This document contains validated activities and competencies needed by information professionals working in a library system supplier organization. The activities and competencies are organized according to the functions which information professionals working in such organizations perform: research and development; marketing; customer support;…

The second of two articles discusses topics relating to the development of CD-ROM technology: (1) new applications; (2) the image of what CD-ROM will become; (3) the properties of information, including timeliness, risk, and the relationship between message and medium; and (4) growth issues such as production, pricing, and user training and…

Reviews the 1986 literature on research in the areas of cataloging, subject access, user interface, and administration. The majority of papers selected for inclusion are descriptive studies (surveys using questionnaires or interviews) or case studies of one of more libraries. Thirty-eight references are listed. (MES)

Erroneous belief that library users are increasingly experiencing information overload is a result of confusion between concepts of information explosion and information overload, and misinterpretation of implications of research findings. Suggested ways that users can prevent overload include limiting, selecting, and delegating information;…

Discusses the need of developing countries to set up local databases and exchange information; outlines Unesco General Information Programme's role in this context; describes a specific Unesco program to help member states acquire and use microcomputer software; reviews criteria for software selection; and describes the program's implementation…

Surveys the historical development of automated technical processing in schools and notes the impact of this automation in a number of cases. Speculations about the future involvement of school libraries in automated processing and networking are included. Thirty references are listed. (BBM)

Describes the functions and characteristics of the microcomputer and discusses library applications including cataloging, circulation, acquisitions, serials control, reference and database systems, administration, current and future trends, and computers as media. Twenty references are listed. (CHC)

Reviews the literature that examines new capabilities and new problems associated with online catalogs, online searching of bibliographic databases, indexing, full text retrieval, and expert systems. The need for research that focuses on individual needs and that adopts an integrated approach which views indexing and retrieval as interrelated…

Examines current research on the implications of and the potential for two speech technologies: speech synthesis or response, i.e., speech output from a computer; and speech recognition, i.e., speech input to a computer. Human factors research is discussed; library applications are described; and future possibilities are considered. (Contains 148…

Summarizes 16 research reports related to school library media that were located through "Library Literature." Information in the summaries includes purpose of the study, the population that was studied, the methodology used in conducting the study and analyzing the data, and findings. Prominent topics include collections, censorship,…

Reviews the literature published in 1990 that deals with descriptive cataloging. Topics discussed include the theory and general practice of cataloging; materials in special forms, including serials, conference proceedings, cartographic materials, sound recordings, computer files, and microforms; the impact of automation; authority control;…

This study focuses on the growth of the library automation market from 1981 to 1990. It draws on library automation data published annually in the Library Journal between 1981 and 1990. The data are used to examine: (1) the overall library system market trends based on the total and cumulative number of systems installed and revenue generated; (2)…

Research analyzing users' reactions to the implementation of automation and computer technology in the industrial and business fields indicates that users will respond more positively to these new technologies if they are adequately trained beforehand. To measure response in the academic sector, users' reactions to the local area network (LAN) in…

The Processing Services department of the Library of Congress initiated a project to learn about expert systems technology and to examine potential applications of expert systems to functions in their department, e.g., acquisitions, cataloging, and serials control. (An expert system is defined as an artificial intelligence computer program which…

Suggests that instructional technology theory and practice can be introduced into public schools through the school library media center. The changing role of the school library media specialist resulting from computerized library systems is reviewed, the media specialist as change agent is described, and information literacy is discussed. (15…