Reports on a comparative study of the postcoordinate retrieval effectiveness of Library of Congress Subject Headings and the Preserved Context Indexing System (PRECIS). Data are presented in six tables and one figure, and a reference list is included. (Author/JL)

Presents findings of project aimed at improving subject access in online library catalogs by generating records with augmented subject descriptions, termed BOOKS records, and comparing them with MARC records. Procedures involved in the selection of subject descriptions to generate a BOOKS record are described and illustrated. Six references cited.…

The fact that so many notions and principles set forth by Panizzi are still in evidence today is proof of his great contribution to present day cataloging. The comparisons made of the two sets of rules point out many contrasts and similarities. But even more significant is that, while reading the comparisons, one is constantly reminded of the…

This study examines precision and recall for title and keyword searches performed in the "FirstSearch" WorldCat database when keywords are used with and without adjacency of terms specified. A random sample of 68 titles in economics were searched in the OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) Online Union Catalog in order to obtain their…

Retrievability of titles of 152 periodicals were compared in a fixed-length algorithmic search (Library Computer System) and a keyword search (Washington Library Network) to determine which type of search algorithm is more successful with titles of varying lengths. Three references and a list of English language stopwords are appended. (EJS)

Describes a study which compared patron success in finding the same group of titles in the online catalog and the card catalog in two department libraries at Ohio State University. Reasons for patron success and failure with the online catalog are outlined and discussed. Five data tables are included. (Author/JL)

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)

Discusses results of a survey of music technical services librarians that investigated retrieval problems with the symbols for sharp and flat in music notation in online catalogs. Comparisons are made with an earlier study of online catalog vendors, and a list of institutions surveyed and the questionnaire used are appended. (LRW)

Discusses factors that should be considered when comparing microcomputer software for small and medium-sized library catalogs and describes eight specific packages--BRS/Search Micros/Mini Version, Card Catalog, Golden Retriever, INMAGIC, TEQLIB, FINDER, SCIMATE, and STAR. (Author/MBR)

This description of the functional characteristics of 20 online public catalogs in libraries in the United States notes their origin and scope, search methods, access points, search commands, record displays, user assistance, database and technical characteristics, and costs. Six references and illustrative material are provided. (EJS)

Describes a project that demonstrates subject searching in an experimental online catalog based on academic library databases that were enhanced with search trees; compares the retrieval effectiveness of search trees with random subject searching approaches; evaluates system and retrieval effectiveness; and discusses proposed research. (Contains…

Results of work of Centre for Catalogue Research into usability of library catalogs with different levels of content of entries and users' needs for bibliographic data elements suggest that much information normally included in catalog entry is rarely used, and its inclusion makes catalog use difficult. Twelve references are provided. (EJS)

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)

Compares traditional cataloging to Web-based. Discusses intellectual-access issues as they apply to reference services today, and outlines deficiencies in traditional cataloging, and corresponding attributes of Web-based intellectual access. Notes ways that catalogers and public-service librarians can address these issues. (Author/AEF)

Addresses an article written by Nicholson Baker in 1994 that lamented the demise of the paper card catalog, and points out important aspects of online catalogs and library computerization not discussed by Baker: authority control, collection preservation, collection costs, and access to materials. (JKP)