This overview of the OCLC telecommunications network discusses: its scope and applications, user demographics, the system architecture, access, costs, protocols, maintenance, vendor relationships, performance data, and network engineering. (13 references) (MES)

Relates the experiences of a private preparatory school librarian in her search for a cataloging system, and the selection and use of OCLC to automate her library's cataloging processes. Benefits and costs of OCLC system and interlibrary loan subsystem use are discussed. (MBR)

Presents a comprehensive model for identifying the processes and costs involved in preservation efforts that was developed for the Columbia University libraries. Preservation activities are described; costs are assessed for staff time, supplies, and bibliographic utility use; and appendices outline the preservation process and the roles of the…

This report examines the costs of and services provided by the three major bibliographic utilities, OCLC (Online Computer Library Center), RLIN (Research Libraries Information Network), and WLN (Western Library Network). The services examined include acquisitions, cataloging, interlibrary loan, and reference. To examine costs, the format of the…

This study identifies, estimates, and compares the cost of copy and original cataloging of print and non-print materials with four major online database vendors--the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), the Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN), the Western Library Network (WLN), and the University of Toronto Library Automation Systems…

A Public Library Association (PLA) survey compiled information on public libraries in bibliographic networks. Aspects identified and measured were perceptions of participation, reasons for non-participation, reactions to services, and suggestions for increasing participation. Recommendations are made for actions by PLA and the networks to ensure…

There are 16 papers in this collection from the Division of Bibliographic Control: (1) "Report from the Section on Cataloging" (Tom Delsey); (2) "Section on Bibliography Report" (B. C. Bloomfield); (3) "Report from the Section on Classification and Indexing" (Robert P. Holley); (4) "The Cost of Cataloging" (French and English versions; Genevieve…

Considers the role of librarians in the networked information age. Topics include contributions of librarians to information technology, including bibliographic utilities, online database searching services, and public access to electronic information; future challenges, including controlling costs; considering community objectives; and the…

Written by a board member of OCLC, this paper discusses critical issues relating to OCLC for the remaining decade of the twentieth century. A brief history of OCLC traces its development and recounts its goals and missions to establish a computerized network to promote the evolution of library use, of libraries themselves, and of librarianship.…