The purpose of this document is to highlight some of the difficulties associated with retrieving information on Iran using Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) and several other commonly used reference tools based on LCSH. Four subject areas concerning Iran are identified, and their treatment in LCSH and periodical indexes is analyzed. The…

The results of a questionnaire to determine art scholars' needs isolates areas in art bibliography and art librarianship that seem to be deficient. Specific bibliographic tools and an evaluation of art librarians are discussed. (12 references) (Author/DH)

Reviews the special requirements of a bibliographic database, and shows how they are met in the DOBIS-LIBIS (Dortmund Library System-Leuven Library System) system. Full authority file control over the indexes to the database is discussed, and the DOBIS-LIBIS system is described in detail. References are included. (Author/BK)

History, development, evaluation, and problems of computerized biomedical information systems, with emphasis on the National Library of Medicine and MEDLARS. (LS)

The use of online searching by reference librarians to provide actual answers and not just bibliographies or current awareness printouts has the potential to save time and money for the reference department. The quick reference service can actually promote rather than compete with the library's online search service for in depth subject searching.…

Describes principles underlying the development of guides for electronic indexes such as the Catholic Periodical and Literature Index (CPLI): begin with basic steps, keep it simple, answer questions most frequently asked, be consistent, emphasize search techniques that use the strengths of the index. Includes a copy of the guide for the CPLI on…

Describes how online searchers can use a software tool based on back-of-the-book indexes to assist in dealing with search engine databases compiled by spiders that crawl across the entire Internet or through large Web sites. Discusses human versus machine knowledge, conversion of indexes to mind maps or mini-thesauri, middleware, eXtensible Markup…

The main sections of the text treat philosophy, religion, visual arts, performing arts, and language and literature, using the following pattern for each of these five area: (1) trends, (2) accessing information, and (3) principal information sources. Background information about the history and development of the field is presented in each…

Examines online and printed equivalents of selected government documents indexes to compare the recall, precision, overlap, and cost effectiveness of online and manual searching. Indexes studied were the Monthly Catalog, CIS (Congressional Information Service) Index, and Government Reports Announcements and Index. (CLB)

Discusses the controversy over whether or not libraries should charge fees for online bibliographic services, reviews the evidence for imposing fees, for maintaining free services, and outlines the relevance of certain sections of the United States Code to decisions concerning the provision of information. Twenty-four references are included. (JL)

Argues that librarians should and can develop new electronic information products to meet their users' needs and describes the development of three such products at the Graduate School of Management Library at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)--the RATIOS file, the REF-LITE Project, and the expert system Who?Biz. (EA)

To introduce undergraduate students to the library and to familiarize them with the various indexing systems and reference materials, the University of Michigan has produced this workbook designed specifically for their library. The information and exercises included cover physical layout, the card catalog, the Library of Congress Classification…

Describes public library reference service which allows patrons to type out search instructions on a computer terminal, review and select references, and receive, by high-speed printer, facsimile copy of selected periodical articles. Development of periodicals center at main county library and use of self-coaching SEARCH HELPER system are…

Two approaches to informing engineering students of library resources are described. The first discusses the activities involved in presenting an overview of the library resources, and the second describes how to plan for student projects involving current topics of their choice. (SA)