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…

Explores issues surrounding efforts to introduce online catalogs to users and presents relevant research results from Northwestern University's "Educating the Online Catalog User" project. Highlights include attitudes and preconceptions about online catalogs and instruction, research on online catalog use, suggestions for online catalog teaching,…

Describes implementation of five subsystems of Integrated Library System's (ILS) version 2.1 (minicomputer-based automated library system) at the Pentagon Library: online catalog (search strategies, user acceptance); bibliographic subsystems (cataloging, retrospective conversion); circulation; serials check-in; administrative subsystem (report…

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…

Discusses results of opinion poll conducted by Library and Information Technology Association of 334 academic, public, government, and corporate libraries concerning authority control in the online environment. Use of authority files on bibliographic utilities, presence of online catalogs, Library of Congress authority records, and comments from…

Four papers discuss LANs (local area networks) and library applications: (1) "Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers Standards..." (Charles D. Brown); (2) "Facilities Planning for LANs..." (Gail Persky); (3) "Growing up with the Alumni Library: LAN..." (Russell Buchanan); and (4) "Implementing a LAN...at the Health Sciences Library"…

Discusses design features of the Online Catalog of LS/2000, OCLC's enhanced version of Integrated Library System. This minicomputer-based system provides bibliographic file maintenance, circulation control, and online catalog searching. Examples of available displays--holdings, full MARC, work forms, keyword entry, index selection, brief citation,…

This review of the overall findings of the "Educating the Online Catalog User" project at Northwestern University Library focuses on methods of data collection used in evaluating online catalog performance and user performance. The rationale and methodology of transaction log monitoring and new directions for technical development are…

Five papers discuss topics related to the USMARC Community Information Format (CIF), including using CIF to create a public service resource network; development of a CIF-based database of materials relating to multicultural and differently-abled populations; background on CIF; development of an information and referral database; and CIF and…

Describes three areas of concern common to most major research libraries--storage requirements, preservation of library collections, and remote access to library resources--that are adaptable to current developments in computer-based information delivery. Data on University of California's nine-campus library system is cited. Eleven sources are…

Discusses evolution of Integrated Library System (ILS) since its beginning at National Library of Medicine, highlighting events leading to ILS development; formative design stages, formation of Online Computer System; installation of ILS version 1.0 at Pentagon library; development of version 2.0, formation of Avatar Systems; OCLC's acquisition of…

Summaries of presentations made at the Technology at the Library of Congress conference held in May 1986 describe new technologies that the library is applying to its programs and services, including advances in bibliographic control; automated acquisitions systems; computer-to-computer communications; linking of national bibliographic utilities;…

Describes research strategy and methods of comparative evaluation conducted by the National Library of Medicine to assess user acceptance and technical performance of two prototype patron accessible online catalog systems within same operational environment. User acceptance studies included sample search experiment, comparison search experiment,…

User-friendly computer terminals with touch sensitive screens are used in new instruction and information dissemination system operating at Providence Public Library and Rockefeller Library at Brown University. This microcomputer-based turnkey system offers databases built by librarians providing information such as use of library, book reviews,…

Describes issues and advances in the design of appropriate inference engines and knowledge structures needed by commercially feasible intelligent intermediary systems for information retrieval. Issues associated with the design of interfaces to such functions are discussed in detail. Design principles for guiding implementation of these interfaces…