_Current_Cites_ Volume 1, no. 3 October 1990 Library Technology Watch Program University of California, Berkeley Edited by David F.W. Robison ISSN: 1060-2356 Contributors: Mark Mentges, Teri Rinne, Vivienne Roumani, Lisa Rowlison, Roy Tennant Optical Disc Technology Dreiss, Jack L. "CD-ROM: Potential and Pitfalls." CD-ROM Professional 3(5) (September 1990):70-73. This article is a summary from the Arthur Andersen White Paper entitled, "CD-ROM: Confronting the Potential Dilemma." The article outlines past pitfalls of the new technology (lack of standards, fear of obsolescence, expense) and factors that will fuel growth in the future. The authors assert that CD-ROM is much more than a passing fancy and predict that it will be the hot information technology of the early 1990s, and its effect will be nothing less than revolutionary. Rosen, Linda. "CD-ROM Report: A Guide to the emerging optical technologies." Database 13(5) (October 1990):116-119. The author sets out to "demystify new electronic and optical technologies and to provide information on the current and future availability of actual products." The technologies covered include CD-ROM, CD-I, CD-IV, CD-ROM XA, DVI, and WORM. The author concludes with the prediction that CD-ROM will continue to be the most widely used of the optical technologies in the information industry, while the newer technologies will go straight to the consumer. Stewart, Linda, ed. Public Access CD-ROMs in Libraries: Case Studies. Westport, CT: Meckler Corporation, 1990. This recently published work presents case studies of libraries which have installed CD-ROM workstations in public access areas. Its primary aim is to aid in the planning and decision-making regarding the purchase and management of CD-ROM. The case studies are grouped into two parts: the first part presents case studies grouped into two sections by type of library while the second part concentrates on particular aspects of implementation (e.g. networking, remote access). Tenopir, Carol. "CD-ROM Manifesto." Library Journal 115(14):195- 97. In her monthly column, Tenopir provides the text of the CD-ROM Manifesto presented at the National Online Meeting in New York this May by the Corporate Librarians Group of New York. The document calls for progress in the design, production, marketing, and support of CD-ROM products, especially in relation to standards, interfaces, and networking. Expert Systems Bailey, Charles W. Jr. and Kathleen Gunning. "The Intelligent Reference Information System." CD-ROM Librarian 5(8) (September 1990):10-19. One of the limitations of expert systems has been the inability to link them either with other expert systems or with other computer products. This limitation is clearly being overcome with the IRIS Project which takes the power of expert systems in combination with CD-ROM technology to develop improved reference services. Interesting reading especially now that our libraries offer multiple CD-ROM database services. Davis, Randall, ed. "Expert Systems: How Far Can They Go?" AI MAGAZINE 10(1) (Spring 1989):61-63.This panel from the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence presents some of the limitations and areas of future development of expert systems. The philosophic nature of the article is its main attraction, as it presents an excellent introduction to the question of whether expert systems can really ever be "experts." Johntston, Mark and John Weckert. "Selection Advisor: An Expert System for Collection Development." Information Technology & Libraries 9(3) (September 1990):219-225. This article discusses the development of an expert system to be used in COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT. Slightly technical, but not dauntingly so. This application of expert systems is interesting for at least two reasons: its ability to "archive" selection decisions, and its ability to lend consistency to the overall selection process. Networks and Networking Bailey, Charles W. Jr. "The Public-Access Computer Systems Forum: A Computer Conference on BITNET." Library Software Review 9(2) (Mar/Apr 1990):71-74. Your ticket to having e-mail every day! The Public-Access Computer Systems Forum (PACS-L) is a fun and interesting discussion of library technology issues with participants from around the globe. This article (by the moderator of the "list") gives the basics of joining (and leaving) the conference. Kesselman, Martin. "European Online Services." Wilson Library Bulletin 65(1) (September, 1990):82-84, 134. Describes what the author has found in his research of European online catalogs and databases, and what further information he plans to disseminate. These resources remain largely untapped in North America and include such databases as: BLC (BLAIS-LINE), DIMDI (FRG), Pergamon Financial Data Services, and others. Kirk, Thomas and Thomas Michalak. "The Coalition for Networked Information." C&RL News 51(8) (September, 1990):751-753. This article describes the newly formed Coalition (of which Berkeley is a founding member) and its opening meeting. CNI is formally named The Coalition for Networked Information to Advance Scholarship and Intellectual Productivity. Member organizations include: ARL, CAUSE, EDUCOM, and ACRL. Nielsen, Brian. "Finding it on the Internet: the Next Challenge for Librarianship." Database 13(5) (October, 1990):105-107. A short discussion of the Internet and its relationship to libraries in the present and the future. This article also brings up the salient issues of "ownership" and cataloging with respect to online catalogs, databases, and electronic material. Hyper- and Multimedia Halbert, Martin. "Multimedia: The Agony and the Ecstasy for Information Professionals." CD-ROM Professional 3(5)(Sept 1990):6- 9. This article addresses both the promise and problems of interactive multimedia: the range of possibilities of the new technology is promising but is also the source of problems in that the lack of standards will delay and confuse the adoption of the technology. Nevertheless, the author encourages librarians and computer center professionals to become familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of competing standards in multimedia. Information Transfer Brock, Dee. "Using Technology to Deliver Education." ASIS Bulletin (August/September 1990):9-11. Discusses the relevance of "distant education" in the nineties. Froehlich, Fritz E. and K. Leon Montgomery. "The Emergence of Telecommunications as a Discipline." ASIS Bulletin (June/July 1990):6-7. An editorial introducing the next three articles discussing the impact of telecommunications on information and library systems systems. Hawkins, Phillip B. "Tools of the Trade: A Look at the Niscan/GS Scanner." Computer Currents (September 11-24 1990):46-48. Jacob, M.E.L. "Libraries and National Library Networks." ASIS Bulletin (June/July 1990):8-9. Kinney, Thomas. "Telecommunications Strategies for Academic Libraries." ASIS Bulletin (June/July 1990):12-13. Lunin, Lois F. "Integrating Images with the Information System." ASIS Bulletin (June/July 1990):21-22. Saffo, Paul. "The Collision of PC and Fax." Computer Currents (September 25-October 8 1990):62-64. Stigleman, Sue. "Text Management Software." Public-Access Computer Systems Review 1(1) (1990):5-22. Vrenios, Alex and Rita Wright."TexLib: A Texas Library of Online Business Research Data." Library Software Review (May/June 1990):144-146. This paper describes how a business library was able to offer its users larger quantities of data that are both timely and accurate without staff increase. Welsch, Erwin K. and Ellen Schultz. "Developing Gateways to Online Information Utilities." Library Software Review (March-April 1990):83-90. This paper suggests that instead of using commercial programs, local systems can be developed that utilize many gateway features, at less cost and more system specific. General Quint, Barbara. "Online Pricing Breakthroughs." Wilson Library Bulletin 65(1) (September, 1990):85-88. Discusses changes in pricing of online information and strategies for encouraging more competitive pricing. News Bits Turner, Judith Axler. "Apple Announces New Program for Higher- Education Software." The Chronicle of Higher Education (0ctober 3, 1990):A24. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Current Cites 1(3) (October 1990) ISSN: 1060-2356 Copyright (C) 1992 by the Library, University of California, Berkeley. All rights reserved. Copying is permitted for noncommercial use by computerized bulletin board/conference systems, individual scholars, and libraries. Libraries are authorized to add the journal to their collections at no cost. This message must appear on copied material. All commercial use requires permission from the editor, who may be reached in the following ways: drobison@library.berkeley.edu // drobison@ucblibra // (510)642-7600 -------------------------------------------------------------------