As I Sit Studying: WWW-Based Reference Services

Abstract

This article reports on the current state of reference services on the World Wide Web (WWW). It explains what a WWW-based reference service is, describes several models of handling requests, and explores the impact of these services on traditional reference services. Based upon anecdotal information the author concludes that, to date, Web-based reference services have had little impact upon traditional reference services.     

Integrating Library Services

ABSTRACT

The migration of information resources and library use from predominantly print/on-site use to electronic/online use has created a fragmented set of systems for libraries and users. In addition, the growing complications associated with doing research in libraries as compared to the ease of use of Web-based search engines is causing libraries to review system design and review their approach to the provision of information and services. Popular trends including information portals, federated/meta-search systems, and link resolvers are being used in attempts to re-integrate library systems and provide better search interfaces. Despite their advantages, each of these applications falls short of creating the seamless experience that patrons are becoming used to finding on the Web. As a possible solution to this, a specific suggestion of an information service based Web service application is discussed to help connect users to libraries at a point of information need. doi:10.1300/J136v12n03_10     

Keep IT Simple

SUMMARY

Distance education students are often goal-oriented and task-driven. They do not appreciate roadblocks that prevent them from gaining access to the information or services they need to complete their course objectives. However, Web-based reference support sites are sometimes more frustrating than helpful. This article discusses some of the difficulties of accessing reference services faced by distance education students and examines ways in which librarians should “keep IT simple” when designing the tools and methods to access reference support.     

Using the World Wide Web for Art and Humanities Reference Services

Abstract

This paper describes what the World Wide Web is and what is needed in order to access its information. It discusses the future of art and humanities reference resources and presents criteria for evaluating Web sites. A review of the literature related to “Generation X” and their information expectations was done. There is an annotated list of specific World Wide Web resources related to African Diaspora, American Poetry, Comparative Literature, Gay and Lesbian Literature, and Outsider Art. This list provides examples for evaluation and is not meant to be exhaustive.     

The Virtual Librarian and the Electronic Reference Interview

ABSTRACT

For many students, the World Wide Web is their main access point for library research and, therefore, libraries need to find a venue for the virtual reference interview. This paper discusses the use of the library home page as a reference tool and its importance in the online reference interview process. This article also discusses some of the research that went into the creation of a home page for a large, urban, academic institution, how this research was utilized, and how the resulting page serves as an online surrogate for the in-person reference interview.     

Analysis of file usage in personal computer environments

This paper discusses collection, analysis and interpretation of data pertaining to files in personal computer (PC) environments. We developed programs to collect and analyze data from PCs running the OS/2¹ operating system and using the High Performance File System (HPFS). The data collection program gathers the information about file sizes, the times and dates of file creation, the last file access, and the last file update by scanning the contents of disk storage devices. The gathered information is used to analyze the distributions of file sizes, functional file lifetimes, and functional lifetimes of file's data. The analysis shows that: most files are small (more than 60% of files on a system are smaller than 8 Kbytes), about 60% of files on a system have never been accessed again after being created and very few files are ever modified. Recommended by: N. Boudriga     

How the Web is used to support collaborative writing

We present 19 systems that have been developed over the past decade to support collaborative writing over the Web. The aim of this article is to present the state of the art on the use of the Web for collaborative writing and thus (1) help designers improve current systems or define future systems, and (2) help users choose the most appropriate system to support their needs. Among available systems, groups can select from tools to write a document (on- or off-line), collect comments about a document, or maintain a Web site. The lack of experimental data concerning Web-based applications forces designers to use other sources of information to guide their design choices, such as a list of functions that an ideal collaborative writing tool should offer. This list has revealed several potential points for improvement.     

HawkHelp

SUMMARY

This article describes the factors that influenced the design of a chat reference service that meets the needs of distance learners as well as traditional students. Emphasis is placed in the importance of collaborative projects, evaluation of software, and planning the organizational structure. An innovative “peer and tier” staffing initiative may extend hours and free reference librarians to concentrate on research and in-depth questions. Finally, a planning effort by information services may lead to a one-stop shopping service that will include student services that often are problematic for the distant learner (counseling, enrollment, financial aid, etc.).     

A Historical Overview of Internet Reference Services for Distance Learners

SUMMARY

The advent of library services and collections on the Internet revolutionized reference services to students enrolled in distance learning programs. Prior to the Internet, reference librarians who supported distance learning programs had few methods, and many of them costly, to provide the equivalent library services advocated by the ACRL Guidelines. Through the Internet, these librarians were able to approximate the services and resources that had always been available to students who came into the library. This article describes the development of reference services on the Internet in a variety of libraries that support distance learners.     

The use of database techniques in production control- a practical example from the aerospace industry

Over the last fifteen years Short Brothers, the Northern Ireland Aerospace Company, has developed individual batch systems handling all areas of finance and production. This has led to the typical situation of many stand along batch systems and many diverse files. These systems have grown in size and complexity both in terms of the information they hold and in the sophistication of the processing carried out. With regard to the production applications, information first enters the system when a part number in allocated in the Drawing Office, and thereafter as it progresses through Production Engineering, Material Control, Tool Design, more and more reference data is added to the files. Delivery programmes are fed in for all products and progress is monitored against those programmes. Consequently there are large files of information, some of which is duplicated and most of which, because of the standard file management techniques used is difficult to access. To find a firm basis for forward development both of central integrated batch systems and on-line systems, Shorts chose to use an Integrated Data Management System (IDMS) software package supplied by International Computers Ltd. (ICL). The paper discusses the initial central database development and where it will fit in with future distributed systems and data.     

Internet Reference Services for Distance Education

SUMMARY

Published guidelines for distance learning library services provide a framework for distance education librarians to use in planning services for off-campus students. Other literature in the arena of distance education librarianship provides concrete examples of how reference services have been offered in real settings. This paper attempts to synthesize these two types of literature in order to offer models of reference service for distance learners.     

Application to groundwater modelling of the Roermond area,The Netherlands

Abstract

The method of regional hydrological systems analysis is illustrated by groundwater flow systems modelling of the Roermond area (240 km²) in the south-east of the Netherlands. The systems analysis is divided into two main phases; (1) identification of infiltration and exfiltration system components and (2) identification of the total system configuration and operation. Remotely-sensed data and a geographical information system proved to be valuable tools for the delineation and quantification of the hydrological system components. Based on the known spatial distribution of components the system configuration and operation is estimated, thus serving as a reference for subsequent modelling of regional hydrological flow systems.     

A conceptual approach for development of educational Web-based e-testing system

The paper describes a conceptual approach for development of educational Web-based e-testing system. The system aims to improve the effectiveness of the learning process by providing features for flexible adjusting of the testing process. The tutors and learners can interact with the e-testing system by choosing different options for testing – easy questions, advanced questions, sequential or shuffle order, random generated questions within given range. The e-testing system can be used by students for self-testing or by tutors for official examination. When used for official examination the test results information is sent to the examiner by e-mail. The system files are stored on the server-side and are accessible through Web-browser. A prototype of e-testing system illustrating the proposed approach is developed by means of HTML and JavaScript languages. It was used for “C Programming Language” course students self-testing and official examination. The experimental results demonstrated that the implementation of the proposed approach is quite helpful to facilitate the understanding and implementation of teachers’ attitudes toward Web-based e-testing tools application.     

Trying it on for Size

ABSTRACT

Most colleges are continuing to see growth in their online education programs. Academic libraries are attempting to strike a balance between traditional library offerings and new online resources and services. Determining how to allocate funds is complicated by the fact that many students in online classes today live near enough campus to come to the library. Should libraries at institutions where most online students live near campus devote scarce resources to providing services such as online reference? One community college library is attempting to answer that question by testing online reference with Elluminate vClass in a limited way.     

R U There? How to Reach a Virtual Audience Through Affordable Marketing Strategies

ABSTRACT

Virtual reference is a vital service component of many libraries. Whether serving college students or the general public, a real-time reference service demands highly trained staff and quality resources. What can administrators do to make sure their users make the most of this cutting-edge service? The University at Buffalo (UB) was one of the first universities to establish a virtual reference service. Known as Instant Librarian, the chat room thrives as a major public service without placing a drain on staff or budget. This article discusses the marketing strategies UB applies to chat reference, including advertising, use of icons, and user surveys for assessment.     

大型网络信息中心(NIC)管理的关键技术与实现

首先给出了一个大型ＴＣＰ／ＩＰ网络信息中心（ＮＩＣ）管理系统及基结构,提出了基于Ｗｅｂ的面向ＮＩＣ系统管理的安全可靠的网络、系统、数据库管理的解决方案,阐述了ＮＩＣ管理的关键技术与实现：数据一致性维护、系统安全机制、系统监测和自动恢复机制等。     

Centralizing Information About Library Services and Resources

SUMMARY

The School of Information Resources and Library Science at the University of Arizona (UA) has a mix of local and distance students in its program. The librarian at the UA Library who works with this program developed a Web site that centralizes information about several library services and resources that benefit distance learners: online orientation and research guides, chat reference, document delivery, and more. Bringing together this information with a focus on distance learners provides a platform for delivering the library to all users, whatever their distance from the library.     

Decentralised adaptive architectures for control of large-scale active–passive modular systems with stability and performance guarantees

ABSTRACT

Decentralised control of large-scale active–passive modular systems is considered in this paper. The considered class of large-scale systems consist of physically interconnected and generally heterogeneous modules, where local control signals can only be applied to a subset of these modules (i.e. active modules) and the rest do not admit any control signals (i.e. passive modules). Specifically, based on a set-theoretic model reference adaptive control approach predicated on restricted potential functions, we design and analyse decentralised command following control laws for each active module such that they can effectively perform their tasks in the presence of unknown physical interconnections between modules and module-level system uncertainties. The key feature of our framework allows the system error trajectories of the active modules to be contained within a-priori, user-defined compact sets. Thus, they are guaranteed to achieve strict performance guarantees, where this is of paramount importance for practical applications. In addition to our theoretical findings and research contributions, the efficacy of the proposed decentralised adaptive control architecture is demonstrated in an illustrative numerical example.