Guide to the professional literature

Citation

(1998), "Guide to the professional literature", Asian Libraries, Vol. 7 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/al.1998.17307aae.001

Guide to the professional literature

Butterworth, Margaret (1997), 'Creativity, computers and change: education for the information society", Singapore Libraries, Vol. 26 No. 1,, pp. 60-7.

Examines changes in educational theory and practice occurring in Singapore and elsewhere. In many countries librarians are significant players in these changes. Butterworth queries whether Singapore schools will lag behind because the role of the teacher-librarian is underdeveloped.

Foo, Schubert (1997), "Next generation online library guides", Singapore Libraries, Vol. 26 No. 1, pp. 39-50.

Proposes features to develop the next generation of library guides on the Web. These features harness existing technology to improve presentation and information accuracy. Includes several examples of Asian library Web sites.

Fox, Edward A. et. al.(1997), "Networked digital library of theses and dissertations", D-Lib Magazine, September. (http://www.dlib.org/dlib/september97/theses/09fox.html)

Describes an undertaking to build a National Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD). Fox cites much interesting work and highlights some significant issues related to publishing information that until now has been uncompromisingly wedded to traditional publishing.

Hegener, Michiel (1997), "Internet unwire", On The Internet, Vol. 3 No. 5, September/October, pp. 23-31. http://www.iicd.org/articles/sep97/hegene10.htm

An overview of the state of Internet connectivity via satellite, which in many regions is the only available option. This offers a substantial review of technological developments at present, and the likely scenario in the near future.

Hildreth, Charles R. (1997), "The use and understanding of keyword searching in a university online catalog", Information Technology and Libraries, Vol. 16 No. 2, June, pp. 52-62.

Using statistical analysis of searches performed in a university library catalogue, Hildreth finds that users 'search more often by keyword than any other type of search, their keyword searches fail more often than not, and a majority of these users do not understand how the system processes their keyword searches'. He suggests two possible solutions to these problems: (1) educate the user, or (2) improve the design of catalogue systems. As the second is more practical and attainable, Hildreth states that "it is time to put end-user Boolean retrieval systems...behind us" and points to probabalistic retrieval theory and hypertextual systems as providing sources for improvements.

Hobohm, Hans-Christoph (1997), "Changing the galaxy: on the transformation of a printed journal to the Internet", First Monday, Vol. 2 No. 11, 3 November. http://www.firstmonday.dk/issues/issue2_11/hobohm/

Explores a journal's experience with publishing a Web-based edition. The journal, INSPEL, is published by IFLA. Hobohm presents a concrete example of the dilemmas facing journal publishers in cyberspace. He addresses a number of questions that publishers will find important: How should markets be segmented? Should access be limited to certain audiences? How should pricing be handled?

Powell, Thomas A. (1997), "Extend the Web: an XML primer", Internet Week, Vol. 691, 24 November, pp. 47-9.

A useful primer for anyone involved in authoring, managing or delivering Web-based content. Powell offers an in-depth look at the emerging XML standard, covering history and background, related URLs for more information and examples of how XML actually works, including existing tools and plans for tools to implement XML.

Smith, Alastair G. (1997), "Testing the surf: criteria for evaluating Internet information resources", The Public-Access Computer Systems Review, Vol. 8 No. 3. http://info.lib.uh.edu/pr/v8/n3/smit8n3.html

Distills the essential criteria for evaluation of Internet information resources. Smith first considers evaluation criteria for print materials and reviews previous articles on Internet resource evaluation. The core is a "toolbox" of evaluation criteria covering the broad areas of scope, content, graphic and multimedia design, purpose and audience, reviews, workability and cost. Smith then examines Internet evaluation sites to determine which of his criteria they employ.

Vijayan, N. (1997), "Reference service within Singapore: a delphi study", Singapore Libraries, Vol. 26 No. 1, pp. 99-110.

A study was conducted to ascertain likely future developments in reference services in Singapore's academic libraries. This paper looks at the top 10 suggestions resulting from a Delphi study and makes comparisons with a study carried out in the Netherlands.

Wehmeyer, Lillian B. (1997), "Evaluating Internet research", Syllabus, Vol. 11No. 2, September, pp. 46-50.

Focuses on how to evaluate the quality of Internet-based resources, based on the established criteria for evaluating print resources. Wehmeyer indicates both print and electronic resources that can be used for evaluation and provides URLs for the latter.

(1997), "Z39.50: Part 1 ­ an overview", Biblio Tech Review, October, http://www.biblio-tech.com/html/z39.50.html

Introduces the jargon and content of Z39.50 in simple, straightforward language. It serves as a useful primer for those who need to keep abreast of this field.

Zamparelli, Roberto (1997), "Copyright and global libraries: going with the flow of technology", First Monday, Vol. 2 No. 11, 3 November. http://www.firstmonday.dk/issues/issue2_11/zamparelli/

Argues that a single, relatively expensive access fee should open the gateway to a "global library" with unlimited downloading privileges. This system would have built-in incentives for profit-sharing by authors, new modes of advertising, and an array of user benefits. At the centre of the argument is a belief that "policing" cyberspace in relation to copyright abuse may be too labour-intensive and might in fact chill discourse; instead, we should build incentives that reward compliance.