Showing papers on "Services computing published in 1979"

Computers in the human services

Abstract: This article examines trends in both computer technology and human services that are encouraging the increasing convergence of these two fields and discusses more advanced uses of computers in mental health centers and public assistance agencies. The authors also present implications for human service professionals and for education and further reserach on the subject.

Emerging Patterns of Community Service

Abstract: LIKEALL PROFESSIONS, librarianship has made itself up as it has gone along, a product of its unique functions, its clientele, the social context, the available technology and resources, and the creative imagination of its leadership. The historical growth of patterns of library services document well the introduction of new, evolutionary service concepts. Samuel Swett Green’s famous paper of a hundred years ago on the desirableness of “personal intercourse between librarians and readers”1 is the classic monument to the evolutionary style, where the simple, camel’s-nose insight opened the way to forms of librarianship that have taken over the tent. Samuel Rothstein’s record of the development of reference services (1955) and this author’s similar tracing of the evolution of adult services (1963) document scores of instances of emerging patterns of service. These historical reviews provided a perspective that allowed the service functions to emerge into clear view. Rothstein identified information, guidance and instruction as the basic functions of reference service, and this author added stimulation as the fourth function of adult services. These broad functions provide the basic palette from which the library practitioner draws the colors that structure each unique pattern of community service. Rothstein traced a basic continuity in the evolution of reference services from reference as a collection of materials available to users, to reference as the librarian’s provision of authenticated information reviewed and selected to meet the user’s specific need. Within the long

New use for computers in the user services environment

Abstract: The challenge of providing computer services in a network environment is very complex, much more complex than in the more common local environment. In the network environment customers cannot be relied upon to help each other. Normal communication tools are not as effective and new ways to do business are needed. For example, the people services consulting, formal training, hotline telephone communications are harder to provide and less effective in a remote environment. Written materials are more difficult to distribute and targeting the audience is more difficult.

Relationship of innovative services to a family of urban transportation services

Abstract: A mixture of different transportation services and providers are required to serve the varied markets and needs in an urban area. Innovative services such as ride sharing and demand-responsive transportation provide new opportunities to serve markets that are currently not served by more traditional services. Communities such as Westport, Connecticut, have demonstrated that these services can be combined in a complementary fashion, so that the different services reinforce, rather than complete with, one another. By offering a range of services provided by different suppliers, a unique system has been created that has had a significant impact on the community. Westport shows what can be achieved by a single community, and the lessons of this and other communities with the family-of-services concept must be diffused on a much broader basis. To achieve this, changes are required on a local and federal level. These changes require an increased awareness of available options and approaches, incentives to adapt these options and approaches where appropriate, and new institutional arrangements to accommodate the changes. An increased emphasis on service implementation and coordination is required, and different relations between planning and operations are appropriate.

Modern communication services

Abstract: The authors review current services and envisage what new services could evolve from the existing networks. Aspects covered include new services in existing telephone and data networks, telecopy services, teletex, electronic mail, viewdata, value-added data networks, mobile radio, integrated service digital network, picturephone and video conference, new services in radio broadcasting networks

The impact of online services on the library world.

Abstract: Since 1969, when I first worked at Ohio State University and began using the SUNY system, probably the first publicly available online bibliographic searching system in the world, I have been part of the online revolution a revolution that has changed the direction of library and information science. However, because changes in the concept of online searching have come about so rapidly, I have not had much of an opportunity until now to take the time to review what has happened in the last 10 years. In the preparation of this paper, I have had to review the literature, talk with other information managers and search intermediaries, and come to a better understanding of what online services are all about. I’d like to share some of my new understanding with you.