Planningof any kind can be motivated by a pressing practical problem which has to be solved—for example, an increasing number of people may have to be housed in the same area; or…
Abstract
Planningof any kind can be motivated by a pressing practical problem which has to be solved—for example, an increasing number of people may have to be housed in the same area; or by a long‐term idealistic vision; or by both (the idealist seeing the long‐term implications of an immediate problem). In short‐term planning, the danger exists that the more technical problems may be solved, without attention to their implications for human beings; to take my housing example, higher and higher flats may be built, without considering the possible effects (e.g. the effect on social groupings). In long‐term planning, Utopian or ideological blueprints may be produced.
Mant aeons away, O Best Beloved, there was a large, dank, dim cave inhabited by a tribe of large, fierce, hairy Guardians. They wore dark robes that did not show the dirt; they…
Abstract
Mant aeons away, O Best Beloved, there was a large, dank, dim cave inhabited by a tribe of large, fierce, hairy Guardians. They wore dark robes that did not show the dirt; they never bathed, they never shaved. They were too busy guarding their sacred Treasures from the periodic raids of the Bandar‐Log—strange chattering simian creatures who dwelt in the shattered red brick Georgian ruins of something they called ‘durms’. From time to time one of these little anthropoids would steal past the Guardians into the back of the Cave and try to make away with one of the Treasures clutched in a prehensile paw. Needless to say, they were severely beaten as a lesson to their fellows. The best time for raiding was during the fifteen‐minute intervals, at ten in the morning and three in the afternoon, when the Guardians would sit down, grasp a mug of hot water and stare at the wall. The ritual was thought to have a religious significance—only the name survives, ‘kafe‐brick’.
The search for an easily installed, practicable and inexpensive information retrieval system continues unabated. This is reflected in the Aslib Library almost daily by requests…
Abstract
The search for an easily installed, practicable and inexpensive information retrieval system continues unabated. This is reflected in the Aslib Library almost daily by requests for advice on the feasibility of installing this or that system, or for information on what systems are available in Great Britain. Study of the following bibliography, which covers only a narrow selection of information retrieval systems, will reveal that much original thought has been producing concrete results in this country. In fact, one of the earliest references is to a paper given at the twenty‐second Aslib Conference in 1947 by W. E. Batten, in which he describes his development of an ‘aspect’ card system—more often referred to today as ‘Peek‐a‐boo’ or ‘feature’ cards. Mr C. W. Cleverdon's Cranfield project is also adding considerable knowledge on the use of various indexing methods, including Uniterm.
All items listed may be borrowed from the Aslib Library, except those marked, which may be consulted in the Library.
A possibly novel application for microfiche is its use as the primary publication form for conference preprints. This concept is discussed with particular reference to its…
Abstract
A possibly novel application for microfiche is its use as the primary publication form for conference preprints. This concept is discussed with particular reference to its application at the Rotary‐wing aircraft symposium organized by the Institution of Engineers, Australia and Royal Aeronautical Society and held in Melbourne, Australia, 24th September 1973. A questionnaire seeking to ascertain user reaction to the microfiche preprints was circulated to 119 people who attended the symposium and/or received copies of the preprints. The responses to this questionnaire have been analysed and user acceptability of microfiche preprints of postprints has been investigated in relation to timeliness, accessibility of a microfiche reader/printer, prior awareness and use of microfiche, cost, and the effect of form on preprint reading habits.
All items listed may be borrowed from the Aslib Library, except those marked, which may be consulted in the Library.
This survey is not comprehensive. It is highly selective and intended to keep the reader informed of significant new ideas and developments. All unsigned abstracts are prepared by…
Abstract
This survey is not comprehensive. It is highly selective and intended to keep the reader informed of significant new ideas and developments. All unsigned abstracts are prepared by members of Aslib's staff. We should be grateful to any reader who would notify us of worth‐while articles in the field of documentation from unlikely sources.
This paper represents a brief survey of automation in relation to its existing or probable applications in the spheres of libraries and information work.
For the first time since 1938 one of the periodic unrestricted conferences of the FID was held in England. It took place in London, at the Caxton Hall, from 6th to 16th September…
Abstract
For the first time since 1938 one of the periodic unrestricted conferences of the FID was held in England. It took place in London, at the Caxton Hall, from 6th to 16th September 1961, and was attended by over five hundred delegates coming from thirty‐eight countries and from all five continents. A strong contingent came from the United Kingdom and, of these, as might be expected, many were members of Aslib. Moreover, Aslib, as the British representative body in the Federation, was responsible for the arrangements.
For the first time since this series of annual reviews of the literature of special librarianship and information work began, the authorship has changed hands. It is fitting to…
Abstract
For the first time since this series of annual reviews of the literature of special librarianship and information work began, the authorship has changed hands. It is fitting to pay tribute to the skill with which Mr J. Bird has compiled this review each year and to express the hope that the same standards of selectivity and pragmatic appraisal set by Mr Bird will be maintained. The aim of the survey remains unchanged: to bring to the notice of librarians, particularly those in the smaller organizations, the more significant and practically useful books, pamphlets, and articles which appeared during the past year, or, more strictly, were received in the Aslib library during the past year. Experience of the types of inquiry most frequently received in the Aslib library has been particularly useful in determining the type of publication that could most profitably be included. As has been stressed in previous years, the survey is not intended to be used as a bibliographical tool, since this purpose is adequately served by other existing services, but rather as a guide to current reading.