Showing papers in "Vine in 1985"
TL;DR: This article is a continuation and expansion of, which reported on an early stage of “Microcomputer networking in libraries”, a project funded by the British Library Research and Development Department and the Department of Trade and Industry.
Abstract: This article is a continuation and expansion of, which reported on an early stage of “Microcomputer networking in libraries”, a project funded by the British Library Research and Development Department and the Department of Trade and Industry. The work was carried out at the Polytechnic of Central London (PCL) by Mitev, Venner and Walker; its main aim was to construct a prototype online public access catalogue (OPAC) using local area network (LAN) hardware. The hardware was a Nestar PLAN 4000 network, using Apple IIe microcomputers as work stations and a 137 megabyte Winchester disc controlled by a 68000‐based file server.
4 citations
TL;DR: Although it has been around for many years electronic mail has grown in public awareness over the last few months to a point where one could get the impression that the whole business world is spending its time sending messages to itself.
Abstract: Although it has been around for many years electronic mail (e‐mail) has grown in public awareness over the last few months to a point where one could get the impression that the whole business world is spending its time sending messages to itself. A number of factors have combined to create this heightened awareness.
2 citations
TL;DR: In Hillingdon it was decided in January 1982 to proceed with the automation of all major library applications as a co‐ordinated project and using a stand‐alone integrated, online system.
Abstract: In Hillingdon it was decided in January 1982 to proceed with the automation of all major library applications (circulation, local information, catalogue and acquisitions) as a co‐ordinated project and using a stand‐alone integrated, online system
2 citations
TL;DR: A Hewlett Packard 2645A terminal was adapted to provide a ‘self‐help’ facility giving information on basic library services, under the auspices of a British Library project investigating the potential role of intelligent terminals in libraries.
Abstract: Information Technology and its use in reader education has been of continual interest to Stirling University Library. In 1978, under the auspices of a British Library project investigating the potential role of intelligent terminals in libraries, we adapted a Hewlett Packard 2645A terminal to provide a ‘self‐help’ facility giving information on basic library services.
1 citations
TL;DR: The catalogue could reflect the actual stock rather poorly as mentioned in this paper, and this discrepancy will become increasingly acute and will reduce readers' and staff members' confidence in the catalogue as a location tool.
Abstract: We all like to believe that our library catalogues are an authoritative record of our library stocks. But how confident are we that this is the case? Losses, in particular, are liable to mean that the catalogue could reflect our actual stock rather poorly. Unless action is taken, this discrepancy will become increasingly acute and will reduce readers' and staff members' confidence in the catalogue as a location tool.
1 citations
TL;DR: The Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) from Birmingham Polytechnic was installed in the main library at Perry Barr in 1985, and has been in use throughout the summer term as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The new Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) from BLCMP was installed in our main library at Perry Barr in April 1985, and has been in use throughout the summer term. As Birmingham Polytechnic already uses BLCMP online systems for cataloguing, acquisitions and ordering, as well as for circulation control, we were very pleased to be the first library to complete the system by offering online catalogue facilities direct to our library users.
1 citations
TL;DR: Great co‐ordination is being achieved since ‘the cuts and automation’ is seen as an instrument for further beneficial rationalization and co‐operation in improved services.
Abstract: Edinburgh University Library is a classic example of distributed data, distributed processing, and distributed service, until 1982 all in manual form It is dispersed, with the University, over several square miles in the centre and south of the city The Main Library in George Square houses the central administration, the Arts and Social Sciences collections, the main Undergraduate Reading Room, the Special Collections, the Map collection, the main Reference and Statistical Reference collection, other archives, collections, and special processing and service units such as the Bindery and the Photographic Department There are also major collections in New College Theological Library, the Medical Libraries, the Science Libraries on the Kings Buildings campus, the Law and Centre for European Government libraries, the Music library and the Veterinary libraries All of these are professionally staffed, and professional library work (selection, acquisition, cataloguing and classification, reader services etc) is carried out there Greater co‐ordination is being achieved since ‘the cuts and automation’ is seen as an instrument for further beneficial rationalization and co‐operation in improved services There are also numerous class and departmental libraries of varying size, some of which the University Library controls and supports, some of which it merely advises and helps as best it can Altogether the stock is thought to comprise between one and a half million and two million items, but this includes approximately half a million un‐catalogued items in Special Collections and New College
1 citations
TL;DR: A way in which information gathered for this purpose may be exploited to greater advantage is suggested.
Abstract: A recurrent problem in library administration is that libraries do not expand evenly. In a small library (of, say, less than 100,000 volumes) the daily reports of staff responsible for shelving are probably sufficient to inform the librarian of the progress of expansion. Such reports are valuable in all libraries; but in larger libraries it is difficult to obtain from these reports alone a clear view of the general pattern of shelf occupancy. The larger the library, the more important it becomes to assess ad hoc reports on tactical shelving difficulties in the context of a broader strategy. To this end many libraries prepare annually systematic tabulations of available capacity and occupied shelf space. This paper suggests a way in which information gathered for this purpose may be exploited to greater advantage.
1 citations
TL;DR: The London Borough of Ealing Public Library Service installed a DS Module 4 system in summer 1984; by January 1985 all twelve branches and the Bibliographic Services Department were on‐line.
Abstract: The London Borough of Ealing Public Library Service installed a DS Module 4 system in summer 1984; by January 1985 all twelve branches and the Bibliographic Services Department were on‐line. This paper describes our experience of the Module 4 system to date, from initial choice to current performance.
1 citations