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A vast, uncontrolled mass of data is now available on the Internet. These data pose specific problems for librarians, and in particular for cataloguers. In addition to problems of size, presence, quality and stability of the information now available electronically, the British Library has concerns peculiar to a national archive. The Electronic Media Group (EMG) within the Cataloguing department at the British Library has been addressing some of these issues while investigating the cataloguing of works in new forms. Outlines some of the problems addressed and gives brief overviews of similar work and experiments discovered by the EMG as being conducted by other cataloguers and information scientists in this field.

Notes that major brewers and some regional operators are now replacing traditional tenancy agreements with assignable commercial leases. Examines the background to these developments, the differences between the leasing arrangements now being offered and some of the problems so far encountered. Concludes that, courtesy of the Monopolies Commission, the very evident need for improved returns on capital for the big brewers means that assignable leases are here to stay.

Examines the characteristics of some of Brent Walker′s major projects and the role of property in both its development and downfall. Draws out seven lessons to be learnt, including: leisure‐related property, pre‐emption rights, refinancing with overseas banks, gearing and new accounting standards.

Examines how the financial structure and cultural attitudes of Japan have influenced its property market. Discusses what the future holds for the market in the light of current conditions in the domestic financial system. Concludes that although demand for Tokyo office space should remain buoyant, the ready supply of new space scheduled for completion over the next few years is likely to ensure that any recovery in values takes place very much in slow motion.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the process, analysis, results, and implications of a card sorting usability study conducted during the planning stages of a web site redesign project at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

The methodology was based on recommendations from usability literature. An open card sort was conducted with 14 students and one faculty member using 93 cards labeled with content from the library's web site. The subjects were asked to “think aloud” and explain their rationale for sorting the cards. The researchers used statistical analysis software to run a factor analysis on the results.

The researchers extracted 11 categories of cards that loaded together and 27 cards that did not fit a category. The categories showed evidence of clustering by shared words, format, and process or task. Cards that did not load were standalone categories, or were redundant or meaningless to the subjects.

The open card sort methodology and large number of cards resulted in cumbersome data that required specialized analysis. The qualitative data were critical to the interpretation of the quantitative data.

Libraries can use the process and analysis as a model for their own card sort usability studies. Results can be used to inform the naming of content and the creation of library web site architecture.

This study is unique in its use of the open card sort technique and factor analysis of the results. The results illustrate users' perceptions of library terminology and web site structure.