Journal of Librarianship and Information Science

Discusses the concept of electrocopy ing, defined by the Publishers Association to cover the copying of printed materials, by scanning or other means, into electronic databases, in which the text is stored in either image or character encoded form. Briefly mentions technical aspects of electro copying, including the two document scanning technologies: document image processing (DIP); and optical character recognition (OCR); but main ly concentrates on the legal and eco nomic aspects. Considers the copyright implications of electrocopying, in par ticular, the fears of widespread copy right infringement expressed by publishers. Considers the role of the Commission of the European Communities and the views and ini tiatives of a selection of major pub lishers. Concludes that the approach of publishers is that they do not want solutions foisted upon them by statute or the practice of electrocopying becoming widespread, yet seem to be taking a long time to do anything pos itive. Reviews the situation in the UK and the role played by academic libraries in electrocopying and net working information. Reports results of a questionnaire survey of UK acad emic libraries to determine the use of information technology in general, and electrocopying in particular. Concludes with a discussion of the possible future implications of electrocopying for the pattern of scholarly communication and the survival of the periodical.

Regression analysis is used to analyse the available statistical evidence on the range, cost and usage of UK public libraries to determine whether any gen eral relationship exists between the pop ulation size served by a public library authrority and its functional efficiency, while recognizing that some aspects of the impact of size require a more quali tative assessment. Examines the perfor mance of the smallest authorities against the UK national average. The statistical analysis of service provision over the 1980s is based on the returns made by the chief librarians to the annual Public Library Statistics (Actuals) produced by CIPFA's (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) Statistical Information Service. The general mea sures of service used in the study consist of: total number of service points; lend ing limit (maximum number of items allowable on loan); issue period; and opening hours (including mobile libraries). Results provide some confir mation of diseconomies of scale in small library authoritites, which incur greater per capita expenditure than larger author ities. Concludes that size is not the only factor determining the scope and range of services. The research was supported by a grant from the British Library, Research and Development Department.

Examines the curricula of library schools in Africa to ascertain the pro portion of their courses that is relevant to the emerging library and informa tion science market based on a stan dard list of topics, ranging from computer technology and information and records management to informa tion repackaging and journalism. The list was based on that prepared by Nick Moore in his study: The emerging mar kets for librarians and information workers, 1987 (see LISA ref. 88-2944). Data used in the study was based on prospectuses from the schools supple mented with visits. Results suggest that a substantial proportion of the institutions in Africa have incorporat ed courses that are appropriate to the emerging market in their curricula. The majority appreciate the leading posi tion held by computer technology in this market, but in reality only four- five schools provide computer facili ties. Recommends that funding agencies should provide assistance in the training of information profess ionals in Africa by sponsoring visiting lecturers and scholars to training insti tutions where these lack skilled man power to teach certain courses, and by making the necessary equipment avail able. Continuing education for trainers should play an important part.

Reviews three of the CD-ROM data bases published quarterly by Bowker-Saur Ltd: British Humanities Index (BHI Plus) ; Current Technology Index (CTI Plus); and Applied Social Sciences Abstracts and Indexes (ASSIA Plus). Presents a concise but comprehensive account of the histo ry of the databases, from their earliest days in printed form and published by the Library Association, UK, to their sale to Bowker-Saur and launch as CD-ROM databases, using simi lar search software to that used by the rest of the Bowker Plus range of CD-ROM databases. Describes the installation of the software and the typical search options available. Notes the particular advantages of searching the CD-ROM databases over the printed versions and remarks on the shortcomings of the loose leaf printed manuals. Stresses that these databases are not only valuable as retrospective search tools for the lit erature but can also be used to answer quick, factual, reference questions.