This report of a study of the CONSER (CONversion of SERials) project begins with an overview of the history of the project. Developments leading to the study are described in the second section, and the third section addresses data gathering through a literature search, a CONSER participants meeting, and interviews. Findings, discussion, and…

Five librarians considered authorities on quality cataloging in the OCLC Online Union Catalog were interviewed to obtain their views on the current level of quality control in the OCLC database, the responsibilities of OCLC and individual libraries in improving the quality of records, and the consequences of quality control problems. (CLB)

Four intertwined issues in networking--local systems, linking, linking standards, and database ownership--need to be dealt with by bibliographic utilities and librarians, as their members, in the very near future. The resolution of these major issues will significantly affect the future direction of nationwide networking. (Author)

Six large academic libraries which belong and contribute cataloging to national online networks were studied. Interviews with catalogers, library administrators, and network quality control personnel showed that nationwide evaluation of catalogers' records creates enhanced status and influence for cataloging peer groups and provides opportunities…

This syllabus for a continuing education course describes the OCLC system and considers how it can be used by health science libraries. The general governance and administrative structure of OCLC and its network affiliates are detailed, and the OCLC subsystems--online union catalog, serials, interlibrary loan, and acquisitions--and their major…

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…

Describes the background of the Linked Systems Project, which is designed to link existing bibliographic utilities into a national system of machine-readable bibliographic data and discusses directions being taken by the library community and why the OSI architecture was selected as the system protocol. (CLB)

Examines the impact of automation on the future of library technical services. The areas discussed include the functions of technical services, how those functions are changing and will be organized, and the qualifications and recruitment of future technical services staff. (85 notes with references) (CLB)

Describes the activities of the Health Sciences OCLC User Group, which was organized to establish a forum for communication; provide information about National Library of Medicine cataloging rules in OCLC; maintain close relations with the National Library of Medicine and the Medical Libraries Association; and represent its constituency to OCLC.…

Examines the degree and extent of bibliographic data of selected electronic journals in national bibliographic utilities and the means to provide access to them at individual libraries. Demonstrates the potential issues of accessibility, as well as the acceptance of this new format of information resources by end users. (AEF)

Describes a survey that examined the extent of library technical processes automation within academic libraries at 10 Caribbean universities. Existing conditions, steps in progress, and plans for future automation are discussed. (8 references) (CLB)

This report on some of the strategic planning decisions that OCLC has made for the 21st century begins by describing the evolution of OCLC from a pioneer in the computer revolution with its Online Union Catalog and Shared Cataloging System in 1971 to a system that currently has nearly 60 distinct offerings. Corresponding computer and…

Five brief articles examine new library technologies and physical problems; potential health hazards posed by frequent use of photocopiers; psychological deterrence of electronic security systems; quality control of cooperative cataloging in a library network; and the billing system designed and programed for a medical library. Two articles…

School library pilot projects in New York State and the Westchester, New York, Library System are examined as a foundation for building the Southern Westchester Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) School Library System. The creation of this BOCES system is charted from the processes of obtaining the planning grant, state mandates,…

Beginning this annual report is a letter to the OCLC membership from OCLC President and Chief Executive Officer, K. Wayne Smith. Statistical data are then presented in tables and/or graphs for OCLC programs and the system's financial status for fiscal years 1990/91 and 1989/90; the growth of the OCLC Online Union Catalog from 1971-1991 in terms of…