One of the toughest challenges in an academic library systems office is how to manage and present the extensive selection of electronic resources from a variety of vendors. At York College of Pennsylvania, the authors participated in an admissions-driven web revision cycle and used a campus-provided CMS for 8 years. During this time, they tried…

As a concept, the next-generation catalog (NGC) is not new to librarians, who have been wishing for better OPAC interfaces for their integrated library systems (ILSs). The NGC has been the focus of discussion for more than 5 years now, from the 2006 report of the implementation of Endeca at North Carolina State University, to Marshall Breeding's…

At the end of 2007, SirsiDynix introduced the first version of Symphony, its new flagship Integrated Library System (ILS). This article begins with a look at the evolution of Symphony, user reactions to Symphony, and Symphony's design and functionality. The authors, along with a team of librarians from various functional areas, have completed…

This final report of the Committee on the Future of the Card Catalog at the University of Virginia considers the evaluative reports of three task forces on the effects of AACR2 and recommends that the university library set as a top priority goal the design, development, and implementation of an online catalog by 1983. The committee further…

This collection of library documents which provide instructions for users of online public access catalogs in member libraries of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) contains: (1) a set of enhanced instructions for library users of Geac, a commercial online circulation system at the University of Arizona; (2) sets of materials of…

After considering the effects of AACR2 (American Anglo Catalog Rules 2) on the present catalog system, this task force on catalog usage recommends that the university library retain the present catalog beyond 1981 and later adopt an online catalog. Other options considered were, in order of priority, (1) close the catalog in 1981 and start an…

Discusses and compares some online catalog systems actually in operation in terms of self-service usability; number, choice, and formulation of access points; record content and display; database content; connections to technical processing and circulation; number and location of terminals; equipment and software features; and cost. (Six…

Findings of a project to convert a single LC class from cards to machine readable tapes at a two-year college suggest that an in-house retrospective conversion is feasible for academic libraries. A high conversion hit rate, implying minimal original cataloging, will keep project costs and duration low. There are five references. (RAA)

This survey of 57 members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) examines technical and management issues in providing remote access to their online catalogs, as well as with instructions and services for remote users. It is noted that most ARL libraries have not yet conducted studies to project the extent of use of remote access, although…

The four papers included in this publication provide an overview of the movement toward computer-based alternatives to library card catalogs. Three of the papers were presented at the 1978 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) membership meeting; the fourth provides an introduction to the volume. The introductory paper, by Richard Dougherty,…

Describes the latest modifications being made to OASIS, a front-end enhancement to the University of California's MELVYL online union catalog. Highlights include the X Windows interface; multiple database searching to act as an information network; Lisp implementation for flexible data representation; and OASIS commands and features to help…

A 1978 information survey of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) members indicated that at that time, only a few large libraries were planning to freeze their card catalogs and set up alternative catalog forms as a response to decisions made by the Library of Congress to freeze its card catalog, supply access to its collection through an…

Offers advice for ways in which librarians can help library patrons when online catalogs are down. Suggests using WorldCat, calling on other libraries, and employing various reference sources, such as Balay's Guide to Reference Books and the telephone. (Contains 6 references.) (NB)

COPAC is a union catalog giving access to the online catalog records of some of the largest academic research libraries in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Discussion includes ways in which duplicate detection and record consolidation procedures are carried out, along with problem areas encountered. (Author/AEF)

Sponsored by the 28 member libraries of the British Columbia Union Catalogue (BCUC), this proposal requests funds from provincial government to establish the British Columbia Library Network (BCLN), a computerized library information system based on the existing BCUC organization and database. Chapters describe the need for the establishment of…