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Proceedings of the International Conference on Scientific Information Two Volumes (1959) / Chapter Skim
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Proposed Scope of Area 4
Pages 665-670

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 665...
... These systems range in size from the small coLections maintained by an individual to the very largest libraries; in degree of organization from those arranged only by random order of accession to those involving highly specialized classification, indexing and coding schemes; and in methodology from simple hand operations through large manual systems such as card catalogs to special collections that are partially mechanized. AD of these systems are effective to some degree for some particular local use.
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From page 666...
... However, it is thought that carefully detailed studies of individual systems can be used as the basis for comparative analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of these various systems. These studies should include common factors pertinent to comparative performance evaluation.
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From page 667...
... 6 Storage of search entries: whether combined with storage of items; total storage capacity required; density; media used; whether media erasable and reusable; whether compartmentalized; cost; time to store an entry, and so forth. 7 Formulation of search questions: whether special knowledge of classification, indexing, and coding schemes is required to formulate questions; kind of people who interrogate system; tools available to assist searcher in framing his question; whether question must be encoded or inscribed before processing; time required to formulate questions; time required to encode or inscribe questions, and so forth.
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From page 668...
... ; access time; cost of retrieval; cost of reproduction if any; whether original physically removed; tolerance for delays in accessibility due to prior retrieval or reproduction; time to restore removed items to storage; cost of restoring removed items to proper place; number of items to be retrieved in a given time, and so forth. Revision of system: ease of adding new items to collection or of replacing obsolete items; extent to which reclassification becomes necessary and at what time intervals; effort required to effect partial or complete reclassifications; effort required to re-encode entries for items reclassified; time required to make changes in classification, indexing, and coding schemes; cost of making such changes; effort required to insert new or revised search entries into system; effort required to reorganize compartmentalization or fractionation of storage; capabilities required of personnel or mechanisms in putting changes into effect; tolerance for use of dual systems during reorganization or reclassification; extent to which machines used for search anct/or retrieval maintain statistics on actual use; extent to which storage system is self-organizing, and so forth.
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From page 669...
... Such material should also be useful to Areas s and 6. Recommendationsfor Papers It is recommended that papers on the description of storage and search systems currently in use should include consideration of both those using manual methods and those using mechanized techniques, and should reflect the diŁer~ng needs of different types of users from the individual scholar to the largest library center.
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Key Terms

  • effort required
  • coding schemes
  • access time
  • objective accounts
  • training required

  • removed items
  • formulate questions
  • storage capacity
  • capacity required
  • storage media

  • extra selections
  • information storage
  • total storage
  • desired information
  • index items

  • association reference
  • replacing obsolete
  • comparative performance
  • comparative studies
  • maintain statistics

  • pertinent data
  • performance evaluation
  • inscribe questions
  • special knowledge
  • media erasable

  • using manual
  • specialized classification
  • items reclassified
  • original physically
  • restore removed


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