information can be organized, published, searched and retrieved. This paper: (1) examines the components of subject access in online systems; (2) identifies the potential for subject access enhancements, such as enriching the contents of the database and improving user-system interaction,…