University Daily Kansan / Monday, September 14, 1987
Campus/Area
9
Watson to decide on computer index
By DAVID STEWART Special to the Kansas
Watson Library has only a short time left to decide whether it is interested in buying the NewsBank computerized index to more than 450.
"It really depends on when KU makes up its mind, but we can't let them keep it forever." he said.
The computer now is on loan from NewsBank, Inc., a Connecticut publishing firm. Christopher Kelly, NewsBank's customer service supervisor, said Watson had to show interest in buying the company's service by mid-September if the library wanted to keep the computer on trial.
The NewsBank Electronic Index has been available for student trial in the Watson reference room since Aug. 13. The computer can search through more than 500,000 newspaper articles to find the ones that relate to topics in fine arts and architecture, music, film and sports, sensation, literature and performing arts. It indexes articles from January 1982 to April 1987.
James Neely, head reference librarian, said, "it's been well-received, although some people are expecting more than it offers."
For instance, he said, many students think that the computer itself will print the articles. But the computer only lists the names of articles, which are then found printed on microfiche cards. Also, the trial model does not include the full index or all the microfiche article files.
Neely said Watson's decision about NewsBank would be based on student reaction and the library's ability to pay. The service would cost about $2,500 a year, which includes monthly article updates and software training. The databaseware would be free for as long as Watson subscribed to the index.
"If we buy this, we won't be able to something else we may need." Nye.
"About two-thirds of schools KU's size are involved with this type of system." Neely said, "but you don't buy for the latest fad."
Student reaction has not yet been significant enough to justify the purchase, he said. But Neely said in a student opinion about the index.
Watson does not get extra money to computerize the library, he said, unlike Texas A&M, which received $400 million to add computers to its libraries.
Shelly Dean, Shawne sophomore, and Ban to find articles about integration problems.
The other indexes usually are hardbound books, each of which gives information for only one newspaper.
"I like it. It's faster, it's more accessible and it's more enjoyable," she said, comparing the computer to a paper indexes available at Watson.
Watson already subscribes to two NewsBank indexes, Review of Arts and the Foreign Broadcast Information Service.
BEFORE YOU BUY,
Check the KANSAN.
Passing the afternoon
Randy Pattay, Arlington Heights, Ill., senior, looks past opponent Kevin Doetzl, Leavenworth senior, for an open teammate. The two were playing ultimate Frisbee with friends yesterday afternoon on the grass next to Allen Field House.
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He studies Holarctic Recent mammals, or mammals that have been living in the northern regions in the last 10,000 years.
Hoffman also served as associate dean of liberal arts and sciences from 1978 to 1980 and from 1981 to 1985, and as acting dean from 1981 to 1982.
As assistant secretary, Hoffman will oversee the Smithsonian's many research projects and facilities, history, and science. He starts Jan. 1.
Ex-KU professor named to Smithsonian position
Hoffman said that he still had ties to the University and that he returned several times a year to advise graduate students.
BEFORE YOU BUY, Check the KANSAN. Our advertisers might save you money.
Since spring of 1986, Hoffmann has been director of the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History. For 12 years before that, he served at the University of Kansas as curator of mammals at the Museum of Natural History and as a professor of zoology, and systematics and ecology.
By a Kansan reporter
Former KU professor Robert Hoffmann has been named assistant secretary for research at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian announced recently.
He said that he had mixed feelings about accepting the new position because he had enjoyed his job at the Smithsonian's natural history museum. But he said he was looking forward to the challenges of the new job.
MODEL UNITED NATIONS
On the Record
INTRODUCTORY MEETING Monday, September 14, 7:30 p.m. Alderson Auditorium in the Kansas Union
A red mountain bike valued at $250 was taken Sept. 3 from a residence in the 1100 block of New Jersey Street, Lawrence police reported.
- Two wooden restaurant booths valued together at $1,200 were taken Aug. 31 from outside a business in the 2600 block of Iowa Street, Lawrence police report.
Lawrence police reported.
- A vacuum cleaner, a cordless drill and a 17-piece crystal set valued together at $805 were taken between Aug. 1, and Aug. 20 from a residence in the 900 block of West 29th Terrace, Lawrence police reported.
An AM-FM radio/cassette with four speakers valued at $600 was taken Aug. 17 from a van parked in the 2400 block of Jasua Drive,
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