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The acquisition functions of selection, ordering, receiving, blanket orders, serials, gifts, exchange, and microforms and the technical processing of each at the University of California at Los Angeles libraries are discussed. The requirements for converting these manual acquisition functions to a magnetic tape data base for the Center for Information Services are presented. (Related documents are ED 057806 through ED 057812.) (SJ)

The last few years have seen more and more secondary schools introduce computer concepts and some form of computer resource into their educational program--usually a commercial time-sharing service with a modest initial expenditure--but almost invariably the demand for terminal availability and computer usage suggest the need for alternatives. This report surveys the various means of implementing a computer resource: commercial time-sharing, small-scale time-sharing systems, multi-use minicomputers, and minicomputer systems. Each approach is analyzed for cost, support required, number of students supported. How the students make use of the resource and its educational limitation are also reviewed. The implementation of high level languages, such as FORTRAN and BASIC, are considered for their educational utility and the number of students they can support. In addition, a survey of minicomputers and suitable peripheral equipment is appended. Manufacturers and equipments are named and discussed, and prices are also provided. Finally, a glossary of computer technology jargon is included. (Author/SH)

This guide for teachers to the tape indexing system (TANDEM) in use at the Modern Languages Department at Portsmouth Polytechnic focuses on tape classification, numbering, labeling, and shelving system procedures. The appendixes contain information on: (1) the classification system and related codes, (2) color and letter codes, (3) marking of tape box and tape spool, and (4) TANDEM accessions. The study serves as a model for libraries undertaking the classification of their taped instructional materials. (RL)

This description of software development for the 1970 Survey of Compensatory Education analysis contract is presented in three sections: (1) specifications for data and output, (2) descriptions of the programs written, and (3) problems encountered while processing the data. The section on Specifications contains the description of the data to be supplied by USOE and the product to be produced by the project staff at the University of Massachusetts. The second section describes the operation of the programs which were written to produce the 3,000 crosstabulation tables. In the third section, problems encountered both prior to and after the arrival of the data tapes from USOE are described. (DB)

The Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre is concerned with the retrieval, evaluation, synthesis, and dissemination of structural data based on diffraction methods. The source of input is almost entirely primary journals. Bibliographic information and numeric data on crystal and molecular structures are on magnetic tapes. The bibliographic file is ordered in 86 chemical classes, and by molecular formula within each class. The numeric file contains data corresponding to each entry in the bibliographic file published since January 1960. This paper discusses the Centre's publications and services including: (1) bibliographic magnetic tape service, (2) hard-copy alerting service, (3) retrospective searches, (4) manual searches, (5) numeric data magnetic tape service, and (6) computer programs. A list of the 86 chemical classes used for file ordering, information on the Protein Data Bank, and a breakdown of service charges are appended. (Author/SJ)

The Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) system and the ERIC Processing and Reference Facility are briefly discussed as introductory and background material to this paper on the technical and managerial aspects of operating an information processing center. The following topics are covered under the subject of managing the ERIC data base for dissemination: file protection, maintaining a dynamic data base, file analyses, a documentation package, file availability, customer relations, access tools, and schedule adherence. Communication, coordination, and monitoring and feedback problems of networking are discussed. Various forms used in the ERIC system and statistical information about the data base are appended. (SJ)

Part I gives a detailed description of the services provided by the Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress. The division serves the reading needs of these people by reproducing books on microgroove disc, magnetic tape, tape cassette, and in various forms of braille. The author estimates that there are at least 2,000,000 U.S. citizens eligible for the Library's free services but that about 10 percent are aware of their eligibility and take advantage of the program. This part concludes with a list of the regional libraries that serve the handicapped. Part II is basically an appeal to those concerned with communications to assist in publicizing the Library's program and informing those eligible for the special assistance of their "right to read." (RN)

One of a series of communications formats for machine-readable cataloging records issued by the Library of Congress is described. It is an implementation of the "American National Standard for Bibliographic Information Interchange on Magnetic Tape," Z39.2-1971, which was adopted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The ANSI format structure was designed to accommodate records for all kinds of materials used by different groups of users, and this format structure has been used for the MARC formats for books, serials, maps, films, and music developed at the Library of Congress. The MARC manuscript format provides specifications and content designators (tags, indicators, and subfield codes to identify data in a machine record) for manuscript collections and single manuscripts. Since the Library of Congress does not have any immediate plans to distribute records of this kind on magnetic tape, the publication of this format is intended for the use of other institutions involved in creating machine-readable records for manuscripts. Map and music manuscripts can be handled by this format in conjunction with the additional data elements or content designators in the MARC formats. The type of record code in the leader would specify the type of materials. (Author/SJ)

Libraries should resist the temptation to relinquish to computing centers the burden of looking after the university's digital data record resources for a growing volume of intellectually important material will arrive at the university on digital data tapes. If the user must arrange for access to this material outside the library, he will be seriously disadvantaged. When a library assumes responsibility for digital data record resources, the selection of access techniques becomes the central question. The use of interactive techniques in which the user is in direct communication with the data file, combined with full-text displays is described. The model Library Program, discussed in Section III, deals with procedures that assist the user who seeks information in a mixed regime of machine access techniques and conventional library operations. The program's objective is to examine system configurations from the viewpoint of cost-benefits relationships and to study interrelationships among factors such as data-base size, content and cost, user population, equipment utilization, hardware considerations, and networking through use of electrical communications. (Other reports in this series are available as: ED 036 299, 036 301, 043 348, and 047 739). (Author/NH)

Census tapes are not a ready reference tool and must be supported by appropriate program tapes. However, census materials provide the single, most important sources of information and measures which, properly used, provide a better understanding of our society. In utilizing census products, librarians need to fill the role of a user, as well as that of middleman or distributor. Census data can contribute to planning library services and collection development, cooperation, and analyzing and evaluating services for the librarian in the role of a user. The librarian as a middleman must provide access to printed reports, assistance in use, indexing, and information about tapes and tape use. Users will be planning and development agencies, local organizations, local businessmen and students. (AB)

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the content and format of seven machine-readable bibliographic data bases: Chemical Abstracts Service Condensates, Chemical and Biological Activities, and Polymer Science and Technology, Biosciences Information Service's BA Previews including Biological Abstracts and BioResearch Index, Institute for Science Information Source Tape, and Engineering Index COMPENDEX. Selected issue test tapes of each data base were printed and checked for the types of data that were contained in the issue and the methods in which the data were formatted. This paper compares the physical formats of the tapes and describes the varied treatments given to such data elements as authors, titles, abstracts, etc. Great discrepancies in the presentation of essentially similar bibliographic data were found, and some suggestions for mitigating the discrepancies by use of standards are offered. (Author)

The Retrospective Conversion (RECON) Working Task Force investigated the problems of converting retrospective catalog records to machine readable form. The major conclusions and recommendations of the Task Force cover five areas: the level of machine-readable records, conversion of other machine-readable data bases, a machine-readable National Union Catalog (NUC), an alternative strategy for RECON and general recommendations. It is concluded that: 1) full MARC (machine-readable cataloging code) format for machine-readable records is needed to distribute cataloging information, but that it is feasible to use less complete records for the NUC; 2) the projected cost of converting other machine-readable data bases are comparable to or less than those for the present per record MARC/RECON cost depending upon the method of updating; 3) data bases should be ranked by size and completeness of records; 4) standards should be established for reporting the form and contents of data bases; 5) automation of the NUC would cut time and costs and increase access points to the data. A centralized agency is recommended for large scale conversion activity of the retrospective Library of Congress records and other libraries. (JG)

The Library Education Experimental Project (LEEP) involved the establishment of a computer-based laboratory for library science students, utilizing the Library of Congress MARC (Machine-Readable Cataloging) magnetic tapes. Assignments in several classes (reference and bibliography, cataloging, and technical services) involved the use of these tapes and special purpose programs at the Syracuse University Computing Center. With the aid of these computer programs, over two hundred students in eight different courses (repeated for three semesters) were able to search and retrieve catalog records for current literature, to process their own cataloging assignments or examine the characteristics of the Library of Congress cataloging. The laboratory's usefulness was evaluated by the students and the faculty at the end of each semester. The entire laboratory (computer program, data bases, class assignments, user manuals, etc.) has been fully described to other library schools at a special institute and via a newsletter and report series. Appended are the results of a survey of program languages and computing facilities available to library schools and a bibliography of LEEP publications. (Author/JB)

The MARC Pilot Project was an experiment conducted by the Library of Congress, in cooperation with 16 participating libraries, to determine the feasibility of putting cataloging data into machine-readable from for distribution of magnetic tapes. MARC (Machine Readable Cataloging) records were distributed for some 16,000 titles in the pilot phase from November 1966 through June 1967 and for additional titles in the following fiscal year while the project was in transition to an operational stage. By June 30, 1968, approximately 50,000 records had been distributed to the participants for use in the production of book catalogs, catalog cards, book selection notices, and other library tools. This final report by the project's director contains a detailed description of the MARC pilot system, including the tape format, character sets, bibliographic codes, and input procedures. An analysis of the cost of production during the pilot period, as well as brief summaries of the computer programs used, are provided. The new MARC system which evolved from work carried out in the project and which is used for the MARC Distribution Service is also described. An appendix includes the reports and analyses of the pilot project written by the participating libraries. (LC Information Bull.)

The objectives of the MASFILE-I Pilot Project were (1) to test the utility and cost of compiling a manipulative data base from remote card files; (2) to test the utility of the Administrative Terminal System (ATS) for inputting bibliographic data into computer files from catalog card copy at a central location; (3) to test the adequacy of a modified MARC tagging scheme for labelling, inputting, and retrieving formatted bibliographic data elements; (4) to determine overlap of items in the file; (5) to aid the Five Associated University Libraries (F.A.U.L.) in designing a compatible worksheet for transferring the intellectual product of local catalogers into various on-line and off-line machines; (6) to develop recommendations for building a bibliographic data base. A sequential sample of shelf list catalog cards was selected from each F.A. U.L. library in the Library of Congress Classification for the Book Trade and Library Science (Z116-Z1000.5), manually merged, converted to machine readable form by the IBM ATS system at SUNY-Buffalo in a modified MARC-I format. After editing, a list of 1827 items was published containing full citations, holdings statements, and indexes by main entry, LC card number, and LC class number. A draft cataloger's worksheet was designed and is undergoing testing. Overlap studies were made, and time and cost figures compiled. Recommendations for continuation of the project (MASFILE-II) are also included. (Author)

This document presents preliminary specifications for a library-based Center for Information Services (CIS). Four sets of issues are covered: (1) data base inventory, providing a listing of magnetic tape data bases now available from national sources or soon to be so; (2) administrative issues, including the organization of the CIS within the library, its administrative relationship to other activities, its staffing, its method of operation, and its service load; (3) hardware issues, including library/CIS computer configuration and its requirements for space; (4) software issues, including the requirements for generalized programs to handle file management and search, reference retrieval, and text processing. (Author)

Projects and activities reviewed include the DOTSYS production of the first braille book from teletypsetter input, the use of DOTSYS, mechanical and electronic features of the high speed braille embosser developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the pilot demonstration program for Perkins School for the Blind. Also surveyed are the following: the crooked handle folding cane project (design changes on the cane and evaluation process and questionnaire); the electrified Perkins brailler (explanation and development, electronic design, and mechanical features); the path sounder; and the sound source ball. Proposed work for calender year 1969 is outlined including the embosser field test and evaluation, straight handle folding cane, electrified Perkins brailler evaluation, path sounder evaluation, and sound source ball demonstration. Also summarized are the administrative structure; industrial cooperation with the center; seminars, presentations, conferences, and publications; and special conferences. Seven appendixes are provided. (JD)

The long-range goal of this program was to develop a sufficient number of qualified personnel to establish and operate Individualized Manpower Training (IMT) Systems for disadvantaged and handicapped youths and adults. The objectives were to: (1) develop instructional materials and procedures using a programmed instructional process; (2) train several groups of administrators, counselors, and teachers who are involved in on-going manpower programs to use an IMT System in basic remedial education; (3) develop prototype materials for a mechanical occupational cluster, which will integrate the prevocational and occupational plan with basic remedial education in a total IMT System; and (4) conduct a continuous monitoring of the staff training program during development, assess its impact, and provide observational analysis factors which appear to be related to the success of program implementation. The products and materials prepared during the project were either completely developed or modified to fit in the IMT System. The IMT System staff were provided individualized staff training courses in the use of basic remedial guides in establishing individualized basic remedial instruction in Learning Resource Centers; in developing a diagnostic profile for each trainee; in developing an individual training plan for each one; and in evaluating the progress of the trainees. The products prepared were printed materials (5 guides and 1 programmed lesson) and tape-slide modules. The findings of the project clearly demonstrate that it is possible to train staff to establish and operate an IMT System within a short time by use of individualized instruction. (Author/DB)

This report presents a proposed program plan for developing an integrated library network in the State of Washington. The need for such a plan arises from the requirements of Title III of the Library Services and Construction Act and from the increasing demands placed upon libraries and the resulting need to use available resources better. The intent of the program is (1) to promote the increased sharing of resources by libraries, particularly of different kinds and with different area jurisdictions; (2) to use modern technology in an appropriate, economic manner to facilitate the sharing of resources; and (3) to expand the availability of library materials to every resident of the State. Although elements of the program are already in existence, in experimentation, or in discussion, the plan proposed a logical integration of these elements into a single planned progression of steps. Included in this report are a description of the proposed network, the program plan and schedule for implementation, and the specifications of the processing center and switching center. Aspects of the network which are described include geographical area groups, the State Library Card Production Service, specialty groups, a switching center to provide access to major library resources and geographical speciality groups, and technical services. A list of available sources of catalogs and indexes on magnetic tape is appended. (Author/JB)

Using an IBM System/360 Model 50 computer, the New York Statewide Film Library Network schedules film use, reports on materials handling and statistics, and provides for interlibrary loan of films. Communications between the film libraries and the computer are maintained by Teletype model 33 ASR Teletypewriter terminals operating on TWX (Teletypewriter Exchange) service, programed mainly in S/360 Assembler Language. This configuration permits on-line (real time) tele-processing, the central concept in the system. The files (S/360 data sets) are stored on either direct access storage devices (disks) or sequential access storage devices (magnetic tape) according to their use in processing. Within the Network's system, there are three classes of files: system files, containing system programs and backup files; input/output files, containing tables for I/O editing and temporary I/O storage; and the data files, containing information about films, libraries, customers, and bookings. Appendices: list of files by sort sequence, notes on System/360 organization and data storage, and notes on disk storage devices. (TI)

Utilizing both the experience gained from the Machine-Readable Cataloging (MARC) Pilot Project, which tested the feasibility of distributing Library of Congress cataloging in machine readable form to various users, and the results of extensive consultation with the library community and persons at the Library of Congress, a format for communication of bibliographic data, MARC II, has been devised. It is designed to have sufficient flexibility to serve as the standardized communications format for a wide variety of bibliographic data. The basic format has the following parts: (1) a leader which identifies and describes the record, its length and its effect on the file, (2) a directory which is essentially an index to the location of the variable fields within the record, (3) a control number which is the unique number assigned to the record, (4) variable fixed fields, which are the fixed fields which would appear in a given type of record, but which vary in number and length among the different types of records, and (5) variable fields which may not be present in all records of a given types. The use of the format is shown in the cataloging of monographs, demonstrating how each of the elements on a catalog card would be transcribed into MARC II format. Also included in this report is "The MARC II Format, Supplement One", including additional changes designed to make the format more flexible and to simplify the structure. (CM)