Analyzes four descriptive cataloging orthodoxies of the past (corporate authorship, uniform personal headings, the main entry, and the dominance of the card catalog) and contends that each has been overthrown. The influence of the MARC format on descriptive cataloging is examined and the need for the application of utilitarian principles is…

The five critical years in the development of OCLC (1951-56), the culmination of a century of cooperation between Ohio's colleges and universities, are used to underscore its expansion into a bibliographic utility interconnecting 2400 institutions in the United States and Canada. There are 19 references. (RAA)

Describes a transaction log analysis of the New York Public Library research libraries' OPAC (online public access catalog). Much of the remote searching occurred when the libraries were closed and was more evenly distributed than internal searching, demonstrating that remote searching could expand access and reduce peak system loads. (Contains…

Discusses an increase in library users providing services for themselves that were formerly provided by library staff, and describes a study conducted at Ohio State University that measured (1) the public's acceptance of patron-initiated renewals and other capabilities, and (2) the resulting impact on staff activity. (five references) (LRW)

A method of developing computer catalogs is proposed which does not require unit card conversion but rather the accumulation of data from operating programs. It is proposed that the bibliographic and finding functions of the catalog be separated, with the latter being the first automated. (8 references) (Author)

Describes an experiment conducted at the University of Illinois at Chicago that was designed to determine whether adding a substantial number of subject headings would raise circulation rates. The effects of added contents notes, keyword searching, browsing, and displays on the online catalog are examined, and further research is suggested. (27…

The planning and results of a recent inventory of the main library of the Houston Public Library are described. (PF)

Discussion of the influence of library catalog use studies on cataloging codes and practices focuses on a study of reference staff members at three Association of Research Libraries academic libraries that was conducted to determine their use of bibliographic record elements. Records in online catalogs and bibliographic utilities are examined, and…

Describes a study conducted at Ohio State University that used data obtained from the interlibrary loan process to determine why some users failed to find existing entries in the online library catalog. User errors as opposed to catalog errors are examined, and implications for bibliographic instruction are suggested. (eight references) (LRW)

Reports on the results of two experiments testing the effectiveness of a concept-based computer tutorial for OPAC (online public access catalog) users. Factors that may have caused differences in results, including OPACs used in the experiments and the participants' different ability levels, are discussed. Findings are related to similar studies.…

Describes results of a survey conducted at Indiana State University libraries that studied patron perceptions and demographics related to keyword searching on LUIS, the online public access catalog (OPAC) available through NOTIS (Northwestern Online Total Integrated System.) Demographics studied include age, status, frequency of LUIS use, and…

Results of study on patron information retrieval success and patron use patterns at Ohio State University show that 90 percent of online users preferred online to card catalog; 64 percent of those who tried online catalog switched to it; and patrons used the online more than the card catalog. References are provided. (EJS)

Describes a study that measured undergraduate students' grasp of library concepts taught using the online catalog and the traditional card catalog, and student preferences for one system over the other. The discussion includes the comparative effectiveness of different instructional methods. (12 notes with references) (Author/CLB)

Presents results of an evaluation of C.D. Cat, a CD-ROM union catalog developed by the Associated College Libraries of Central Pennsylvania consortium. Outcomes are reported in the areas of bibliographic quality, user evaluation, public relations strategies, bibliographic instruction, and guidelines for continuing operations. Recommendations are…