Fin-de-siècle Philadelphia and the founding of the Medical Library Association.

Philadelphia at the time of the founding of the Medical Library Association (MLA) is described. Several factors that promoted the birth of the association are discussed, including the rapid increase in the labor force and the rise of other health related professions, such as the American Hospital Association and the professionalization of nursing. The growth of the public hygiene movement in Philadelphia at the time of Sir William Osler's residency in the city is discussed. Finally, the rapid growth of the medical literature is considered a factor promoting the development of the association. This article continues the historical consideration of the MLA begun in the author's article on the three founders of the association. The background information is drawn from the items listed in the bibliography, and the conclusions are those of the author.     

A Review of: “David H. Weaver,Randal A. Beam,Bonnie J. Brownlee,Paul S. Voakes,and G. Cleveland Wilhoit. The American Journalist in the 21st Century: U.S. News People at the Dawn of a New Millennium.”

Amy Reynolds and Brooke Barnett (Eds). Communication and Law: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Research. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc., 2006 394 pp., ISBN 0805849424 (hardcover).     

Bibliographic Data Science and the History of the Book (c. 1500–1800)

Abstract

National bibliographies have been identified as a crucial resource for historical research on the publishing landscape, but using them requires addressing challenges of data quality, completeness, and interpretation. We call this approach bibliographic data science. In this article, we briefly assess the development of book formats and the vernacularization process in early modern Europe. The work undertaken paves the way for more extensive integration of library catalogs to map the history of the book.     

Determinants of Cable System Product Diversification—An Investigation of the U.S. Cable Systems

This study examines cable system diversification into three nontraditional services: pay-per-view television, high-speed Internet access, and telephony. An econometrics model based on the Industrial Organization Model is used to explore the factors that have led to variation in diversification among cable systems. Specifically, this study examines how three sets of variables, namely, cable system characteristics, market structure, and market demographics, influenced cable system diversification. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify the determinants of cable system total degree of diversification, which is defined to be the number, from 0 to 3, of the three nontraditional services offered by a cable system. Regression results indicate that Multiple System Operator (MSO) ownership, the number of basic cable service subscribers, and the number of broadcast television stations receivable over the air all had a statistically significant positive relationship to cable system total degree of diversification, whereas the number high-speed Internet service providers in a cable franchise area had a statistically significant negative relationship to cable system's total degree of diversification.     

ImaginOn,The First Twenty‐First Century Public Library Building in the U.S.

This article presents a portrait of ImaginOn, a combined children's library and theater building in Charlotte, NC. Unlike so many modern library buildings intended primarily as warehouses for materials or as civic icons, this structure is designed to encourage visitors to experience the joy to be found in stories of all kinds. The author conveys the excitement of ImaginOn and, using photographs, highlights the principal features of the structure.     

Geography in the VINITI of the RAS: from reference journal to database. A history of development. Statistical characteristics during 1954–2008

The history of the creation and development of the VINITI RAS “Geography” reference journal from 1954 to 2008 is considered. The changes in retrofunds and dynamics of the distribution of the overall quantity of documents in the reference journal/database have been followed in relation to the changes in the content contained in the issues during the period of time under consideration. The document information flow of the “ Geography ” database during 1991–2008 was analyzed statistically.     

“Doubt is in the Air.” Modeling the Comparison Between Traditional and Web Casting Radio on the Greek Case

Considering radio as a social system for the production of culture and communication, and based on an overview of the Greek case, this article suggests a model for studying the potential of the Web casting radio compared with the traditional radio in various media environments. The model suggested includes eight dimensions: institutional framework, market structures and business models, content diversity, audience profile, interactivity, sociability, relations with the recording industry, and relations with major news media and organizations. The analysis shows that a complex approach is needed to explore the chances for the potential of the Web casting radio to be realized.     

British journal pricing: Enigma variations,or what will the U.S. market bear?

Dissatisfied with the usual explanations British publishers have offered for the large price differentials between their U.K. and U.S. customers-explanations such as increased distribution costs and currency fluctuations—the author examined 108 journals published by seven major British publishers. He compared their U.K. and U.S. prices and price differentials against four “value indicators”: local use, citation frequency, a listing in Katz's Magazines for Libraries, and OCLC holding libraries. He has found that high prices and high price differentials correlate with high indicators of use/value. He concludes that the data suggest that British publishers are pricing their journals in the U.S. market according to what that market is apparently willing to bear. He further suggests that the challenge for libraries arising from this pricing strategy is to identify on-going mechanisms for measuring value against price, in order to ensure that the price any publisher demands for a title corresponds to the value delivered.