Use of the BIOSIS computerized data base taught with audiovisual technology*

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Vaillancourt, Pauline M.

Affiliations: School of Library and Information Science, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY 12222, USA

Note: [*] Paper presented at the Fourth International Conference on Medical Librarianship, Beograd, Yugoslavia, September 1980.

Abstract: BIOSIS, producers of Biological Abstracts, continuing to upgrade both the printed and online data bases, has incorporated an audiovisual component into their long history of bringing education and training in the use of their products to the users in the field. BIOSIS since 1964 has had its own educator touring the United States and Canada bringing teaching seminars to small groups of users. Slides had been included in these presentations which showed graphically the important concepts being explained. Key members of the BIOSIS team have been recruited to bring these seminars to Europe, Australia and Japan. The educational section of BIOSIS has been enlarged to four individuals in order to attempt to meet demands from the biological and information communities. In addition, in 1976, a slide presentation with script provided by BIOSIS was developed to enable individuals knowledgeable about Biological Abstracts but not on the BIOSIS staff, to bring the information to other users and potential users. This package was tested and presented at the pre-FID International Seminar on Library Education in Mexico City in 1976. Because library school educators must be knowledgeable about the more sophisticated developments utilized by Biological Abstracts (both print and online) a self-contained slide and script package was developed for use in library schools. BIOSIS has also authorized its own lecturer to appear in a television tape production recorded for and by the State University of New York at Albany School of Library and Information Science in 1978. This television tape, accompanied by printed materials, has been used by groups of medical and special librarians for meeting programs as well as for library school students. Thus, BIOSIS has brought together computer technology and audiovisual technology using several of the audiovisual media.

DOI: 10.3233/ISU-1981-1205

Journal: Information Services & Use, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 81-86, 1981