Discussion of online public access catalogs focuses on a study that evaluated 3 different systems in Great Britain. Comparative evaluations were made using structured exercises to determine searching techniques and transaction logs to investigate user behavior. Comments on future research are also given. (12 references) (LRW)

An online library catalog was used to evaluate an interactive query expansion facility based on relevance feedback for the Okapi, probabilistic, term weighting, retrieval system. A graphical user interface allowed searchers to select candidate terms extracted from relevant retrieved items to reformulate queries. Results suggested that the…

Describes a study at the City University (London) that was conducted to evaluate the impact of an online catalog on subject searching behavior. Methods of using the catalog and browsing at the shelves are examined, and results are compared with an earlier study of subject searching with a manual PRECIS index. (25 references) (LRW)

Description of classification schemes for fiction book retrieval covers traditional methods, universal systems, special systems, genre systems, and development of the AMP-classification system based on multidimensional analysis of users' requests (subject matter, setting, author's intention, accessibility). Trial applications and retrieval tests,…

The Simple Index Method overcomes the difficulties in building a core list for serials in interdisciplinary fields by using multiple indexes which cover various aspects of the subject. Collection-development librarians can develop a core list when standard bibliographies or specific indexing and abstracting tools are lacking and can tailor that…

Describes evaluation of an automatic query expansion (AQE) facility in the Okapi System, an online library catalog at City University in London (England). Results of transaction log analysis, search replays, questionnaires, and interviews are presented; and findings are discussed which indicate that AQE was beneficial in many searches. (12…