Use Of Microforms Research Articles

Characterizing Peatland Microtopography Using Gradient and Microform-Based Approaches

Peatlands represent an important component of the global carbon cycle, storing 180–621 Gt of carbon (C). Small-scale spatial variations in elevation, frequently referred to as microtopography, influence ecological processes associated with the peatland C cycle, including Sphagnum photosynthesis and methane flux. Microtopography can be characterized with measures of topographic variability and by using conceptual classes (microforms) linked to function: most commonly hummocks and hollows. However, the criteria used to define these conceptual classes are often poorly described, if at all, and vary between studies. Such inconsistencies compel development of explicit quantitative methods to classify microforms. Furthermore, gradient-based characterizations that describe spatial variability without the use of microforms are lacking in the literature. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (1) calculate peatland microtopographical elevation gradients and measures of spatial variability, (2) develop three microform classification methods intended for specific purposes, and (3) evaluate and contrast classification methods. Our results suggest that at spatial scales much larger than microforms, elevation distributions are unimodal and are well approximated with parametric probability density functions. Results from classifications were variable between methods and years and exhibited significant differences in mean hollow areal coverages of a raised ombrotrophic bog. Our results suggest that the conceptualization and classification of microforms can significantly influence microtopographic structural metrics. The three explicit methods for microform classification described here may be used and built upon for future applications.

The Development and Management of a University Microforms Collection

Microforms emerged as a major means of acquiring library resources during the '60s, and libraries acquired a large number of titles in this format. The management of these materials was frequently neglected, however. Further growth in the '70s increased the need for their control. The development and growth of the University of Oklahoma Libraries Microforms Area is described, and reasons for managerial decisions are provided. Construction of a new building led library personnel to design a new Microforms Area with a user-friendly atmosphere. Factors contributing to the successful use of microforms and the need to continue to develop and maintain microform collections are discussed.

The Reference Department Budget in the High Tech Era

Machine-based information products, such as optical disc databases and microforms, compete with traditional print resources for limited budgets in today's reference departments. The authors surveyed the reference departments of 159 large academic libraries regarding their use of optical discs, and 19 libraries regarding their use of microforms. Despite the high cost of the first generation of optical disc systems, 55% of the reference departments reported using them. User response to the systems is generally very favorable. Problems noted by librarians included equipment failure, uneven database quality, and frequent need to service the systems. Respondents overwhelmingly felt that optical discs will play a significant role in the future of reference service. However, until equipment compatibility problems are resolved and system prices drop, prudent reference librarians will purchase optical discs selectively. The survey of 19 California State University libraries on their use of microforms revealed that...

The Use of Microforms in Libraries

The use of microforms in libraries has grown over the past ten years, and microform will continue to be an appropriate medium for preserving certain types of materials. The future use of microforms is clouded by the potential storage capabilities of the new disc technologies. Yet noteworthy advances have been made in the bibliographic control of microforms and in the quality of readers and printers available. A review of the recent literature traces the changes in microform use and technology and the increased emphasis on educating users to the benefits of microforms.

Technical Processing of U.S. Government Printing Office Publications:

A review of library literature indicates a continuing concern for the lack of access to government publications. Among the many reasons suggested for the limited use of documents is the limited technical processing applied to documents in various libraries. This article examines the historical development of the technical processing of documents and briefly reviews the potential application of computer-assisted techniques in processing and accessing government publications. Following a discussion of the Guelph Document System and CODOC as working models of documents control systems, the paper considers additional automation strategies and examines such issues as the need to catalog or otherwise process documents, the training of documents librarians for online processing, the increasing use of microforms in documents publications, and the role of equipment and materials vendors in the processing of documents. The article concludes by discussing prospects for future technical processing of documents.

The Use of Microforms in Interlibrary Services

L'importance des microformes pour le pret interbibliotheque est un sujet trop souvent neglige. Pour remedier a cette lacune, 39 bibliotheques de l'Illinois partie prenante du reseau d'information ILLINET ont ete questionnees en 82 sur ce sujet. Une etude comparative des couts selon les systemes envisages a ete largement entreprise

Prestel and public libraries: an LA/ Aslib experiment

From time to time in the information and library world, something comes along in the way of a new idea or a new piece of technology which we feel is likely to have a significant effect on the way we do things in our professional lives. During the last fifteen years or so, the new developments have included post‐coordinate indexing systems, electrostatic copiers, the use of computers in batch mode, citation indexing, computer typesetting, on‐line search of remotely‐stored data bases, the growth of networks, The National Lending Library at Boston Spa, routine use of microforms, the British Library, and so on. There are usually a few new things either just on the scene or lurking below the horizon, like microprocessors, word processing equipment, Public Lending Right, possible new copyright legislation, the European Patents Office and possibly Euronet, which cause us to worry, perhaps, or to want to find out more about them. Finding out about any of these things, though, hasn't been too much of a problem, because we have been able to do a conventional literature search through the scholarly and professional journals, or through Government publications, and get by these means a pretty good idea of what has been going on. What I am going to talk about tonight though, Prestel, isn't really like that at all. For one thing, most of the publication about it has been in the popular press, in the shape of new announcements and press releases, with very little in the conventional journals (apart from one or two papers in the electronics and electrical press). For another thing, it seems to have come upon us relatively rapidly, even though, paradoxically, its promised public advent has been beset by a variety of delays. Then too, whereas other technological advances have appeared in different areas of human activity and have gradually infiltrated into the information and library world, here we have a radically new type of information supplying service which suddenly appears more or less full‐grown in our world from a possibly unexpected quarter. And, of course, the creature changed its name from Viewdata to Prestel not very long ago, which has not greatly helped our confusion.

The Use of Microforms in Academic Reference Collections and Services

The Use of Microforms in Academic Reference Collections and Services