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This study aims to provide a system capable of static searching on a large number of unstructured texts directly on the Web domain while keeping costs to a minimum. The proposed framework is applied to the unstructured texts of Migne’s Patrologia Graeca (PG) collection, setting PG as an implementation example of the method.

The unstructured texts of PG have automatically transformed to a read-only not only Structured Query Language (NoSQL) database with a structure identical to that of a representational state transfer access point interface. The transformation makes it possible to execute queries and retrieve ranked results based on a specialized application of the extended Boolean model.

Using a specifically built Web-browser-based search tool, the user can quickly locate ranked relevant fragments of texts with the ability to navigate back and forth. The user can search using the initial part of words and by ignoring the diacritics of the Greek language. The performance of the search system is comparatively examined when different versions of hypertext transfer protocol (Http) are used for various network latencies and different modes of network connections. Queries using Http-2 have by far the best performance, compared to any of Http-1.1 modes.

The system is not limited to the case study of PG and has a generic application in the field of humanities. The expandability of the system in terms of semantic enrichment is feasible by taking into account synonyms and topics if they are available. The system’s main advantage is that it is totally static which implies important features such as simplicity, efficiency, fast response, portability, security and scalability.

This paper aims to present a methodology for the semantic enrichment on the scanned collection of Migne’s Patrologia Graeca (PG), attempting to easily locate on the Web domain the scanned PG source, when a reference of this source is described and commented on another scanned or textual document, and to semantically enrich PG through related scanned or textual documents named “satellite texts” published by third people. The present enrichment of PG uses as satellite texts the Dorotheos Scholarios's Synoptic Index (DSSI) which act as metadata for PG.

The methodology consists of two parts. The first part addresses the DSSI transcription via a proper web tool. The second part is divided into two subsections: the accomplishment of interlinking the printed column numbers of each scanned PG page with its actual filename, which is the build of a matching function, and the build of a web interface for PG, based on the generated Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) of the above first subsection.

The result of the implemented methodology is a Web portal, capable of providing server-less search of topics with direct (single click) navigation to sources. The produced system is static, scalable, easy to be managed and requires minimal cost to be completed and maintained. The produced data sets of transcribed DSSI and the JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) matching functions are available for personal use of students and scholars under Creative Commons license (CC-BY-NC-SA).

Scholars or anyone interested in a particular subject can easily locate topics in PG and reference them, using URIs that are easy to remember. This fact contributes significantly to the related scientific dialogue.

The methodology uses the transcribed satellite texts of DSSI, which act as metadata for PG, to semantically enrich PG collection. Furthermore, the built PG Web interface can be used by other satellite texts as a reference basis to further enrich PG, as it provides a direct identification of sources. The presented methodology is general and can be applied to any scanned collection using its own satellite texts.

Over the past decades scientific advances have inspired major technological innovations in academic libraries. Academic libraries have transformed into information centers of new quality, becoming thus an integral part of an academic institution's teaching and research curriculum. Assessing a library's functions and services has become an imperative need. The scope of this study, therefore, is to define a theoretical model for the combination of all individual assessment indicators into one single number‐indicator.

The Monte Carlo technique is suggested in order to deal with the problems of the objectivity expert's decision and the collection of a large number of indicators. The methodology used is articulated into four stages: the normalization of single values; the setting of the indicator weighting according to the expert's opinion; the construction of a well‐fitted neural network; and the training and testing procedure of the neural network.

The proposed method solves problems related to the normalization of measured data linked with significant relevant properties of the library services evaluation.

The practice of using a neural network in evaluating library services as introduced by this paper is characterized as novel.

The global recession which began in 2008 affected the entire world including the European economy, with some countries being influenced more than others. At the end of 2012 the Greek economy was encountering a fourth consecutive year of deep recession while pressures to cut expenses in all sectors were still growing and making headline news. Academic libraries, which are dependent upon state funding, were experiencing the consequences of constant and deep budget cutbacks during that period. After a review the literature on the impact of the economic crisis on academic libraries in Greece, as well as at the international level, this chapter describes the results of a survey of Greek higher education academic libraries about the consequences of the devastatingly harsh economic environment in which they currently, and probably will continue to, exist. A survey was conducted online with 25 out of the 37 academic library directors in Greece. After analyzing the survey results, the authors describe strategies to sustain services and resources and propose strategies to adjust to a new fiscal reality. These strategies include synergies and alliances that academic libraries can achieve with various agencies within their educational institutions and/or externally. While the results are limited to a small number of academic libraries in one European country, all types of libraries can utilize the strategies outlined in this chapter.

The purpose of this paper is to examine information seeking behaviour targeted to music information seeking by amateur musicians, accompanied with empirical evidence from a survey on a community concert band. While several studies in the literature have examined information seeking in the context of hedonic motives (e.g. entertainment oriented), music information can also be used for utilitarian purposes by providing amateur musicians the necessary tools to improve their skill and become better in their practice.

A review of the literature on music information seeking and an empirical study on members of an amateur concert band are presented. The theoretical construct of the survey is informed by Wilsons’ macro model of information seeking behaviour. This is employed in order to understand information motives and needs, as well as obstacles in information seeking of musicians.

Musicians seek information not only for entertainment but for educational purposes as well as for the acquisition of certain music works. The use of the internet for information seeking as well as the gradual adoption of online social networks has provided access to new musical resources within the digital music networks.

A person-centred approach for information seeking behaviour is studied and adapted for musicians. The survey provides new information behaviour results for designers of music information spaces which in turn are creating a new model of the relationship between music and society.

The response to the call for chapters about mergers, acquisitions, collaborations, partnerships, and joint ventures proved to be rich and resulted in an unprecedented number of proposals. Furthermore, the range of proposals illustrated both variety in scope and a broad range of topics. As a result, the material accepted for publication was split into two volumes. This volume includes those chapters deemed broadest in nature, while Volume 37, to be published later this year, will present material of a narrower and more focused nature and mostly in the form of case studies at the operational level. At a time when the volatile nature of the world economy calls for new approaches to business, these volumes provide an interesting panorama from the nonprofit sector of libraries and information services about the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A’s) as well as the less riskier, but equally dramatic, activities of collaborations, partnerships, and joint ventures.