The Electronic Library (Computers for Libraries)

This textbook, the fourth edition of "Computers for Libraries", has been compl etely revised to incorporate the massive changes wrought by technological progress in libraries. It aims to provide a broad overview of information systems as they impact on the library and information professional. The book has been significantly revised throughout with updated and expanded sections on human-computer interaction, information system methodologies, information retrieval incorporating multimedia databases, development in natural language searching and the changing role of the information professional, access to online hosts and the effect of the Internet and text information systems. Entirely new sections have been added including: contextualizing information systems in libraries; multimedia databases and object oriented databases; the changing roles of library networking; the Internet; and OPAC access to the Net. This edition also features a series of short interviews with practioners. It is organized around an active learning approach and includes learning outcomes for each chapter, points for reflection, review questions and chapter summaries.