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Just a short review and list of featured articles this week, as this topic was reviewed in recent weeks. (See the index for related reviews). The focus this week is on Information Management and the changing roles of libraries in Asia in providing information services. Just as a reminder, you should note the Volume and Issue Number of the articles you are interested in before entering the database, as there is no search facility for the Journals of the Week - only browse facilities issue by issue are provided for the free download.
Networking of CD-ROMs Discusses CD-ROM as a provider of multiple, simultaneous and remote access to a large amount of information such as abstracts, full text, directories, education materials, music, etc. Presents a number of options that are available to increase access to a CD-ROM collection and commonly used CD-ROM networks under LANs, viz., peer-to-peer, file servers, client/server and optical servers. Also discusses selection of hardware and software for successful networking. Concludes that careful study of the pros and cons of establishing a CD-ROM network has to be weighed in terms of cost and usage.
Keywords: CD-ROM, Networking
Information drought in research: an Indian perspective The journal subscription data of the Central Library (CL) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur during 1995-97 is analysed to assess the prevalent information drought experienced by researchers in less developed countries. The rationale of the study, some of the myths about electronic alternatives over print media, etc. are explained. A study conducted in 1995 at the CL by gathering subscription details from other IITs to explore the options of resource sharing is extracted to present the duplication rates of costly journals. Quantification of research publications from the IIT, Kaharagpur and India are also attempted using electronic databases like CCOD and INSPEC. The budgeting pattern of CL is presented from the IIT's Annual Report. Some possible suggestions to get over the information drought are also explored.
Keywords: Libraries, Resources, Journal publishing, India, Research
Co-operation and networking in library and information systems of advanced countries: a framework for countries with less developed systems Co-operation and networking in library and information systems provide a wider access to collections, improve public and technical services and enhance operations by sharing resources, reducing duplication and offering more cost-effective services. These systems are frequently applied in developed countries. These countries are getting maximum benefits from these systems, for example, expanding their services, providing better user satisfaction and solving their problems. These systems are less used in LIS of developing countries. The need for the establishment of such systems is evidenced. The experience of countries with developed systems can be instructive in social, professional, technological and economic terms. Raising awareness for the potential use of these systems, giving broader roles to organisations, developing communication infrastructure and maximising the use of technologies are key components for the establishment of co-operation and networking in library and information systems of developing countries.
Keywords: Co-operation, Information services, Networking, Developing countries
Knowledgeability and democracy in an information age Critically examines claims for the use of information and communication technologies for the easy availability of information and so for the improvement of citizen participation in democratic processes. Examines the quality as opposed to the quantity of information available and discusses the nature of the information infrastructure as envisioned in the New Library: The People's Network report against the historical reality of the failure of established systems to fulfill their potential and the characteristics of the present information environment. Considers attacks on the established public library system and discusses the nature of official information as embodied in official statistics. Examines the commercialisation of broadcasting, the decline of public service broadcasting and the failure of radio and television to develop in private hands into vehicles for mass education, concluding that where quality of content is paramount for information purposes over techniques of presentation, the claims for technological solutions for the information age are overstated.
Keywords: Information technology, Information systems, Communication technology, Education, Democracy, United Kingdom
Resource sharing among agricultural libraries in Malaysia Investigates resource sharing activities undertaken by agricultural libraries in Malaysia. It was found that resource sharing was basically limited to interlibrary lending and document delivery activities. On the average, each scientist from the participating research institutions made 1.25 document delivery and interlibrary loan requests per annum. Nearly 74 percent of these requests were met from local libraries. The participating libraries preferred to make their overseas document delivery requests to the BLDSC. Only a limited resource sharing activity was observed between the participating libraries and libraries in the ASEAN region. Heads of the participating libraries were in favour of a "loose" resource sharing scheme where it should be at their discretion to decide with whom to share their resources and at what level. The study offers several suggestions for improving resource sharing activities among agricultural libraries in Malaysia.
Keywords: Interlending, Document supply, Special libraries, Co-operation, Malaysia
From main entry to work authority record: development of a cataloguing fundamental Explores the confusion between main entry and main entry heading and attempts to finally lay the ghost to rest by shifting the emphasis onto the problem of work authority - the problem with which the theory of main entry is actually concerned. Concentrating on the second function of the catalogue as defined in the "Paris principles" of 1961, the paper examines various contributions on main entry including those delivered at the Toronto conference on AACR in 1997. Proposes the establishment of a global work authority file in which each individual work is primarily identified by a modified version of the uniform title, a departure which would restore the title (as opposed to the author) as principal identifier of the work.
Keywords: Cataloguing
Supporting open and distance learners: practice and policy across further and higher education libraries This paper reviews provision for open and distance learners across further and higher education libraries in the UK, focusing in particular on developments in Scotland. After offering a critical review of the literature which pays particular attention to international examples of best practice, the paper reports on the findings of a questionnaire survey conducted among all Scottish FE and HE libraries and selected English institutions and on a short programme of structured interviews conducted with HE librarians working at universities within the Glasgow area. Evidence from the review of literature, the questionnaire survey and the programme of interviews is drawn together and analysed in order to indicate the key areas which have to be addressed by libraries in institutions which are aspiring to offer open and distance learning education.
Keywords: Distance learning, Open learning, Library services, University libraries, Education, Library
users
Seriality: it's not just for serials any more The challenges to traditional cataloguing posed by electronic publishing, in particular, serials publishing, are described. The revision of the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd ed. rev. to accommodate these changes and to better reflect seriality is discussed in terms of various recommendations that will be included in a report to the Joint Steering Committee for Revision of AACR and available for worldwide review.
Keywords: Cataloguing, Databases, Electronic publishing, Serials
Defining some criteria for the success of automated library systems Success and effectiveness in automated library systems are two related issues that all users are normally looking for when buying or designing a new system. On the basis of the available literature and opinions of automated library systems experts, 26 factors were identified as criteria for the success of automated library systems. Attitudes to these criteria of Australian university librarians and systems managers were examined in a survey conducted in 1993; 23 of these criteria were approved by the survey sample, and the other three were rejected. These criteria should be tested with other groups of experts in library automation to gain more generalisation on the findings.
Keywords: Automation, Electronic data interchange, Libraries, Library services
Delivery of Medline over the Internet with full text electronic journals: regional and local implementation issues Discusses the introduction of the Medline database, delivered over the Internet with full-text electronic journals, to a National Health Service region, and the role of librarians in the process. Examines regional and local implementation issues which emerged. Draws conclusions for those considering a similar initiative.
Keywords: Electronic publishing, Internet, Journal publishing, NHS, Special libraries, United
Kingdom
As always we have only skimmed the surface of relevant articles this week and only those that are particularly relevant for Asia-Pacific managers. Many other articles are available as well including those focusing on other countries and international perspectives.
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