French Fiction:

The cataloging of music sound recordings is both challenging and interesting. As the technologies used to produce sound recordings change, these changes must be reflected in both cataloging theory and practice. Three formats: analog disc, cassette tape, and compact disk, all of which are readily available on the market, present special challenges to catalogers who must consider what might be the most effective way of handling these materials following the AACR2 cataloging rules and interpretations from Library of Congress. This paper examines the actual cataloging of those formats as done by several institutions and raises questions such as how to handle these materials in ways which will eliminate redundancy and increase efficiency in the practice of cataloging. Finally, an alternative approach, drawing on AACR2 practice in other areas, is suggested.     

Real Access as the Paradigm of the Nineties

No abstract available for this article.     

Impact of Holdings on Resource Sharing

No abstract available for this article.     

The Use of Optical Disk in Law Libraries

This paper explores optical disk technology and how it might be, and is being, applied in law libraries. The basics of optical disks are covered: what they are, what their advantages and disadvantages are in terms of storage capacity, durability, speed, cost, and information retrieval. A sampling of commercial products is provided and some implications for the future of law libraries are discussed.     

Skating on Thin Intermediation: Can Libraries Survive?

ABSTRACT

Predictions about the end of libraries point to a real crisis, but assign the wrong cause. Libraries will not be displaced by technology like Google, but can be undermined by librarians’ own reactions to patron demand for Google-like experiences. Librarians can respond with a “weak model” that prioritizes the satisfaction of patrons, or a “strong model” that recognizes higher values rooted in the status of librarianship as a profession. Although recent trends favor the dominance of the weak model, only by embracing the strong model can librarians survive the challenges that threaten libraries.     

Applications of Computers in the Legal Profession A Selected Bibliography

No abstract available for this article.     

The Rise of the Small: The Effects of Industry Consolidation on Small Legal Publishers

Summary

The legal publishing industry has experienced waves of acquisition and consolidation, with almost all of the established players becoming affiliated with either Thomson or Reed Elsevier. A widespread assumption is that this consolidation is driving out the smaller participants in the market, especially in conjunction with the expansion of free Web sites for primary source material. It is presumed that the entrepreneurs who have smaller, profit-based companies are becoming less interested in the market due to financial pressures, increased difficulty of capturing market share, and threat of acquisition (friendly or hostile).

In order to confirm or refute this assumption, the author reviews the industry consolidations, describes the delineation of representative small legal publishers, and analyzes their responses to questions about how the recent industry changes have affected their strategies, markets and product lines. The resulting picture is of an environment much different than that painted by current media pundits. Contrary to the presumption of a disappearing landscape of small players, there is a positive perception of “ripe opportunity” pushing companies into this marketplace-companies armed with new technology tools and strong convictions that they can reach customers ready and willing to do old business in new ways. The small publishers seem to be weathering the climactic industry changes, and have expectations of growth and expansion.     

Urban Youth's Perspectives on Flash Mobs

Flash mobs are new, emerging, and evolving social phenomena that have recently been associated with youth violence in the US cities. The current study explores how youth understand flash mobs through focus groups conducted in Kansas City, Missouri (a site of violent youth flash mobs). Results indicate that youth have varying familiarity with flash mobs and define them in different ways; that youth perceive youth boredom to be the most frequent cause of problems with flash mobs; that youth connect ongoing social disorder with the violence associated with flash mobs; and that while social media are facilitators of flash mobs, flash mobs have their roots in youth activities that have been going on for generations (e.g., hanging out in groups and cruising). Results illustrate the importance of conducting formative research with youth, particularly about emergent phenomena, when developing interventions and communication campaigns aimed at reducing youth violence.     

Research Dollars in Health and Biomedicine :

No abstract available for this article.     

The Online Catalog and Reference Services

No abstract available for this article.