Explores the use of public online access systems, noting three reasons for their emergence: the failure of computer output microform (COM) catalogs, online circulation systems, and commercial vendors. User needs and wants and librarian requirements are outlined in terms of cost considerations. Fourteen references are listed. (EJS)

Discusses the issue of centralization or decentralization of academic library collections, and describes a statistical analysis of book circulation at the University of Southwestern Louisiana that yielded subject area clusters as a compromise solution to the problem. Applications of the cluster model for all types of library catalogs are…

This overview of the current capabilities of subject access in online public catalogs discusses keyword searching versus subject cataloging, users' views of the online catalog, and user-friendly versus user-hostile systems. Existing online catalogs in public and academic libraries are cited as examples. (EJS)

Initiated by the Council on Library Resources, this study assessed the current level of retrospective conversion and explored the primary issues that need attention if libraries are to convert their bibliographical files to machine-readable form. Data were obtained from a literature review, contact with a number of libraries currently engaged in…

Describes research using students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign that investigated the ways in which different levels of knowledge about a topic can affect search strategies in an online public access catalog. Previous research is reviewed, and implications for information intermediaries and designers of information retrieval…

Discusses features of online library catalogs and their cost characteristics, including financial management and planning (hardware and software options, turnkey vendors); approaches to cost analysis (actual experiences, building blocks); baseline estimates for two average academic libraries; and vendor estimates. Forty-five references and a…

Discusses key issues to be addressed in planning for introduction of online public access catalog in academic research library environment. Purpose of catalog, reasons to adopt catalog, user behavior, use of catalog records, authority control, shared or unique systems, and impact on staff are highlighted. Seventy-three sources are cited. (EJS)

Presents a methodology for describing, analyzing, and evaluating the public service functions of serial file systems, and describes a user study conducted in a university departmental library to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of its system in enabling students new to the library to locate known-items in the serials collection. (CDD)

Discussion of integrated library systems focuses on the development of the Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK). Capabilities of eight existing systems are described, including catalog creation and maintenance; the online public access catalog (OPAC); circulation, interlibrary loan, and document delivery; acquisitions and serials…

Discussion of humanities research focuses on activities of the British Library Research and Development Department (BLRDD), particularly the Humanities Information Review Panel. The influence of technology on humanities research is considered, including word processing, greater availability of computer networks, and the online public access…

Offers suggestions for librarians to meet the needs of humanities researchers. Topics discussed include types of materials humanists use; how scholars work; computerized information sources; the use of online library catalogs; access to European automated catalogs; creating international standards; cooperative collection development; and academic…

This report is a revision and expansion of an earlier research report that described the design of the University of Guelph's documentation system for the organization of government publications within university libraries. The design of the Guelph document system represents a deliberate departure from cataloging and classification theory and…

Describes a study that was conducted to provide information on the extent of bibliographic instruction in curriculum materials centers (CMCs) or related library/media collections designed for the use of prospective teachers and teacher educators. The study paid particular attention to instruction in the use of online public catalogs. (30…

Presents seven articles that discuss reference librarians and technical services librarians; evaluating online public access catalogs; bibliographic instruction and CD-ROMs; interactive multimedia and electronic media in academic libraries; open versus closed stacks for academic library periodical collections; policies and procedures manuals as…

Discusses the development of electronic libraries at Cornell University's (New York) Mann Library and elsewhere and presents an overview of changes in services and staff responsibilities needed to address user needs. Sidebar articles discuss Internet access to government information; changing staff roles; geographic information systems; the Mann…