Feature Articles
A Scatter Storage Scheme for Dictionary Lookups (p.173-201)
D. M. MURRAY
Scatter storage schemes are examined with respect to their applicability to dictionary lookup procedures. Of particular interest are virtual scatter methods which combine the advantages of rapid search speed and reasonable storage requirements. The theoretical aspects of computing hash addresses are developed, and several algorithms are evaluated. Finally, experiments with an actual text lookup process are described, and a possible library application is discussed.
An Experiment in Information Searching with the 701 Calculator (p.202-206)
HARLEY E. TILLITT
Harley E. Tillitt began experiments on storage and searching of a coordinate index using an IBM 701 Calculator soon after the machine arrived in September 1953 at the then Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake, California. By April 1954 Mr. Tillitt's program was operational, searching the Library's coordinate index, which had been converted to a truncated machine readable form. In early 1954 Mr. Tillitt presented the following paper, describing his system, at an IBM Computational Seminar at Endicott, New York. The paper is believed to be the first report on library-related computerization and is here printed for the first time because of its historic importance. - Ed.
Standardized Costs for Automated Library Systems (p.207-217)
MARY ELLEN L. JACOB
Costs of automated library systems as currently given in published reports tend to be misleading and confusing. It is necessary to have a clear understanding of how they were derived before any comparisons can be made. Clearly defined costs in terms of time units are more meaningful than straight dollar costs and can be used as one means of comparison among various system designs and as guidelines for the design of new systems.
History of Library Computerization (p.218-229)
FREDERICK G. KILGOUR
The history of library computerization from its initiation in 1954 to 1970 is described. Approximately the first half of the period was devoted to computerization of user-oriented subject information retrieval and the second half to library-oriented procedures. At the end of the period on-line systems were being designed and activated.
The RECON Pilot Project: A Progress Report, November 1969 - April 1970 (p.230-251)
HENRIETTE D. AVRAM, KAY D. GUILES, AND LENORE S. MARUYAMA
A synthesis of the second progress report submitted by the Library of Congress to the Council of Library Resources under a grant for the RECON Pilot Project. An overview of the progress made from November 1969 to April 1970 in the following areas: production, Official Catalog comparison, format recognition, research titles, microfilming, investigation of input devices. In addition, the status of the tasks assigned to the RECON Working Task Force are briefly described.