Networked Information Resources Research Articles

DIGITAL UNIVERSITY. CONCEPT OF CREATION

The article deals with the problem of creating and implementing a digital university. The author defines a digital university as a certain mega-educational service implemented on the basis of digital intelligent protocols for training specialists in various fields with a view to obtaining higher education and supporting research and educational activities. The component architecture of cognitive services of a digital university is defined as a technological basis for the provision of educational services. The following system components are defined: scientific education, world view, ontology, taxonomy of information resources, transdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity of information resources, transdisciplinary education, cognitive technologies, knowledge capsule, narrative of information resources, university capacity, educational logistics, etc. The article describes educational and technological areas and their system components, which include: the formation of transdisciplinary educational clusters of scientific, educational and methodological literature; automatic systematization, classification and ordering by certain parameters of descriptions of scientific, scientific, technical and educational products and publications recommended for use in the educational process; creation of curricula in an ontological format; information and analytical assessment of the scientific relevance of the content of narratives of academic disciplines to modern challenges of development of specialized knowledge systems; creation of interactive knowledge bases on thematic profiles of academic disciplines; creation of a library of knowledge capsules for different curricula; formation of a digital image of each university teacher and each department; formation of classrooms for each student, taking into account the profile of his/her studies; formation of a digital image of each student, determination of evaluation criteria. The method of transdisciplinary consolidation of networked information and educational resources and knowledge systems in the operational environment of student research and educational activities is described. Characteristics of the cognitive-communicative scenario of consolidated interaction of students with digital narratives, educational assets and teachers are provided. The article presents the characteristics of the two-circuit operational space of a digital university and generalizes the scheme of consolidated interaction of a student with the educational resources of a digital university.

Interrelationships of organisation and E-business strategies with E-business readiness, intensity and impact in Nigerian Universities

Electronic business, which involves deploying information technologies to drive business processes, promises substantial gains for institutions like universities. However, the gains can be realized only when universities invest strategically in appropriate e-business resources and processes that sync with their institutional goals and strategies. Nigerian universities have over many years been implementing several networked information resources used to support their usual, research, teaching, administration as well as public outreach activities. However, they need to know how well such investments are helping to achieve their goals. The study adopted the Technology, Organisation and Environment framework (TOE) as its research model, while descriptive survey design was implemented to collect data. Eighteen universities were selected using stratified random sampling, this comprised one private, state and federal from each of the six geo-political zones in Nigeria, data were collected from 160 management and 90 Information Technology staff using a structured and validated questionnaire which was subjected to Pearson correlation analyses and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The correlation analyses revealed moderate positive relationship between organisational strategy (OS) and e-business strategy (ES), strong positive relationship between e-business strategy and e-business readiness (ER), moderate positive relationship between e-business readiness and e-business intensity (EI), weak positive linear relationship between e-business intensity and e-business impact (EM), and weak positive relationship between e-business impact and organisational strategy (OS). The estimated inner model of the PLS-SEM showed statistically significant path correlations between OS and ES (0.48), ES and ER (0.86), ER and EI (0.60), and EI and EM (0.43), while the hypothesised path relationship between EM and OS was negative and insignificant. The study concluded that the university management needs to better synchronize their organisational objectives and strategies with their e-business (technology) strategies to improve their e-business readiness and use the resources more intensively for greater impact on their institutional objectives.

Solutions for IRBIS users authorization via Internet-portals and local networks with OpenLDAP, SQUID-proxy and FreeRadius software packages

Software solutions for IRBIS user authentification using LDAP protocol and OpenLDAP server, as well as IRBIS user authentification options for Internet resources through Squid proxy-server and Radius www-server are discussed. These solutions can be used for authentification of local and remote users of libraries’ networked information resources, and Wi-Fi user authentification within the library physical space.

ネットワーク情報資源と図書館・情報サービスの将来 (特集:インターネット)

ネットワーク情報資源と図書館・情報サービスの将来 (特集:インターネット)

Network Information Resources as an Object of Bibliographing

Significant growth of the number of electronic (digital) information resources, the increase of their share in the total structure of the sources of information is a modern trend. The term “resource” is becoming a replacement of the terms “document”, “publication”, including as the objects of bibliographing as well. There should be allocated the following groups of network information resources: firstly, web sites, web portals, electronic libraries, collections of documents, various web services and databases — multifunctional, multi-component systems of various documents, files, services, etc.; secondly, electronic documents (online media and publications, including the “networked self-publishing”). It is important to distinguish original network documents, digital copies and versions (analogues) of paper documents. Electronic information resources, including networked, now presented in a variety of bibliographic sources, can be an independent object of bibliographic reflection, however, the main trend — is the inclusion of information on the networked information resources along with the printed editions and publications in practically all types of bibliographical production. Together with the original electronic editions and publications, available only in the information and telecommunication networks, primarily in the Internet, it is advisable to include information on the available in the free remote access electronic copies or versions (analogues) of the printed documents, reflected in the generated catalogue, index, database, etc.

Exploring network literacy among students of St. Joseph's Theological Institute in South Africa

The main purpose of this study was to explore the level of network literacy among theological students at St. Joseph's Theological Institute. The survey research method was used and the data collected through a self-administered questionnaire and an in-depth interview with the Librarian. The entire population of 188 students was surveyed; only 65 students responded. Findings revealed that the major problems facing Internet users at St. Joseph's were the shortage of computers and lack of training in the use of Internet facilities. Further, students did not use a wide variety of Internet resources, had limited skills and knowledge to access networked information resources and made limited use of computer-mediated communication tools. Recommendations concerning network literacy at the Institute were made and suggestions for further research are put forward

A Webometric Analysis of selected Institutes of National Importance Websites in India

It has been experienced that web based information resources have great role to play in academic and research activities. Keeping this fact in view information professionals are largely depending upon the web based information re- sources. A huge amount of data in every subject stream is available on different websites. Internet is a network of networks carrying information on almost any subject under the sun. Everybody today would like to be on internet because of wealth of information that lies there to be exchanged. And, with its global connections and millions of users, the internet is world's biggest electronic library and publish gathering place, which contain a vast amount of information. Information professionals and users face a number of challenges in networked information resources and service environment. But problem is only one that how to retrieve desired information. Many attempts were made and solution comes as 'webometrics'. In this paper an attempt has been made to describe this concept.

국가장서개발정책 기본모형 연구

정보자원의 지속적 증가와 다양화 그리고 네트워크를 이용한 정보 접근과 활용 등 정보환경의 변화로 도서관 장서개발 정책은 더욱 정교하게 변화되어야 하는 상황에 있다. 국립중앙도서관은 이러한 시대적 조류를 반영하고 그 역할과 사명을 다하기 위하여 보다 체계적이고 합리적인 국가장서개발정책을 수립해야 할 것이다. 본 연구에서는 우리나라와 주요 선진국의 국립도서관 장서개발정책을 조사하고 이를 기반으로 우리나라 국가장서 구축을 위한 기본모형을 도출하였다. 기본모형은 크게 하이브리드장서 구축, 협동연계장서 구축, 장서 평가, 그리고 장서개발정책 성문화 등 네 가지의 서브모형으로 구성되어 있다. 모형별 세부 내용과 추진방안이 제시되었다.

OCLC 1998–2008: Weaving Libraries into the Web

ABSTRACT The author briefly reviews OCLC's history form 1967 to 1998, then focuses on the accomplishments and activities of the OCLC cooperative from 1998 to 2008. Particular attention is given to OCLC's strategy of weaving libraries into the World Wide Web and the transformation of WorldCat from a bibliographic database into a globally networked information resource.

Networked information and clinical decision making: the experience of Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull National Health Service Trust (Teaching)

Objectives The paper presents the findings of the evaluation of a pilot project to introduce networked information resources into clinical settings in a large NHS Trust and describes the subsequent developments of networked information within the Trust. Design The main purpose of the evaluation was to ascertain whether access to electronic journals and other resources via a networked system offered real benefits to clinical effectiveness. Setting Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull NHS Trust (Teaching). Subjects Medical and administrative staff at Birmingham and Solihull NHS Trust. Results The main conclusions of the evaluation were that: (1) appropriate location of terminals close to clinical areas is vital to ensure that best use is made of networked information resources; (2) rapid access to networked information services saves staff time and allows educational opportunities to be realized; (3) networked information resources enhance rather than replace existing information sources; (4) training and support are essential to maximizing the benefits of networked information services, and (5) such a network can support clinical decision making. Conclusions With the development of clinical governance, the clinical network has assumed even greater importance within the Trust. Timely and easy access to clinical and educational information is crucial to the practice of evidence-based medicine which underpins high quality clinical care. The evaluation led to a number of recommendations which have since been used to develop the clinical network at Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull NHS Trust.

Libraries and networked information services: issues and consideration in measurement

The Internet is an integral part of library service that can take many forms – an extension of library collections and resources through licensed and/or digitized content, a gateway service through public access workstations, or as a means through which customers can interact with the library through such services as digital reference. Along with these evolving forms of electronic library services, there is a need to examine our ability to engage in a multi‐faceted assessment of network‐based information services and resources that includes input/output evaluation approaches as well as those grounded in service quality, outcomes, and other frameworks as determined by the data needs of the library. Information professionals, and those relying on information professionals, face a number of challenges in the networked information resources and services environment. Meeting these challenges requires a variety of issues and strategies for libraries to consider, particularly when engaging in evaluation activities.

A Knowledge Network Constructed by Integrating Classification, Thesaurus and Metadata in Digital Library

For the digital libraries of China, the development of networked information resources, especially of metadata, is still a principal task. In the same time, a huge amount of information resources has been accumulated and the exploitation of them is far from sufficient. The current chief utility-keyword search undermines seriously the potential values of them, especially the metadata, for the metadata contain valuable content description and indexing information. To solve this problem, we devise a new paradigmintegrated knowledge network. It is formed by merging the classification and thesaurus into a concept network and then distributing the metadata records into the concept nodes according to their subjects, just like the shelving of the metadata. We have built an experiment system Vision by incorporating a portion of the Chinese Classification and Thesaurus with the bibliographic data of computing domain from Peking University Library. Such a knowledge network is not only a framework for metadata organizing, but also a structure for knowledge navigation, retrieval and learning, and we believe it will be a catalyst for the digital libraries to come to knowledge management.

A Knowledge Network Constructed by Integrating Classification, Thesaurus, and Metadata in Digital Library

For the digital libraries of China, the development of networked information resources, especially of metadata, is still a principal task. At the same time, many information resources have been accumulated and the exploitation of them is far from sufficient. The current chief utility — keyword search undermines seriously the potential value of information resources, especially the metadata, which contains valuable content description and indexing information. To solve this problem, we have devised a new paradigm — an integrated knowledge network. It is formed by merging the classification and thesaurus into a concept network and then distributing the metadata records into the concept nodes according to their subjects, just like the “shelving” of the metadata. We have built an experimental system, VISION, by incorporating a portion of the Chinese Classification and Thesaurus with the bibliographic data of the computing domain from Peking University Library. Such a knowledge network is not only a framework for metadata organizing, but also a structure for knowledge navigation, retrieval, and learning, and we believe it will be a catalyst for better knowledge management in digital libraries.

A Knowledge Network Constructed by Integrating Classification, Thesaurus, and Metadata in Digital Library

For the digital libraries of China, the development of networked information resources, especially of metadata, is still a principal task. At the same time, many information resources have been accumulated and the exploitation of them is far from sufficient. The current chief utility — keyword search undermines seriously the potential value of information resources, especially the metadata, which contains valuable content description and indexing information. To solve this problem, we have devised a new paradigm — an integrated knowledge network. It is formed by merging the classification and thesaurus into a concept network and then distributing the metadata records into the concept nodes according to their subjects, just like the “shelving” of the metadata. We have built an experimental system, VISION, by incorporating a portion of the Chinese Classification and Thesaurus with the bibliographic data of the computing domain from Peking University Library. Such a knowledge network is not only a framework for metadata organizing, but also a structure for knowledge navigation, retrieval, and learning, and we believe it will be a catalyst for better knowledge management in digital libraries.

Discovering Networked Information in the Internet Age: The JISC Resource Guide to Geography & the Environment

As networked information resources are used ever more in higher edu cation, the requirement for subject-specific, quality-assured resource selection assumes greater importance. The UK's Joint Information Systems Committee has implemented the Resource Guide initiative in which seven subject-specific printed and web-based guides to electronic resources have been provided. The centralised coordination of the guides ensures consistency in resource awareness across UK higher education and the training element packaged within each aims to improve students' approaches to resource discovery.

Networked information resources and classification (<Special feature> The current state of documentation)

Networked information resources and classification (<Special feature> The current state of documentation)

Sorting Out the Web: Approaches to Subject Access (review)

Sorting out the Web is a solid introductory text on the topics of subject analysis, classification, and organization of information on the Web. It is directed to students, educators, and information professionals "who wish to find out more about subject approaches to networked information resource discovery" (back cover). The author, a professor in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Simmons College and former President of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, has produced a well organized, thoroughly researched book in which her background in cataloging and in teaching information organization and retrieval is readily apparent.

Spectrum

Over the past five years, librarians, humanities computing researchers, and computer scientists have been working to establish standards for encoding and accessing local and networked electronic information resources. These standards are just now being put into practice by their corresponding user communities, and their application provides opportunities for exploring synergies among the various approaches used. The OCLC Office of Research Cataloging Internet Resources project is investigating the relationship among three of these: the Machine-Readable Cataloging (MARC) format used by librarians, the Text Encoding Initiative (TEI) Header developed by humanities computing researchers, and the emerging Uniform Resource Citation (URC) standard for accessing materials on the World Wide Web. One result of our analysis is a prototype Web-based tool called Spectrum that enables individuals without specialized knowledge of library cataloging or markup to create records describing the bibliographic and location elements of networked electronic resources of various types.

Networked information and clinical decision making: the experience of Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull National Health Service Trust (Teaching).

The paper presents the findings of the evaluation of a pilot project to introduce networked information resources into clinical settings in a large NHS Trust and describes the subsequent developments of networked information within the Trust. The main purpose of the evaluation was to ascertain whether access to electronic journals and other resources via a networked system offered real benefits to clinical effectiveness. Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull NHS Trust (Teaching). Medical and administrative staff at Birmingham and Solihull NHS Trust. The main conclusions of the evaluation were that: (1) appropriate location of terminals close to clinical areas is vital to ensure that best use is made of networked information resources; (2) rapid access to networked information services saves staff time and allows educational opportunities to be realized; (3) networked information resources enhance rather than replace existing information sources; (4) training and support are essential to maximizing the benefits of networked information services, and (5) such a network can support clinical decision making. With the development of clinical governance, the clinical network has assumed even greater importance within the Trust. Timely and easy access to clinical and educational information is crucial to the practice of evidence-based medicine which underpins high quality clinical care. The evaluation led to a number of recommendations which have since been used to develop the clinical network at Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull NHS Trust.

Developing multi‐agent systems with a FIPA‐compliant agent framework

To ease large-scale realization of agent applications there is an urgent need for frameworks, methodologies and toolkits that support the effective development of agent systems. Moreover, since one of the main tasks for which agent systems were invented is the integration between heterogeneous software, independently developed agents should be able to interact successfully. In this paper, we present JADE (Java Agent Development Environment), a software framework to build agent systems for the management of networked information resources in compliance with the FIPA specifications for inter-operable intelligent multi-agent systems. The goal of JADE is to simplify development while ensuring standard compliance through a comprehensive set of system services and agents. JADE can then be considered to be an agent middle-ware that implements an efficient agent platform and supports the development of multi-agent systems. It deals with all the aspects that are not peculiar to agent internals and that are independent of the applications, such as message transport, encoding and parsing, or agent life-cycle management. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.