Book Reviews

Essays of an Information Scientist, Vol. VI. Eugene Garfield.
Philadelphia, PA: IS1 Press; 1984: xix-673 pp. Price: $25.00
ISBN 0-89495-032-O.
It is with great trepidation that one approaches a collection
of essays by Eugene Garfield, founder and president of the ln-
stitute for Scientific Information (ISI). One does not know
whether to write a review of a book or a testimonial to an institu-
tion. Garfield is perhaps best known for his pioneering work in
citation indexing, and through the development of ISI’s Sci-
ewe Citrttion Index (SCI), Social Sciences Citation Index
(SSCI), and Arts R Humunities Citutiotl Index (A&HCl), he
not only revolutionized information retrieval but also estab-
lished the empirical basis for new breakthroughs in the history
and sociology of knowledge as well as library collection develop-
ment. ISI’s citation indexes achieved the status of standard
tools for academic evaluation when they were adopted as the
measure of publication performance by the recent Assessment
of Research-Doctorate Programs in the United States spon-
sored by the American Council of Learned Societies, American
Council on Education, National Research Council, and Social
Science Research Council [I].
The above volume follows the pattern of the previous ones
[2] in that its first part cumulates Garfield’s “Current Com-
ments” columns. which have been a weekly feature of Currerzt
Contents since 1972. However, whereas the earlier ones covered
at least two years, the decision was made with the publication of
this sixth volume to issue the Essu~~s annually, and therefore the
“Current Comments” columns in it are only from the year 1983.
In return, the reduced chronological scope has made it possible
to include a large appendix containing a selection of Garfield’s
papers which have never been published in Current Contents.
These papers span a period of about twenty-five years, begin-
ning in the early 195Os, and they show the evolution of auto-
mated indexing techniques. In conformity with the established
custom, the sixth volume of the Essays is introduced by one of
Garfield’s noted acquaintances, this time by the Soviet statisti-
cian and philosopher of science, Vasilii Nalimov.
Once called “the mobt heavily cited cab-driver of all time”
131. Garfield writes in a loquacious style, and his interests are
wide-ranging. Taking Garfield himself as a model in this matter
(p. xviii), one can classify the potpourri of the “Current Com-
ments” essays in this volume under the following broad subject
headings: “general science, ” including those on third-world sci-
entific research, the awards of science, scientific eponyms, sci-
entific editors’ associations, and artificial intelligence; “health-
related concerns,” encompassing essays on sleep disorders,
schizophrenia, prolongevity research, hospital libraries, and
child safety; and “personality tributes,” represented by encomi-
urns to Scott Adams, Sol Spiegelman, and Robert K. Merton,
as well as several essays on the winners of specific scientific
awards. There should also be placed in the latter category Gar-
field’s eulogy to his recently deceased friend, the renowned his-
torian of science, Derek J. de Solla Price, to whom this volume
is dedicated. As is to be expected, many of the essays are based
on citation analysis, and the volume contains numerous lists of
most-cited articles. Never one to shun controversy, Garfield has
also included a carefully thought-out piece on how to use cita-
tion analysis for faculty evaluations, as well as a discussion of
the potential threat of the electronic information industry to
conventional publishing. Then, too, there are some unclassifi-
able essays that outline Garfield’s pet peeves such as “The Tyr-
anny of the Horn-Automobile, That Is” as well as “Striking
Back at Graffiti,” and the entrepreneur in Garfield emerges in
the discussions of IS1 procedures, problems, and new products.
The material in this volume is arranged chronologically by
publication date, and there is a Cited Author Index as well as a
Subject Index to provide specific access to the topics under con-
sideration. Such an arrangement is in accordance with that of
the preceding volumes of the Essays and is a natural one, since
in essence this work is virtually a continuous record of the ideas
and reflections of a dynamic and innovative individual engaged
in the explosive development of a new field of knowledge with
far-reaching ramifications. When all the volumes are regarded
together, Essays of an Information Scientist assume the aspect
of an invaluable assemblage of historical documents on the in-
formation revolution and one of its dominant participants.
However, to obtain a more coherent view of Garfield’s thought,
one should consult his book Citation Indexing [4].
Stephen J. Bensman
Social Scierfcrs Bihliogi-trpher
Troy H. Middleton Lihrrrr?,
LotrisitrrtrrStrrtv U~rrivrrsity
Btrtou Rouge. LA 70803
Committee on an Assessment of Quality-Related Characteristics of
Research-Doctorate Programs in the United States. An Assrss-
ment q(Resenrch-Doctorate Progrunts irt the United St&es. 5 vols.
Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press: 1982. The 5 volumes
have the following subtitles: Biok~~~iculScierlces; Engineering; Hu-
mortities; Mothenztrticul X Physicul Scierrces; and Social & Behuv-
iorul Sriencrs
For example, see: Drott, M. C. Review of J2:ssays qTcrrr Infbrmrrtion
Scientist, Vol. I and II, Eugene Garfield, Jourrrul (u the Anwricur~
Societyfbr Ir!fbrmatiorr Scirrrcr. 28(6):374-375; 1977.
Cronin, B. Review of Essa~~sqJ‘rrrrIt$orrmtiorr Scientist. Vol. III,
Eugene Garfield, Jolrrrrrrl sf‘Iu/ormotiotz Science. 2(6):319; 1980.
Garfield, E. Citution Indexirzg: Its Theor?) urzd Applicrrtion irr Sri-
encr. Technology. urzd Humunities. New York: Wiley; 1979.

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE. 37(3):169-176, 1986 CCC 0002.8231/86/030169-08$04.00
Online Database Search Directory. First edition. Parts one and
two. John Schmittroth, Jr., and Doris Morris Maxfield, Editors.
Detroit: Gale Research Company; 1983: Price of the set $110.00 Number of % of Total
(ISBN O-8103-1698-6, 1SSN 0741-0077). Organizations Organizations
Rank Name of System Accessing in OLDSS
The organizations in this directory are those that will provide
searching of online databases to the general public, or at least to 1. DIALOG Information
some individuals outside their own organizations, through the Systems 1.01 I 88
2. BRS 597 52
use of publicly available online searching systems.
3. OCLC 490 43
Many agencies will be providing their own searching services 4. SDC 371 32
and may wonder why they might need referal information to 5. MEDLARS 353 31
other organizations in competition with them. The answer lies in h. NEXIS 127 II
the proliferation of vendors of database searching systems in the 7. IS1 Search Network 125 II
8. Dow Jones News/Retrieval 124 II
United States and Canada, the geographical scope of this direc- 9. New York Times 106 9
tory. In fact, pages 191 and 192 of part one list 86 different search- IO. RLIN 84 7
ing systems which have been reported as being searched by listed 1I. Info Globe 67 6
agencies. Part two, issued 11 months later, lists 107. It is unlikely 12. Pergamon lnfoLine 66 6
that most libraries have accounts with this many search services. 13. QL systems 62 5
14. WESTLAW 62 5
The basic record contains sixteen items of descriptive infor- 15. LEXIS 60 5
mation on the services including names, addresses, telephone 16. DOE RECON 59 5
numbers, age, staff size, fee and availability policies, and system 17. CAN/OLE 57 5
accessed. 18. Source T&computing 56 5
19. CAS ONLINE 54 5
The problem, it seems to this reviewer, will be in keeping the 20. NIH-EPA Chemical Infor-
material up to date in a rapidly changing field. People and exper- mation System 39 3
tise at the services listed are certainly subject to change.
107 different online systems were reported as being accessed
Nonetheless, the indices to organizations by database searched by respondents.
and systems accessed should be quite valuable. The geographical
index, by state and subarranged by city, (the Canadian section by
city alone) may well be useful for the “where can I get a search Top 20 Dtrttrhcws Rrported USFreyurrrt!v Setrrchrd’
done while I’m in .” sort of question. The search personnel in-
Number of % of Total
dex provides something of a directory to active searchers, and the Organizations Organizations
organization index is useful if one desires to find the main de- Rank Name of Database Accessing in OLDSS
scription of a service without knowledge of its official name. As
an example, entry under “BLISS”. the acronym used by the Mid- I. ERIC 595 52
2. PsyclNFO 529 46
dleton Library at Louisiana State University, will lead you to the 3. MEDLINE 491 43
complete record. 4. BlOSlS Previews 321 28
I suspect that the index by subject area searched will have the 5. ABl/lNFORM 320 28
least value. There are 23 broad topics that the services were asked h. CA Search 234 20
7 Management Contents 162 14
to check if they considered them a specialization. There are ten
8. COMPENDEX 129 11
and three quarter pages of entries for services specializing in Edu- 9. NTIS 129 11
cation, twelve pages specializing in Medicine and the Biosci- 10. Magazine Index 116 IO
ences, nine and a quarter in Social Sciences, and eight in “any Il. SOClAL SCISEARCH 114 IO
topic”, and eight in Science and Technology (which might not in- 12. Comprehensive Dissertation
Index 108
clude Chemistry, Engineering, Medical, or Materials Science, Health Planning & Admin-
13.
which have separate entries). Patents, the smallest specializa- istration 108 9
tion, has entries covering two pages. Since it seems unlikely that 14. SCISEARCH 80
“any topic” can really be a specialty or that one can specialize in IS. INSPEC 76
lb. AGRICOLA 70 6
Science and Technology but not in Chemistry, Bioscience or En-
17. Sociological Abstracts 69
gineering at the same time, one must believe there was some con- 18. TOXLINE 59 5
fusion in the use of these categories. The only question this re- 19. PAIS 56
viewer can conceive of answering with this index is “What search 20. Predicasts Databases 52
services believe that they specialize in one of these topics?” The 21 I different databases were reported as being frequently searched
person with a subject search will, I suspect, first use the geo- by respondents.
graphical index, and then check the physically close entries to see
if they handle the desired topic. *Information taken from O~r/i/w Dotdxrsr SetrrcA Services Diwc-
r/u~l. First edition (Gale. 1984).
However, the availability of this index in no way detracts from
the usefulness of the tool as a whole. Since the indices in the sec-
ond part accumulate those in the first, those in the first are now of Bert R. Boyce
minimal value, and part one is retained only because of its regis- School of Library and Information Science
ter of the first 634 search service entries. The 510 in part two are in Louisiam Stute University
a separate alphabet, but since the index entries reference an entry Btrtorl Rouge, LA 70803
number, this provides no serious problem.
The following chart provided by Gale, with its publicity re-
lease and derived from the directory, may be of interest to JASIS
readers.

170 JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE-May 1986

Adaptive Control of Ill-Defined Systems; Oliver G. Selfridge, so that it can serve as a useful introduction to further study.
Edwina L. Kissland, and Michael A. Arbib eds., NATO Con- Consequently, this volume can be used as an introduction and
ference Series, Series II: Systems Science, London: Plenum guide to the study of a wide range of disciplines, as well as a
Press; 1984: 348 pp. Price: $48.50. means of updating one’s knowledge in any of these areas. A fur-
ther strength of the volume is its embodiment of the spirit of
This volume presents a set of papers based on the NATO
excitement and cooperation of the contributors and their co-
Advanced Research Institute on Adaptive Control of Ill-De-
workers; there is a sense of colleagueship and absence of fac-
fined Systems held in Moretonhampstead, England, in June
tionalism that is refreshing to see in a field so intrinsically ill-
1981. The goal of the conference was to “analyze the current
defined as to be conducive to much conflict.
technology and the current problems, and to assess the possibil-
Unfortunately, the strengths of the book also lead to its
ities and to formulate a program” for this area of study. The
weaknesses: it is difficult to organize such a wide and interest-
book, published in 1983, represents an editing and updating of
ing range of material. Reading the book through, one does not
the papers presented at that conference; it aims to “evaluate the
experience an adequate continuity. The book would impart a
control techniques that may be applicable when the system is
greater sense of coherence if there was more introductory and
not well defined . . (to) analyze the state of the art, propose
interconnecting editorial comment. Early in the book, for ex-
new approaches, and discuss possible applications and implica-
ample, one passes abruptly from reading of the light searching
tions.”
meanderings of one-celled organisms to the subtleties of eco-
This is an ambitious aim, partly because of the ill-defined
nomic regulation, in a very few pages. This can lead to feeling
nature of the systems considered, and partly because of the
awkwardly akin to one’s unicellular colleagues in searching for
range of systems: complex communication networks, biological
a more lucid experience of continuity between the topics.
systems, economic systems, human control systems involving
Another difficulty is that the range of material taxes the
learning, man-machine interactive systems, and others. To or-
background of the reader. Without sophistication in fields as
ganize their presentation, the editors divide their book into six
diverse as physics and neurology, for example, one can feel re-
sections. The first, “Perspectives,” presents perspectives, defi-
peatedly set adrift by terms such as “ergodic,” “rolando-parie-
nitions, and a set of statements of the problems to be addressed
tal area.” or “ideopraxic deficit.” Since the book concerns
throughout the text. It begins with an introductory statement by
fields as diverse as music theory, linguistics, developmental psy-
the editors of the themes to be addressed. A second chapter is
chology, economics, typing, and many others, all but the very
devoted to intrinsic problems of the interaction of humans with
complete “Rennaissance Person” of the 80’s must wish for a
machines; it demonstrates how this interaction produces an in-
glossary of terms and for more frequently intercalated editorial
trinsic ill-definedness into any such system. Next follow exposi-
commentary. These would doubtless broaden the appeal of the
tions of some basic building blocks, or “primitives,” of intelli-
book.
gence in unicellular organisms, a discussion of intrinsic
None of these difficulties, however, seriously mar the work.
difficulties of control methods in economics, and a discussion of
One imagines, in fact, that workers in the arena of ill-defined
historical perspectives on views of adaption in biological sys-
systems are particularly impervious to such difficulty. In a
tems. The presentations in this section serve to exemplify the
sense, the book is an exemplification of its content: its structure
issues and problems addressed in greater detail throughout the
is ill-defined in a way that demands an adaptive effort of the
book.
reader to experience it as a viable whole. And in sum, the effort
The next section, “Control Theory and Non-Linear Analy-
would seem worthwhile: it is a useful introduction and update
sis,” presents three papers on theories of modeling and control
to a rapidly broadening and deepenjng area of study, though
of complex systems by using well-known and well-defined tech-
one might hope in the future for a somewhat more smoothly
niques of control theory and nonlinear analysis. The “optimal
organized presentation.
control model” is presented in its application to models of con-
trol of manual performance tasks; as such, it illustrates the use Andrew Abarbanel
of a well-defined model of a system involving human adaptation
and learning. The remainder of the section presents further
quantitative treatment of regulation, feedback. adaptation,
control and modeling of complex systems, both physical and bi-
ological. The state of the art, current controversies, and sug-
x Online Information Systems Use and Operating Cbaracteris-
gested avenues for further work are discussed.
tics, Limitations, and Design Alternatives. Brenda Gerrie.
The remainder of the book presents in-depth studies of the
Arlington, VA: Information Resources Press; 1983: 189 pp.
ill-defined systems in the arenas of artificial intelligence. motor
(ISBN 0-87815-047-I)
skill acquisition, control and description of language acquisi-
tion, brain function and adaptation to injury, and psychological This is an excellent book. It would serve well as an introduc-
development. The range of material is too broad to review here tion to current and past thought on the retrieval process. Gerrie
in any detail. Emphasis is placed on review of historical ante- covers the same general ground as Van Rijsbergen’s classic III-
cedents, current state-of-the-art developments, and conceptual [&/~~cc~ior>He/ri&~~~/ ] 1J and, with considerably less detail. that
issues and complexities. Systems discussed include artificial in- covered by Salton and McGill in I~zr~od~ctio~ to Modr>rrr Infor-
telligence devices and models, the structure and modeling of the rntttiort Kctrievul 121. The difference is that the author gives us
human central nervous system, the acquisition of language in the concepts without recourse to mathematical formulation, ex-
children, and developmental psychology generally. cept where absolutely necessary. This results in some loss in
This collection of papers has many strengths. The range of precision, but striking clarity for the reader without mathemati-
interesting topics presented in itself is impressive. Each chapter cal orientation. Books for this group of readers have been lim-
contains a detailed and up to date (through 1983) bibliography, ited in the past to discussions on the general milieu of online

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE-May 1986 171

 searching systems. and searching methods. and internal design design principles. Doring presents a systems approach to the
left as a black box. 1 believe any literate person can gain from man-machine design. He divides the system life cycle into three
this book a good understanding of how information retrieval components: development phase, realization phase, and opera-
systems work, what the problems are, and how current re- tional phase, and gives references for the activities ergonomists
searchers are addressing these problems. have to perform during these phases. The system approach to er-
gonomics design is explored further by Bubb. He attempts to
The main weakness of the book is its scattered and very lim-
show how machines might be adapted to the properties of the
ited treatment of retrieval effectiveness measures. I find this a
man by describing the object of system ergonomics, the rules for
serious deficiency in a work which attempts to offer its readers the application of system ergonomics, and the starting point of a
“some means of assessing how well these systems work and how system ergonomic analysis.
their design can be improved conceptually.” Nonetheless, intel- The next paper presented by Bernotat discusses the problems
lectual factors which affect retrieval system performance are involved in ergonomics research including experimental prob-
clearly introduced, and I believe, the book should be an early lems, measurement problems, factorial experiments, and the
part of the background reading of anyone who wishes to gain an problems associated with subjects and offers a few general guide-
understanding of the basics of current information retrieval sys- lines and makes recommendations for research and application.
tems. Moraal summarizes the limitations to ergonomic design and fac-
tors affecting human performance.
Bert R. Boyce The next two papers deal with anthropometry. In the first
paper, Jurgens explains the problems that can be encountered
using anthropometric reference systems. Kroemer follows up
this paper with a more detailed paper on engineering anthro-
pometty. He attempts to summarize the current status of engi-
neering anthropometry; he discusses the practical application of
1. Von Rijsbergen, C. J. Irzformation Retrieval, 2nd edition, London: anthropometric information to the modeling and design of
Butterworths; 1979. manned systems for optimal fit to the human. He further lists
2. Salton, G.; McGill, M. J. Introduction to Modern Znformatiorr Re- some useful anthropometric data and sources of anthropometric
trieval, New York: McGraw-Hill; 1983. data including the USAF anthropometric data bank, U.S.
Army, NASA, and ERGODATA. He also lists some useful refer-
ences on techniques to fit equipment to the human operator. In
regard to future research, he notes gaps in the areas of adoles-
Ergonomic Data for Equipment Design. Heinz Schmidtke, Ed. cents, elderly, and handicapped anthropometry.
New York; Plenum Press; 1984: Pp. viii •t 284. Price: 849.50. A detailed presentation on the design of consoles is given by
Ruhmann. He starts by presenting the fundamentals of anthro-
A workshop was sponsored by the Human Factors Special pometric layout of a workstation including lines of sight and vis-
Programme Panel of the Scientific Affairs Division of NATO in ual field and follows by describing design principles for consoles,
Munich in 1982 to exchange the experience collected in the field information boards and panels. A paper by Cushman is also
of ergonomics data for equipment design and to define the unex- about console design, but it contains a more general guideline.
plored areas for future research. A total of 16 papers were pre- The paper on the ergonomics data for the design of body sup-
sented; the covered subjects included: port by Schmidtke is found to be interesting and useful. The in-
. system ergonomics formation in this paper include the ergonomic data for seats at-
as a basic approach to man-machine
tached to the floor, work-chairs, stools, foot-rests, and neck-rests.
system design;
. Wiewille makes a presentation on the design and location of con-
generation of ergonomic data;
. trols. He reviews the existing control systems including bang-
limitations to ergonomic design;
. bang and multi-functional controls and discusses the problems
anthropometric data;
. associated with these control systems and recommends the kinds
data for design of consoles;
. of research to be undertaken in this area. Drury’s paper is about
data for design of body support;
. hand-machine interface. This is a useful paper for persons who
design and location of controls;
. are interested in handle design. The research on handles is sum-
hand-machine interface;
. marized which includes information on handle size, diameter,
database for visual displays and VDUs;
. shape, and surface texture. He also discusses the various handle
ergonomics of software for visual communication;
. positions for manual materials handling.
design of software tools.
Information in regard to the ergonomic database for visual
Even though Ergonomics was a popular field in the 1960’s and display and visual display units (VDUs) is presented by Snyder.
1970’s, very few reference books and materials were available In this paper he surveys the current related data and knowledge,
during that period. For the past several years, as Ergonomics has indicates the data gaps, defines the current activity in research,
gained more popularity and has been applied more frequently in and suggests areas for future research. The areas covered include
work and equipment design, more reference materials have be- gas charge (plasma) displays, electroluminescent displays, liquid
come available for use by the practitioners. In addition to the crystal displays, color displays, interface units, and three-dimen-
published books, proceedings of conferences and symposiums sional displays. This paper is followed by two general papers on
are also available as reference sources. Since a majority of these ergonomics of software for visual communication by Van Meet-
proceedings report on the findings of a specific research project eren and ergonomic design of software tools by Dzida. The last
and are very narrow in scope, they are of little value to the practi- paper is by Kroemer; he states the Munich thesis of ergonomics.
tioners. In contrast, the papers presented at this meeting were of To conclude, this book sets out to be an overview of the cur-
survey-type studies and did not concentrate on a narrowly de- rent work and suggestions for future research on equipment de-
fined subject. Therefore this book may be of some value to de- sign. It succeeds in summarizing the available data more than in
signers. The material covered is general, but concise and to the offering recommendations for future research; some papers do
point. not include a section on suggestions for future research. There
In the lead paper, Schmidtke gives a brief definition and his- are two kinds of papers presented in this book. The first kind
tory of ergonomics and offers some interesting general ergonomics contains detailed information that can be used by researchers

172 JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE-May 1986

and designers and has practical use; examples of this group in-
clude papers on anthropometry and console design. The second
group contains general information and indicates the data gap.
Researchers can benefit a great deal from this group; examples
include papers on VDT software for visual communication.
From a writing style point of view, even though the chapters are
written by different authors in different styles, the editor has
done a commendable job of editing and the book reads well. Con-
sidering the limited technical content and relatively high price,
this book is more suited for researchers than for designers who
need detailed books with more technical information for practical
applications.
F. Aghazadeh
Department qflndustrial Engineering
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Information Seeking: Assessing and Anticipating User Needs.
Ching-Chih Chen and Peter Hermon. New York: Neal-Schuman
Publishers, Inc.; 1982: Price: $22.95.
Chen and Hermon present their findings of their 1979 study
on information-seeking. After an excellent acknowledgment and
review of the basic findings of these studies, the authors proceed
to detail the basic concept of their own work. The research, sup-
ported by the Office of Libraries and Learning Technologies of
the U.S. Department of Education, concerned the information-
seeking patterns of 2,400 residents from the six New England
states, covering a population differing in demographic composi-
tion and interests. Based on the identification of several vari-
ables, these variables were then studied for various occupational
groupings, major information-seeking situation categories, the
extent and effectiveness of information providers, and the reason
for liking or not liking those who provided the information. The
conclusions of their study suggest that individuals tend to go to
other individuals for information more than they are inclined to
go to libraries; and that individuals consider accuracy and
understanding of the information they receive an important
aspect of the service. Whether or not certain providers were
regarded as “helpful” varied, based on certain non-work or work
situations (i.e. consumer issues, housing, etc.) and on certain
criteria (job-related, etc.).
Beyond the research findings that this book includes, the
statements regarding the nature and importance of information
services seems to this reviewer at least, to be a manifesto for a new
look at libraries for the coming decades. Its assertion that the li-
brary must expand its view of service to correspond to a much
more diverse concept of information is based on a central thesis
of the importance of the user; on the complexity of the informa-
tion needs of the user and the role in which the total demographics
which identifies the user places on him or her. Scattered through-
out this publication are critical quotes of others that stress the
point of information as a process, as contrasted to that of a com-
modity. Although, Chen and Hermon do not express it as such, it
is clear that they are attempting to emphasize the point that li-
braries should include a better understanding of what goes in the
heads of users, and must expand their view of the library as a
logistical institution to a learning institution. Their quote of
Douglas Zweizig and Brenda Darvin made in “Public library use,
users, uses” ] 11:
“The demand is for designing new services, not continuing
the old; for being accountable to diverse community groups,
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE-May
not simply retaining current users; for justifying even those
continuing programs not currently threatened”. (pg. 123)
After reading this book 1 was tempted to proceed to search the
rosters of leading professional societies concerned with library
and information services to determine whether the authors occu-
pied or were occupying leading positions in these organizations.
Anthony Debons
Irltrrdisci~~lirfcrr?/ Depurtment o/lr!fbrmatiw~ Scierlce
School of Library arId iuformutiorl Science
Ur~iverslty of Pitlshurgll
Pittsburgh. PA Ii260
1. Douglas Zweizig and Brenda Dcrvin. “Public Library Use, Users,
Uses” in: Adwrcc~s ir! Lihrrrriur~shit~,Vol. 7. edited by Melvin J.
Voigt and Michael H. Harris. New York: Academic Press. 1977,
p. 252.
Television’s Window on the World: International Affairs Cover-
age on the U.S. Networks. James F. Larson. Norwood, New Jer-
sey: Ablex. 1984: 195 pp. Price: $27.50.
Television’s Window on the World examines U.S. television
network coverage of international affairs. The book’s chapters
provide an extensive report on what their author has observed
from his review of nearly 1.000 network (CBS, NBC and ABC)
newscasts covering the years 1972 through 1981, Specific items
examined include (1) the nature of international news reporting
in terms of story treatment (length, placement, content and
method of reporting within a newscast) and field assignment cri-
teria for foreign correspondents; (2) the quantity and quality of
network coverage given to particular countries and the decision-
making processes that determine what countries and stories to
cover; (3) the influence of international political systems and
controls on access to news and news content as well as the reverse
influence of news content in shaping foreign policy; and (4) the
role of technology in the coverage of international news.
What Larson tells us about all of this is that television network
newscasts generally provide viewers with substantial amounts of
international news but of a kind that has become nearly formu-
laic in design. As an example, little is ever reported of events in
the developing Third World nations unless the events relate to
violence or natural disasters. International news items accom-
panied by visuals and showing action of any kind are accorded
preferenttal treatment by the networks, regardless of country of
origin. Foreign correspondents are usually assigned to countries
that provide the best communication and transportation systems
and the most hospitable working conditions. Larson indicates
how television news has become a major factor in determining
foreign policy, since much of what government leaders know of
current international matters results from their observation of
television newscasts. Finally. the author shows how technology
such as communication satellites now makes it possible to report
on events and to provide live visual transmissions from anywhere
in the world.
Television’s WimIow 011the World is not entertaining; it is,
however, informative. Many of the book’s conclusions are neither
revelatory nor are they altogether original. Most have been re-
ported elsewhere. But. much of what others have said about net-
work television’s international news coverage has been derived
from anecdotal evidence, not the more credible statistical evi-
dence collected and tested by Larson.
This is an important book with clearly-defined implications.
1986 173
 Americans rely more heavily on television than on any other me-
dium for news. The images of life abroad are almost exclusively
the product of network television. Televisiorz j Wi&ow 011 the
World gives readers important insight into how and why such
images are formed.
Ronald Garay
Louisiuna State University
Batorl Rouge, LA 70803
U. Computer-Readable Databases: A Directory and Data Source-
book. Martha E. Williams, ed. Chicago; American Library As-
sociation; 1985: 1029 pp. $87.50 per volume; $157.50 for both.
(ISBN: O-444-87615-4)
The first edition of this series was issued in 1976 with the title
of Computer Reuduhle Bibliographic Dutu Buses: A Directory
trr~tl Sourcebook, issued by ASIS, and contained information
about 301 databases. In 1979, the 2nd edition: Computer-
Readable Dutabases: A Directory and‘Sourcebook, again is-
sued by ASIS, listed 528 databases. The 3d edition, 1982, had
the same title, also issued by ASIS, and contained information
on 773 databases. The current edition has a listing of 2,805 da-
tabases.
While the first edition contained only bibliographic data-
bases, the current one contains both word and number-oriented
databases produced world-wide that are publicly available.
Issued in two volumes, neither volume is numbered, al-
though pagination is continuous through the volumes. Each
volume can be used independently of the other. The first vol-
ume contains databases in Science, Technology and Medicine,
and the second lists Business, Law, Humanities and the Social
Sciences. Each volume has complete indexes for both volumes.
There are four indexes; the first of which is the name index with
3,488 entries, the subject index follows with 571 terms and
10,655 entries, then is the producer index with 1,210 entries
and the fourth is the processor index containing 614 names.
Information under each entry in the body of the work has
much of the same data issued in previous editions (name and
acronyms, producer, dimensions of the database, updating,
and processor or vendor), however, much of the duplication
within the entry in previous editions has been removed. The ad-
dress of the producer, for example, is no longer listed with the
entry, but is located in the producer index, although no phone
numbers are included. The information on the availability of
back files and sample tapes has been dropped.
Entries in each volume are in alphabetic order, but it was
unusual to find a number of databases listed under “the” fol-
lowing the entry for Textline on page 925. The 45 databases
listed in this manner are also found in the indexes under “the”.
There are 93 entries under “the” in the name index, The in-
quirer, if unable to locate the entry for the Phifudelphiu In-
quirer, under “P,” should be aware that the entry might be un-
der “T.”
Within the name index, both the acronyms and the names
are interfiled, ESTC and Eighteenth Century Short Title Cata-
log are interfiled so that the information can be located by
whatever name known. ERIC is listed in the name index as a
concatenation of CIJE and RIE.
The subject index lists only the ‘correct’ name of the file or
databases. So that under Education in this file is found:
“Current Index to Journals in Education 563
Resources in Education 869”
but no mention is made of ERIC, CIJE, or RIE.
174 JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE-May
The Producer index lists “Educational Resources Informa-
tion Center.” but there is no cross-reference in this index from
ERIC. The user of the work will have to look about the indexes
and become familiar with them. Information is given, but not
listed twice.
In comparing this work with other directories in the field,
D~WCICJI? of Onlirw Databases, issued by Cuadra; and the En-
cycloprdiu qf‘ l~~forrnatiorr Systems and Services, issued by
Gale, there are differences in the information regarding the size
and contents of the databases. But each source received their
information at a different time and the discrepancies or differ-
ences which are not great, will not be detailed in this review.
Since Corllprltc,r-Rr~uduhle Dutabases will be accessible on-
line and we hope will be kept current, it will be a valuable re-
source for locating information about databases in a dynamic
and rapidly changing industry.
The hardcopy work will be useful for backup information,
and at a cost of $87.50 per volume, or $157.50 for both, can be a
useful source to examine and obtain general information.
Tillie Krieger
School qf Library and Iufornmrion Scierrce
Lorrisiurzu Stute Uliiversity
Batorz Rouge. LA 70803
Introduction to Reference Sources in the Health Sciences, 2d
ed., 1984. Roper, F. W., and Boorkman, J. A. 302 pp. (ISBN
O-912176-16-4) $27.00 hardbound.
Roper and Boorkman and their contributors have come
through with an improved and expanded edition. Two new
chapters deal with sources for grant and contract support and
health legislative sources. The work is well edited and attrac-
tively packaged. The major difference between editions is an in-
creased emphasis on online bibliographic sources. Even so,
with the proliferation in this area, there is an even greater need
for a detailed discussion of the impact that such services have
made upon reference work in the health sciences.
The work is divided into three parts: the reference collection,
bibliographic sources, and informational sources. Part one is
particularly lacking because of the very scant treatment of many
topics relating to the “organization and management of the ref-
erence collection.” It would have been useful and appropriate
to emphasize the move to online storage of any information that
requires frequent updating and what this is likely to mean to
health sciences libraries in the years ahead. Attention should
also be given to the cost parameters of reference materials and
cost of providing reference collections and services. Health sci-
ences libraries are going to have to move from collection-based
services to access-based services. How can reference librarians
convince administrators that access-based services are worthy
of funding in the same manner as collection-based services?
Some discussion of the patron interview, the response-time re-
quirements of library users, and the need for subject expertise
by reference librarians would have been worthy of inclusion.
Such topics are treated in the latest edition of the Handbook of
Medical Library Practice, but users of Roper’s book will be
most interested in how these topics need to be addressed in ref-
erence collection development. This chapter would have been a
suitable place to introduce the variety of requests directed to-
wards health sciences libraries with the inclusion of numerous
examples.
1986
 The second part of the work consists of six chapters which
vary considerably in comprehensiveness. Chapter 3 on “biblio-
graphic sources for periodicals” makes no mention of NLM’s
National Biomedical Serials Holdings Database (SERHOLD)
created in 1982 and from which the first union list appeared in
microfiche in June of 1982. One problem in any reference work
is the time lag between manuscript and publication stage. Some
of the issues raised in this review may be the result of this delay
and consequently could not have been addressed in this work.
Boorkman’s chapter on “abstracting and indexing services”
would have benefitted from some sample entries from Index
Medicrrs to clarify citation elements. These are available in 04,
but the reader would be better served if some examples were
included with the discussion. The use of brackets and language
notation are easily demonstrated with an example. This minor
criticism is one that applies in a number of places throughout
the text. Boorkman states that the format of ZM has not
changed since 1966, but then notes the dropping of the author
section from the Bibliography of Medical Reviews. Change to
the ANSI citation format in 1980 and the changes in number of
authors cited are other format changes of importance. The
MeSH discussion on pages 42-47 is particularly difficult to fol-
low and could be simplified and clarified. The distinctions be-
tween the so-called black & white MeSH and the Annotuted
MrSH are not made clear (even though the two are becoming
more similar all the time). The disadvantages of buying and us-
ing Abridged I~rdex Medicus should have been included along
with the advantages presented on page 48. Boorkman’s treat-
ment of “online bibliographic databases” is very succinct and
well done. There is no mention of DIRLINE which may not
have appeared in time to be included in this edition. The im-
pression left by the author on page 73 is that CANCERLIT has
not been updated since “mid-1983.” According to NLM, the
database is updated monthly. Without this, CANCEREX-
PRESS would be useless as a current awareness file. Missing
from the MEDLINE discussion is an indication of the percent-
age of citations that have abstracts. Such information is in-
cluded for most of the other NLM databases. The appendix to
the online chapter shows older editions of works, e.g., the OIZ-
/inr Swvices Morrucd should be 1982. Similarly, the Tumor Key
has a newer edition. Such lapses make the other citations in
these listings of questionable value. As part of this chapter, or
perhaps in the first chapter, it seems that some mention should
be made of the possible impact that Intergrated Library Sys-
tems (ILS) will have upon reference collections and the provi-
sion of reference services in health sciences libraries.
Roper’s chapter on “government documents and technical
reports” notes that “As reference and information sources, gov-
ernment documents offer great potential for libraries in the
health sciences.” He then proceeds to cover the topic in seven
pages. This treatment needs more intensity and greater cover-
age simply because of the importance of the government as a
publisher of health-related information. All health sciences li-
brarians need to learn more about the multitude of government
health-related publications. Who are the major government
publishers? What part does this play in health care and how can
library users benefit from these sources of information? How
can health sciences librarians fully utilize this source of infor-
mation? How can library users be made aware of this source?
Unfortunately, these questions are not addressed and Roper
does not cite the very important work by Rao Aluri and Judith
Schick, A Guide /o U.S. Govemrnent SciehJic and TechrLical
Resourcrs, published in 1983.
Part three contains nine chapters by a variety of contributing
authors with topics ranging from medical terminology to health
legislation sources. All of the chapters appear to be authorita-
tive and well done. The medical terminology chapter is a good
introduction to the subject and identifies word books including
those for definitions. learning terminology, syndromes, con-
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN
cepts location, and foreign terms. The author stresses the Latin
and Greek origins of medical terms but says nothing about the
Arabic and Anglo-Saxon origins-hardly fair.
The chapter on “handbooks and manuals” provides ade-
quate coverage, but because there are so many handbooks, any
listing can only be representative. More emphasis upon the
need for, and use of standardized, critically evaluated data
would have been useful, including some brief discussion of the
way in which data is evaluated and standardized. The National
Standard Reference Data System of the National Bureau of
Standards would be a good starting place.
The “drug information sources” chapter is quite good and
highlights the major drug information sources including some
that are useful for consumer drug information. The FDA drug
approval process is discussed as is some of the drug-related no-
menclature. Several important online databases for drug-re-
lated information are included, but no mention is made of the
Toxicology Data Bank (TDB).
The chapter on “audiovisual reference sources” would have
benefitted from a definition of “audiovisuals” at the beginning.
On page 80, audiovisuals are noted as having different “run-
ning times,” but this certainly doesn’t apply to all audiovisuals.
Models are not discussed, although most health sciences librar-
ians consider these part of the audiovisual collection. On page
164 the authors state that lbmm films are available from
NLM’s contractor in Atlanta. NLM no longer contracts for the
use of films and they are only available on a limited basis
through interlibrary loan from NLM. It would have been useful
if the authors had done more to emphasize the potential for vid-
eodisk technology for health sciences libraries and the literature
that is springing up around this technology.
Weise’s chapter on “medical and health statistics” is well
written and more comprehensive than most of the chapters. The
list of definitions carries over from the first edition and a useful
addition would be to differentiate between “epidemic” and
“endemic.” Also useful would be some emphasis upon the
questionable reliability of health statistics. One often finds con-
flicting statistics for the same question meaning that reference
librarians may not be able to quit searching as soon as a statistic
is located.
The work concludes with two new chapters. The “grant
sources” chapter deals with grantsmanship guides, directories,
and indexes; sources dealing with securing grants and con-
tracts, and federal and commercial sources announcing and de-
scribing grants and contracts are discussed. Funding from
three sources is treated: federal, foundations, and the corporate
world. Included is a caveat against a source that the health sci-
ences library should not purchase. This type of information
would be welcome throughout the work. Some attention is paid
to Canadian and international sources.
The final chapter on “health legislation sources” seems
quite comprehensive and highly useful. It provides a quick re-
view of the legal and legislative process and includes major bib-
liographic tools such as the Mo/~thly Cutulog and reporting
sources such as the Congressiorurl Record. Specific sources for
health sciences are noted and explained. Useful suggestions for
purchasing are included. There is a brief discussion of online
sources.
All in all, a highly useful and well done work. Even more
emphasis upon online services would be valuable. Also, the use
of more examples taken from the tools under discussion would
improve readability and clarify some of the discussions of vari-
ous sources. Missing from the work is any mention of patent
literature. This vast and complicated body of scientific informa-
tion is becoming more and more important to health sciences
practitioners and, therefore, important to health sciences li-
brarians. Increased emphasis upon biomedical engineering and
patentable processes and products through areas such as re-
combinant DNA research makes it increasingly likely that li-
SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE-May 1986 175
braries will be called upon to deal with this literature. Also, the
rapidly growing number of online patent databases means that
libraries can access this information without a sizeable invest-
ment. The work is well indexed with extensive use of cross-refer-
ences. In many cases, it would be just as easy to include the
page reference under each of the entries rather than refer the
user to a different access point.
Roper, Boorkman, and the contributing authors are to be
commended for producing a work, which although in need of
frequent revision, meets an ongoing need of health sciences li-
brarians and those studying to become health sciences librari-
ans. Highly recommended for all health sciences libraries.
Robert Berk
Director qf the Medical Library
Southern Illinois University
School qf Medicine
Springfield, Illirtois 62708
Fee-Based Services in Sci-Tech Libraries. Ellis Mount, ed.
New York; Haworth Press: 1984: 105 pp. Price $19.95. ISBN-
0-86656-326-l
This monograph is a hardcover version of Sciertce artd Tech-
nology Librtrries Volume 5, number 2, Winter 1984, and there
is no particular reason for subscribers to that journal to acquire
this volume. Only the first fifty pages are at all concerned with
the topic of the title. The remaining fifty-five pages are com-
prised of a paper on the literature of artificial organs and the
columns and reviews normally found in the journal.
In the first thirty-one pages we find three papers clearly on
the supposed topic and two additional papers: one by Koenig
and Morse which is a very interesting analysis of the real cost to
serials agents of handling sci-tech publications, and the other a
report on a survey by Somerville which covers the relationship of
chemistry librarians and end users and touches on fees charged.
I will reserve the remainder of my comments for the three
papers on the title topic. In reporting on fez-based scrviccs at
Georgia Institute of Technology, Citron and Dodd find that
roughly 20 percent of services rendered goes to off-campus users
but that recovered cost only approaches 7 percent of the budget.
The 80 percent use by campus personnel resulted in only a 3
percent budget recovery. They speculate that direct student
fees, assigned percentage of sponsored research indirect costs,
and a charge back system could make the library a profit cen-
ter.
Baker provides a brief overview of fee-based service at
M.I.T. These include reproduction, interlibrary loan, and com-
puter searching, and in some cases extended manual reference
search. Fees are also charged for users external to the campus
community who wish borrowing privileges, and funds are re-
ceived from special campus wide industrial programs which in-
clude library service.
Morgan discusses fees for service in medical libraries and
points out again the traditional areas where fees have been
charged, adding circuit riding consultation to small hospitals.
None of these three papers are likely to provide any blinding
new insights to readers interested in the topic of fee-based ser-
vices. Surely there must be more to say. What, for instance, are
the costing methods used in corporate sci-tech libraries, or are
such services considered general overhead? Generally, the topic
is interesting, the papers descriptive and disappointing. If I
wanted to look at these, I’d pay the fee for an interlibrary loan
before I’d buy the monograph.
Bert R. Boyce
School oJ‘Librury uttd Information Science
Louisiattu State University
Bcrtort Rouge, Louisiuttu 70803

176 JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE-May 1986