College and Research Libraries 272 College & Research Libraries further argues that the "noise" in more complex information systems is not statis- tically independent of the signals but in- stead is tightly bound to them; the result is that Shannon's methodology for treat- ment of noise is not applicable either. In agreement with the view that Shannon's theory is adequate for information sci- ence, Barnes proposes a generalization of Shannon's measure to accommodate un- certainty in the signal probabilities. Zunde contrasts that measure with other theoret- ical constructs-such as Zip£' slaw-based on the principle of least effort. Section 2 turns to artificial intelligence. Suppe continues his discussion from Sec- tion 1 by examining adaptive systems as examples of artificial intelligence, espe- cially as means for dealing with complex sources of noise and error. Rieger follows that by considering the adaptive mecha- nisms involved in interpersonal commun- ication, and Hayes-Roth examines the specific example of ''ambiguity'' in com- munication and in pattern matching as the central tool in information retrieval. Heilprin concludes the section on artificial intelligence by proposing quasi- mathematical models of domain mapping to describe those problems. Section 3 turns to the recipient of infor- mation and examines different contexts, including formalized logic and aesthetics, in which user interpretation becomes the means for handling noise, ambiguity, and . pattern matching. Section 4 continues that theme, but considers it in the larger frame of reference-the methodologies for ob- servation and interpretation, as means for formalizing both. Information science is a diffuse field, with a diversity of interpretations. This volume adds an additional set of perspec- tives, so it has that value at the least. It also reiterates some of the more common inter- pretations, such as that of Shannon's communication theory, but without add- ing much to our knowledge of them. To that extent, therefore, it simply repeats what has been previously presented.- Robert M. Hayes, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Califor- nia, Los Angeles. May 1987 Garoogian, Rhoda, and Andrew Ga- roogian. Careers in Other Fields for Librar- ians: Successful Strategies for Finding the Job. Chicago: American Library Assn., 1985. 171p. paper, $12.95 (ISBN 0-8389- 0431-9). LC 85-15800. Aside from the lucky few who received a calling at the age of six or seven, who can refrain from wondering at some point in their lives if they have selected the right career? Librarians are not unique in expe- riencing that reflection nor are they unique in deciding to change careers as a consequence. The Garoogians' book is a guide for those who have decided to move out of li- brary science and into another field. With general advice and specific practical de- tails the authors confront the obvious problem of applying one's skills and train- ing in librarianship to requisites and job descriptions in other fields. Their method is to consider numerous job descriptions and to identify and ''translate'' the skills in demand into the strengths -developed by librarians. The Garoogians frequently refer to simi- lar manuals and include a three-page bibli- ography of current books and articles on . the topic. Predictably, they place consid- erable emphasis on the information needs of other sectors of society and the obvious information strengths of librarians. Unlike other manuals, such as Careers in Informa- tion by Jane F. Spivack (White Plains, N.Y.: Knowledge Industry, 1982), Careers in Other Fields for Librarians recognizes and promotes the qualities that librarians pos- sess in addition to information skills. The Garoogians adapt a seven-page table pub- lished by the American Library Associa- tion entitled ''List of Professional Library Tasks" to equate job responsibilities in nonlibrary fields with traditional library skills. They they apply the comparisons to specific job descriptions such as "Political Research Analyst for a State Legislator.'' A major portion of the book relates li- brary skills and experience to the informa- tion and management needs of four areas of opportunity: business, government, education, and entrepreneurship. Within each area the authors analyze dozens of ( Recent Publications 273 job descriptions to identify qualities com- parable to those developed in librarian- ship. Helpful perspective appears with frequent tips, such as the observation that the transition into government may be easier than into business because a librar- ian may feel more comfortable with the emphasis on service rather than profit. On the other hand a timely caveat cautions that present cutbacks in federal spending may hinder the availability of government jobs for some years. informs the inquirer about a particular in- stitution or position but is unrelated to an immediate opening. A table that lists lead- ing factors for rejection of applicants shows what employers seek to avoid. The Garoogians' book is aimed at librar- ians who are considering a career change, but those who have no intention of leav- ing librarianship might relish the com- ments and perspectives on their profes- sion. Also, supervisors and directors within libraries may find the analyses of skills, comparisons between job descrip- tions, and hints on interviewing tech- niques to be of practical value. All librari- ans should find chapter 2, ''The Private and the Public Image," of interest, be- cause the authors look not only at popular stereotypes facing the career-changing in- dividual, but also at often heartening ob- servations of what librarians have re- vealed about themselves. For example, the authors cite the results of an inventory The section on employment techniques is equally specific and detailed, including exercises in "Want-Ad Analysis" and a list of thirty-one key words to look for in the classified sections of newspapers and journals. Observing that only 15 percent of jobs are ever advertised, the authors also identify informal methods such as creating one's own network through indi- vidual contacts and making use of the in- formation interview. The latter approach Spring, 1987 United Nations Publications The World In Your Hands General Directory of United Nations Databases and Infonnation Systems A repertoire of over 600 information databases in 36 UN affiliated organiza- tions. It enables one to see what infor- mation and services are available in the United Nations family as a whole and how to obtain detailed information from particular organizations. GV.E.84.0.5 (ISBN: 92-9048-295-8) $35.00 Business/Econ~mics Transnational Corporations and International Trade: Selected Issues E.85.II.A.4 $11.00 Transnational Corporations in South Africa Transnational corporations' business Volume Il" The Verbatim Records of policies in South Africa as they relate to the Hearings the issue of apartheid were examined at E.86.II.A.6789 (ISBN: 92-1-104180-5) the United Nations during public hear- Sold only in the 4 volume set (see below). ings. A panel of political intluentials Volume III: Statements and Submis- heard from more than 50 informed persons, examined documentation, and made their recommendations. Those recommendations, the verbatim transcripts of the hearings and other vital documentation is available in four volumes. sions E.86.II.A.6789 (ISBN: 92-1-104181-3) Sold only in the 4 volume set (see below) . Volume IV: Laws and Policies E.86.II.A.6789 (ISBN: 92-1-104182-1) $65.00 Volume I: The Report and Recommen- Volumes I through IV, set of 4 specially dations of the Pane/of Eminent Persons priced E.86.II.A.6789 (ISBN: 92-1-104179-1) E.86.II.A.6789 $65.00 United Nations Publications To order publications, by title and sales number, contact your wholesaler. Or order direct. For more information write for our complete 1987 catalog at the address on the right. Publisher's ISBN prefix: (92-1) Room DC2-853 New York, New York 10017 Palais des Nations 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland $200.00 274 College & Research Libraries described in Stereotypes and Status: Librari- ans in the United States by Pauline Wilson (Westport, Conn.: Greenwood, 1982), which compares librarians' interests fa- vorably with those of practitioners in ''art, law/politics, music, public speaking, and May1987 writing'' and other ''verbally oriented oc- cupations.'' This is not such bad company to be in; perhaps the career changers would like to reconsider.-Laura Fuderer, Memorial Library, University of Notre Dame, Indiana. ABSTRACTS The following abstracts are based on those prepared by the ERIC Clearinghouse of Infor- mation Resources, School of Education, Syra- cuse University. Documents with an ED number may be or- dered in either microfiche (MF) or paper copy (PC) from the ERIC Document Reproduction Service, P.O. Box 190, Arlington, VA 22210. Orders should include ED number, specify for- mat desired, and include payment for docu- ment and postage. Further information on ordering documents and on current postage charges may be obtained from a recent issue of Resources in Educa- tion. Committee on the Records of Government. Report. American Council on Learned Societies, New York; Council on Li- brary Resources and Social Science Re- search Council, Washington, D.C. Sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan, An- drew W. Mellon, and Rockefeller foun- dations. New York: 1985. 182p. ED 269 018. MF-$0.75; PC-$14.40. A privately sponsored and privately funded committee was organized to identify and pro- pose means by which governments at all levels might rid themselves of needless and wasteful records while ensuring the preservation of that fraction of the documents deserving to be kept. The committee concentrated on problems and solutions within the federal government, but the principles underlying the conclusions and recommendations can be adopted by individual states and localities. This report of the commit- tee includes an introduction and sections on: "Development of Records Management"; "Records Management 1950-1984"; "Com- puter Generated Records"; "Special Charac- teristics of Electronic Records"; "Information Resource Management''; and ''Importance of Leadership.'' Five major conclusions and three detailed recommendations complete the re- port. A draft of a proposed executive order is at- tached as well as a list of participants and addi- tional interviewees. Appendixes include overviews of the government records programs and conservation efforts, a technology assess- ment report of the National Archives and Rec- ords Service, and additional information, in- cluding significant related legislation and regulations; selected surveys and studies; ele- ments of a comprehensive government records program; principles for state archival and rec- ords management agencies; National Archives and Records Service appraisal guidelines; and examples of federal government records sched- ules. An index is provided. End-User Searching Services. SPEC Kit 122. Washington, D.C.: Association of Research Libraries, 1986. 134p. ED 269- 022. MF-$0.75; PC-Not available from EDRS. In mid-1985, researchers contacted librarians at twenty-three United States and Canadian universities to determine what end-user activi- ties were taking place with the involvement and cooperation of the library. Although most of those contacted were members of the Associa- tion of Research Libraries (ARL), a few non- ARL libraries known to have active end-user programs were also called. This Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) kit con- tains information on the SPEC telephone sur- vey (questions asked and libraries contacted); one grant proposal (University of illinois); five program descriptions (Cornell University, Memphis State University, Pennsylvania State University, Texas A&M University, and Uni- versity of Pennsylvania); four examples of pub- licity (same libraries as above except for Penn- sylvania State); nine sets of instructional aids and references tools (same libraries as program descriptions-two items from Pennsylvania State-plus Drexel University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Ottawa); six eval- uations/questionnaires (Cornell, Drexel, Mem- phis State, Pennsylvania State, Texas A&M Universities, and University of Ottawa); and a select bibliography. A brief introductory sum-