This book gives a theoretical base and a perspective for the analysis, design, and operation of information systems, particularly their information storage and retrieval (ISAR) component, whether mechanized or manual. Information systems deal with many types of entities: events, persons, documents, business transactions, museum objects, research projects, and technical parts, to name a few. Among the purposes the serve are to inform the public, to support managers, researchers, and engineers, and to provide a knowledge base for an artificial intelligence program. The principles discussed in this book apply to all these contexts. The book achieves this generality by drawing on ideas from two conceptually overlapping areas—data base management and the organization and use of knowledge in libraries—and by integrating these ideas into a coherent framework. The principles discussed apply to the design of new systems and, more importantly, to the analysis of existing systems in order to exploit their capabilities better, to circumvent their shortcomings, and to introduce modifications where feasible.

Offers an historical perspective of the past 25 years of computers in libraries, profileing currently available processing systems according to their size and platform. The short- and long-term future of information technology in libraries.;College or university bookstores may order five or more copies at a special student price which is available from Marcel Dekker upon request.

Elements of Argument combines a thorough argument text on critical thinking, reading, writing, and research with an extensive reader on both current and timeless controversial issues. It presents everything students need to analyze, research, and write arguments. Elements of Argument covers Toulmin, Aristotelian, and Rogerian models of argument and has been thoroughly updated with current selections students will want to read. It now includes additional support for academic writing, making it a truly flexible classroom resource. An electronic edition is available at half the price of the print book. Read the preface.

First multi-year cumulation covers six years: 1965-70.