Newsgroups: bit.listserv.pacs-l
Date:         Tue, 10 Nov 1992 15:36:24 CDT
From:         Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <LIBPACS@UHUPVM1.BITNET>
Subject:      Net-Based Documents

4 Messages, 131 Lines
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From:         524830@ACADVM1.UOTTAWA.CA
Subject:      Re: Net-based Documents
    Somehow the present discussion of Net based docs reminds me of the
 controversial issue of the net as frontier. If I could just make one
observation it would be that those of us who are now using the nets
extensively have only done so on the basis of a considerable time and
effort. I have witnessed numerous situations where individuals get only as
far as hooking up a modem and getting a mainframe account.After several
sessions, possibly lots of irrelevant postings, many would-be users leave the
modems in the off position. Those of us who have been working on the nets for
several years sometimes forget how persistence in using the nets has begun to
pay off. This leads to respond to the discussion of who will do the job of
indexing, facilitating, and documenting what is "piled out there". Clearly, any
potential user has a particular purpose for wanting to use the nets- and the
job of indexing goes to those who have enough interest to spend additional time
and effort to document their own findings. A guide that doesn't include info
necessary to navigate the informational implications of itself
is useful only to the creator of it, and useless to others. The use of the nets
is widening, making it necessary for experienced users to learn to speak the
kind of language that can be understood by the tentative and hopeful net users
who are only now being introduced to the system.
    This in turn leads one to wonder about the ideal "handbook" for Networked..
., and I would greatly apreciate feedback. Just what should characterize a
directory,  guide etc ? Should each be self contained in the sense of being
able to actually take the user through the use of various search engines ( WAIS
GOPHER etc.) as well as systems ( BITNET FTP TELNET etc), or should a certain
level of knowledge be assumed? What would the ideal NET handbook look like?
Henry R. Leyenhorst
Department of Religious Studies
University of Ottawa

         BITNET: 524830@Uottawa
         Internet: 524830@Acadvm1.Uottawa.CA
         S-Mail: 177 Waller, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5 CANADA
         Voice:  (613) 258-4266
         FAX:    (613) 258-1281
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Resent-From: Carolyn Reid <Carolyn_Reid@qmcumc.mail.cornell.edu>
Paul Gherman writes:
"Libraries have not dealt with this "gray literature" in the past, and I doubt
that they will in the future."

I disagree. I feel strongly that we (libraries) are well into the process of
incorporating electronic and networked information resources into our access
services right now. Libraries are doing this in several ways: through access
to external resources via library workstations connected to the internet,
through mounting databases and information resources locally for remote access,
 through training programs that assist users who have direct access to be more
efficient and effective in their use of these resources, and through our
exemplary use of networked resources in filling information needs.

"Our libraries see their mission as creating local
access to local ownership, instead we need to direct our energies to creating
R
a new meta-structure of information which will probably be disipline oriented."


I think most libraries now recognize that *access* to information, whether it
is housed locally or elsewhere, is the important thing. We (Cornell Medical
Library) revised our mission statement over a year ago to address this in two
ways: first, to provide access to networked information and second, to educate
information users in effective strategies of information access and management.
 Libraries are switching to the "just in time" philosophy, whereas before it
was "just in case."

I think the most important point made by Paul, and one with which I heartily
agree, is that direct access by the user from a personal workstation is our
vision. (Remember the Apple Computer video--"Knowledge Navigator"?)
Facilitation of that access through "electronic finding aids" and development
of "information meta-structures" are certainly important steps.

Librarians, computer and networking professionals, educators, administrators,
others--all of us will collaborate in the creation of this brave new
information world. And it is this collaboration that will be the foundation
for our greatest success.

Just IMHO - - -
Carolyn
---Carolyn Anne Reid, Cornell Medical Library, New York City
---Phone: 212-746-6069        Fax: 212-746-6494
---E-mail: carolyn_reid@qmcumc.mail.cornell.edu

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From: "Millard Johnson    PORTALS"  <ZENDOG@mailhost.lib.pdx.edu>
Subject:      Re: Net-based Documents
> From: "Brent Sweeny" <sweeny@pine.ucs.indiana.edu>
> Subject: Re: Library Use of Net-based Documents
>  Paul M. Gherman said:
> >If we are to create the virtual library, we need to change our thinking
> >from locally created finding aids, to the virtual access mechanism which
> >takes the user to the e-source. The problem is that we do not have
> >institutions whose mission it is to create these new mechanisms on a national
> >or international level. Our libraries see their mission as creating local
> >access to local ownership, instead we need to direct our energies to creating
> >a new meta-structure of information which will probably be disipline
 oriented.
> ----------
I gave a little talk to the regional INTERNET meeting on the virtual
library.  Thinking about what about the "LIBRARY" would make the leap
from print-on-paper to electronic environment, I came up with three
things:
  1) Make it possible for the user to find the information he/she
needs
  2) Get the information into the hands of the user in a comfortable
and useful format
  3) Pay the bill
Under 1 there are implications for quality control and timeliness.
Of course, you can do all of these things poorly.  There will be bad
 virtual libraries just as there are bad traditional libraries.
****************************************************************
*  Millard Johnson     zendog@lib.pdx.edu                       *
*  PORTALS  Phone (503) 725-5049                                *
*  "I would rather risk failure than achieve it without risk."  *
*****************************************************************
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From:         "yusung3@ua1vm.bitnet" <YUSUNG3@UA1VM>
Subject:      Re: Library Use of Net-based Documents
I totally agree with Paul gherman's opinion of not providing
e-literature to patrons. Libraies are not able to supply all
kinds of document to every level of patrons. We've got to
drow a line in order to serve a main stream of users.
Moreover most of e-literatures are not catalogued in unified
schedule, and the problem of copyright is not solved yet.
I think that librarians  recommand to consult net-based documents
to user who is  not satisfied with currently available materials
in the library. But, getting the materials is not the librarian's
job.
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU