Argues that users' needs should play a more prominent role in the design or choice of an online catalog in a specific library, and outlines requirements which enhance ease of use. Areas discussed include operational control, search formulation control, access points, output control, user assistance, and hardware requirements. (nine references)…

Describes Janet (the Joint Academic Network), a wide area network linking computers and users in the British academic community. Topics discussed include interactive working; file transfer; electronic mail; job transfer; and online access to library catalogs, bibliographic and numeric databases, and commercial online hosts in Great Britain or…

Describes the software architecture and application of SABRE (Semi-Automated Bibliographic Environment), which is one of the first products to provide a semi-automatic environment for relevancy ranking of citations obtained from searches of bibliographic databases. Features designed to meet the review, categorization, culling, and reporting needs…

Describes the usability evaluation of the CUNY (City University of New York) information system in Web and Graphical User Interface (GUI) versions. Compares results to an earlier usability study of the basic information database available on CUNY's wide-area network and describes the applicability of the previous usability instrument to this…

Discusses use of the MARC format for cataloging Internet resources. The benefits of MARC, importance of integrated information resources, and the guarantee of public access are cited as major reasons for using traditional cataloging and library OPACs. Suggests Internet resource collection criteria and the roles of various groups of people needed…

Describes a model for the standardization of names in bibliographic databases. Discusses a prototype that was developed to demonstrate feasibility of the model, and investigates the impact of implementing the model. Findings suggested that the new model will revolutionize name authority control and that the prototype verifies the technical…

Compares LISA (Library and Information Science Abstracts) on SilverPlatter's CD-ROM with its replacement version, Bowker-Saur's LISA Plus. Features reviewed include entry to the databases; use of Boolean search facilities; indexes and browsing; displaying and printing records; subsidiary functions; on-screen help; and interfaces. (Contains eight…

Considers comparative prices for bibliographic data on CD-ROM and in print. Topics addressed include differences in the nature of bibliographic data in the two media, the relative complexities of pricing structure, varying policies on network pricing, and standardization of the licensing arrangement. (KRN)

Discussion of personal bibliographic systems (PBS) that manage the input, storage, retrieval, and output of bibliographic references focuses on low-cost mainstream bibliographic software for personal use or smaller libraries. Structural flexibility, indexes, printing and downloading, searching, and interface- and management-related issues are…

Describes an evaluation project in which King's College Library acted as a test site for the OCLC version of ERIC on CD-ROM. The description covers the provision of equipment, software, accompanying literature, and assessment questionnaires, as well as characteristics of the system and search facilities. Results discussed include user reaction and…

Details the development of the FISHLIT bibliographic database at the JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology Library at Rhodes University (South Africa), and the subsequent CD-ROM publication of the database by NISC (National Information Services Corporation). Discusses the advantages of CD-ROM publication, costs and information service provision,…

The National Library of Portugal undertook a leadership role in the development of the Portuguese Bibliographic database (PORBASE). The National Library defined cataloging standards and circulated them to Portuguese libraries to create a national catalog. PORBASE is a work in progress with ongoing technical projects and collaboration in the…