Search results

I saw a job ad the other day for a university librarian. The university was seeking ‘an innovative, service‐oriented librarian to assist with planning and developing service, information, and staffing infrastructures for the library in preparation for the 21st century.’ Now, here's a library that thinks ahead…except for the fact that the 21st century is only eight years away. So maybe they're not thinking all that far ahead. Maybe, just maybe, all information jobs should be filled ‘in preparation for the 21st century.’

Limitations of traditional Boolean searching are claimed to be overcome by two alternative search systems: DR‐LINK, a linguistic search system, and TARGET, a relevance ranking system. This paper compares the system and search features of both and describes conceptual differences in system design. A series of test questions was developed to test the retrieval effectiveness of both search systems. A controlled dataset was used to measure the results. System features are compared and discussed. Relevance overlap and search capabilities are evaluated and results are presented.

In the Spring 1992 issue of Reference Services Review, Douglas Ernest, Joan Beam, and Jennifer Monath noted that “Telephone directories have been an integral part of most public and academic libraries for nearly a century. Telephone directories represent an anomaly among library collections; known to virtually all users, they nevertheless often go unrecognized when librarians discuss reference sources.” After the break‐up of the AT&T telephone monopoly in 1984, the process of acquiring telephone directories became more difficult and expensive. Seven regional holding companies, called the “Baby Bells,” were created to provide competition for the equipment and services that were once dominated by “Ma Bell.” The regional Bell companies began to charge each other for directories; as a result, the regional telephone companies had to pass on the expense to customers. It is still common for a regional Bell to provide libraries with directories of in‐state white pages, but to charge for areas outside the state, separate yellow pages within the state, and independently published telephone directories. Telephone directories, once provided free of charge to libraries to reduce the workload of operators, are now in competition with the fee‐based service of directory assistance.

The paper aims to give a synopsis of proceedings at the Internet Librarian International Conference held at the Olympia Conference Centre, London from 15 to 16 October 2013 from a participant's viewpoint.

The narrative method of describing events as they occurred was used.

The conference provided participants with a wide array of information that spanned the three tracks the sub-themes of the conference were divided into. Participants had opportunities to network and find out more about the products the sponsors showcased as well.

The report tells what transpired at the conference and exposes new technologies, new resources and innovative ways of using the technologies available to librarians and other information professionals.

An overview is provided of the global electronic access changes currently impacting upon library operations. The consequences for library structure and operating environments are outlined, with particular reference to developments at the Australian National University.

This paper discusses the importance of marketing in an in‐house library and focuses in particular on the importance of continuing promotion. The paper suggests forms of promotion which may be appropriate. There are also suggestions for saving on the costs of promotion and on dealing with the problems caused by increased usage of the library/information service as a result of a successful promotion.

EasyNet is an American‐based, menu‐driven information retrieval system which links untrained users to over 800 databases from nearly twenty online service vendors. The system has recently become available in Europe. Following a discussion of the confusion surrounding such gateway and front end systems, the EasyNet system is briefly explained and the methodology of a trial set up in Denmark during June 1986 to test EasyNet is described. The results of the test and an evaluation of end‐users' comments on EasyNet are discussed in terms of user‐friendliness, user satisfaction, user problems and value for money aspects. A number of general observations are also made.

This update concerns various recent developments which make it much more affordable and easier than before to access digital audio and video. Typically all that you require are a standard modem, an Internet connection and low‐cost or even free‐of‐charge software.