Keyword binding as a method of reducing the length of indexes in library catalogues (based on the experience of Digital Library of Wielkopolska)

This paper presents a relatively simple and cheap method for shortening the subject indexes in library catalogs. The method involves taking a set of several dozen general concepts, characterized by a low semantic awareness barrier. Built around these words are subindexes made up of the words which appear in descriptions containing a particular general concept. The effectiveness of the method was studied by analyzing the content of fragments of subject indexes of the NUKAT central catalog of Polish libraries, the University Library in Poznań and the Library of Congress. Compared with the subject headings language method, this method reduces the length of an index by an average of two-thirds, and makes it significantly easier for readers to navigate the vocabulary used by the cataloger. This method has been developed for the needs of Digital Library of Wielkopolska, and will probably be used in all regional digital libraries in Poland

Keyword binding as a method of reducing the length of indexes in library catalogues (based on the experience of Digital Library of Wielkopolska)

This paper presents a relatively simple and cheap method for shortening the subject indexes in library catalogs. The method involves taking a set of several dozen general concepts, characterized by a low semantic awareness barrier. Built around these words are subindexes made up of the words which appear in descriptions containing a particular general concept. The effectiveness of the method was studied by analyzing the content of fragments of subject indexes of the NUKAT central catalog of Polish libraries, the University Library in Poznań and the Library of Congress. Compared with the subject headings language method, this method reduces the length of an index by an average of two-thirds, and makes it significantly easier for readers to navigate the vocabulary used by the cataloger. This method has been developed for the needs of Digital Library of Wielkopolska, and will probably be used in all regional digital libraries in Poland

A Model of Library Networks Evolution

The paper discusses a model explaining the appearance and character of phenomena taking place in research libraries after World War II. Two dominating phenomena are discussed - integration of library networks and computerization. The described model is based on the assumption that the evolution of libraries (occurence of the said phenomena) is caused by the loss of equilibrium in the system and the effort to recover it. The factors which have led to unequilibrium in libraries and how it occured is briefly discussed

Aesthetics of movement with sight disabled children - pilot study

The aim of the study was to establish the aesthetics of movement in people with vision defects. This knowledge will provide tools to improve the methodology of study in the area of assessment of movement aesthetics in people with disabilities. In order to establish its level a test was used which measured its selected elements such as precision, rhythm, harmony, fluidity and speed. The aesthetics of movement was assessed using exercise tests which were to represent the components of aesthetics of movement. Individual tests were carried out on blind and partially sighted children aged 6 to 15 years and on a group of healthy children of the same age. Using the test tasks a general indicator of movement aesthetics in blind children was obtained. The participants of the study were 145 children from four School and Education Centres for Blind Children in Poland and the control group consisted of 310 children from a primary school in Poznań. The studies confirmed a lower level of movement aesthetics in children with vision defects, but the differences in groups between the partially sighted children and children with correct vision were definitely smaller. A higher level of aesthetics of movement characterised children from older groups irrespective of their sex. The best developed property in blind and partially sighted children was precision

COMPUTERS IN POLISH SCIENTIFIC LIBRARIES

The paper contains an estimation of the library automation advancement, the quality of the computer infrastructure and the use of computer media in Polish scientific libraries on the basis of a questionnaire. The university libraries are generally more advanced in their efforts for automation and access to computer media. Special libraries serving the research institute are much less advanced in this field due to lack of adequate funding: half of them did not start preparation for introducing automated systems and did not introduce computer media in their collections and services. The authors stress that there exists no unified program of library automation for scientific libraries

PRINTED DOCUMENTS RESOURCES IN POLISH RESEARCH LIBRARIES AND THEIR USE IN 1991-1994

The paper contains results of the questionnaire study targeted at estimation of printed materials resources and their use in Polish research libraries. The results are split with respect to the library type (academic/special) and specialization (chemistry, life sciences, technical sciences etc.). The data presented include overall volume of monographs and serials collections and the volume of yearly acquisitions. The percentage of foreign materials with English literature singled I out is also given. Additional information in this section includes data about acquisitions on the order of library users and acquisition processing time. The second group of the data includes circulation statistics, the number of unsatisfied requests, estimations of collections use, interlibrary loans statistics and collection pruning policies. In addition, there is an information about studies of users needs, easy access policies (e.g. Saturday and Sunday opening hours and loans on weekend days)

The implementation of information technology projects in Polish research and academic libraries in the early 1990 s. Questions of scope and effectiveness

Reports the results of an inquiry directed at Polish academic, research and scientific libraries. An appraisal of the current IT infrastructure, degree of advances in automation in libraries, and utilization of the electronic sources has been carried out, based on the completed questionnaires received from the libraries in question. It has been recognized that the best developed IT infrastructure is to be found in the academic libraries and that they are well prepared for automation. The situation is much worse in the special libraries of the research and scientific institutes. Half of the libraries in the latter group are not engaged in any preparation for automation, mainly owing to a lack of financial resources. Also, they do not provide readers with access to sources in an electronic format. Points out that a relevant consistent programme for the implementation and utilization of IT in Polish libraries has not yet been prepared