This article provides an overview of computer-based catalogue systems designed for use by library clients, seeing present day discovery systems on the same trajectory as the older online public access catalogues (OPACs) which they are gradually replacing, both in technical development and their approach to client use scenarios. It traces the history of the OPAC/discovery system from its origins in the library automation of the 1960s through to the present and discusses the main technical standards which have formed its development. The article goes on to consider questions relating to the usability of electronic library catalogues and highlights semiotic and ethical issues inherent to their design. It concludes with reflections on the future of the OPAC/discovery system in an information universe apparently dominated by the Internet search engine.
Wisdom is one of many human mental capabilities. Mental vitality is stereotypically associated with youth and mental decline with old age. However, also aging is a price of wisdom. The connection between neurological decline (senility, dementias) and wisdom development during aging is referred to as the paradox of wisdom.
The emergence of information and technology anthropology, and cyborg anthropology at this point runs along a side route. Anthropology of information and technology is the use of the anthropological approach in information science and vice versa, information science should be one of the most important anthropological sciences.
The first part of the article focuses on the semiotic perspective of information theory, the second part, however, is based on the mathematical model of epidemiology or on the notion that information spreads like an infectious disease. This opens up a broad field of information and communication ecology.
The paper presents the situation in Serbian village libraries. It also points out that these libraries do not keep pace with the development of library and information activities in Serbia and that among their users, similar to those in public libraries in cities, there is only a small number of farmers.
Information is part of the data-information-knowledge-wisdom (DIKW) “spectrum”. In optics, “spectrum” is a complete range of rainbow colours into which white light is separated when it passes through a glass prism. Based on conclusions different sciences have come to that relate to data, information, knowledge and understanding of meaning, as well as to memory, intelligence, consciousness and wisdom, a renewed theory of information is needed.
The paper deals with the history, operation and organization of the Library and Information Association of New Zealand (LIANZA). It shows the general characteristics and development of the Association and its role in the social, cultural and economic life of New Zealand.
As library functions are slowly turning into library and information activities, also traditional library education at library schools is merging with new information contents. If the task of such schools is to educate librarians, the task of employers is to provide them with adequate training. Both are joined by occupation.
