The Computer Assisted Reference Locator (CARL) is a computer-based information retrieval system which uses coordinate indexing. Objectives established in designing the system are: (1) simplicity of reference query and retrieval; (2) ease of system maintenance; and (3) adaptability for alternative computer systems. The source documents input into…

This composite report provides summaries of presentations by 10 experts at the 23rd Annual Clinic on Library Applications of Data Processing in April 1986 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. All were concerned with the design of online systems to make them easier for library patrons to use. (Author/CDD)

Batch mode processing is compared, using cost-effectiveness, with on-line processing for computer-aided searching of chemical abstracts. Consideration for time, need, coverage, and adaptability are found to be the criteria by which a searcher selects a method, and sometimes both methods are used. There is a tradeoff between batch mode's slower…