Patron-Driven Acquisitions (PDA) is a new model used for e-book acquisition by academic libraries. A key component of this model is to make records of ebooks available in a library catalog and let actual patron usage decide whether or not an item is purchased. However, there has been a lack of research examining the role of the library catalog as…

Academic libraries are turning increasingly to unified search solutions to simplify search and discovery of library resources. Unfortunately, very little research has been published on library user search behavior in single search box environments. This study examines how users search a large public university library using a prominent, single…

This study explores student use of the mobile Web in general and expectations for an academic library's mobile Web site in particular through focus groups with students at Kent State University. Participants expressed more interest in using their mobile Web device to interact with library resources and services than anticipated. Results showed an…

A number of academic, public, regional, and state libraries use WorldCat Local (WCL) as a resource location tool that enables users to search, find, and gain access to a range of print and electronic resources. This article describes a study undertaken to assess a Research I university's implementation of WCL. The study sought to understand the…

In 2000, Eastern Washington University became part of the Cascade Consortium and participated in consortial borrowing through the Cascade Union Catalog. In 2003, the Orbis and Cascade consortia merged into the Orbis Cascade Alliance, which manages the Summit Union Catalog. Since 2000, Cascade or Summit consortial borrowing has increased while…

A questionnaire survey conducted at the State Library of Victoria indicates that users in general, and not just scholars, value the standard elements of bibliographic data found in the Library's catalogues, and consider all these elements useful for finding, identifying and selecting items. Rather than making do with less, users wanted more…

This paper attempts to analyze the problem of congestion, using a mathematical model shown to be of value in other similar applications. Three criteria of congestion are considered, and it is found that the conclusion one can draw is sensitive to which of these criteria is paramount. (8 references) (Author/NH)

Technological developments of the past twenty years have resulted in renewed interest in book-form catalogs. Users were surveyed at two libraries to determine that their satisfaction with bibliographical data, entry points, and physical form. (17 references) (Author/DH)

Union catalogues have had an important place in libraries for many years. Their use has been little investigated. Recent interest in the relative merits of physical and virtual union catalogues and a recent collaborative project between a physical and several virtual union catalogues in the United Kingdom led to the opportunity to study how users…

A summary and overview is given of a several-year research project, Requirements Study for Future Catalogs.'' The research was intended essentially to ascertain what information should be recorded in future library catalogs in order to best serve their users. Various publications and reports based on the project are summarized. (Author/NH)

The Vigo County Public Library studied patron use of the card catalog by reviewing nearly 300 questionnaires completed by student and adult users. The results indicate that the catalog is used equally to find author, title, and subject -- with the latter a bit more prevalent. Most users did not find the filing difficult, and preferred use of the…

In this literature review, the effect of catalog division on catalog departments in terms of cost, physical expansion of the catalog, as well as methods and different kinds of division are considered. (Author/PF)

Questionnaires completed by library catalog users revealed that catalogs are more widely used in academic libraries than in public libraries, especially at the county level. Guidance in use of the catalog by librarians promotes use by library patrons. Reasons for non-use and methods of using the catalog were surveyed. (4 references) (SJ)

Describes a computer simulation model developed to provide information on the number of terminals or readers needed in the advent of microfilm or computerized catalogs in libraries. Systems with two to 14 terminals are simulated, and decision variables include average patron waiting time, number of patrons lost, and average terminal utilization.…

The Library Management Research Unit tested a survey design to measure and evaluate author catalogue use in four varying libraries. Readers were asked to note details of items not found in the catalogue and the source of the reference. Items were checked to discover the cause of failure.'' (9 references) (Author/DH)