Describes a study conducted to determine the main differences in online catalog searching styles and results among library staff, faculty, and patrons at Adelphi University (New York). Transaction log analysis, questionnaires, zero hit searches, keyword, author, title, subject, and other search strategies were evaluated to determine patterns of…

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)

Reports on study conducted at the James J. Hill Reference Library in St. Paul, Minnesota, which explored the extent to which duplicate records in the OCLC database are affecting usefulness of system. Search keys and 'search enhancements' recently introduced by OCLC are discussed with examples. Thirteen references are cited. (EJS)

Describes the serials book catalog at the Iowa State University Library, one which provides access points generated automatically from the central serials database by a unique, locally written computer program. (FM)

Describes an archive tape processing system which processes tapes received through OCLC-MARC subscription services to construct and maintain a master database of bibliographic records for libraries of each participating institution of the Triangle Research Libraries Network: Duke University; North Carolina State University, Raleigh; and University…

Discusses the goals of library catalogs, how and to what extent these goals are achieved, and differences which exist among online, card, book, and microform catalogs. Access and display of information are noted, highlighting form of entries (main entries, corporate authorship, subject description) and search strategies. Seven references are…

Reviews history of events leading to the Linked Systems Project and describes two major components: communications facility and applications programs. The initial application--sharing of authority data based on the Library of Congress Name Authority Cooperative Project--is discussed, and future applications and their implications are briefly…

Reviews the questions and problems in library cataloging addressed through the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by Panizzi, Cutter, and Lubetzky; asks whether computerization represents an advance that will free catalogers from earlier difficulties; and discusses the ongoing relevance of the principles of cataloging. A reference list is…

Technical services staff at Library of Congress (LC) currently number approximately 1,500. In addition to cataloging library materials for LC collections and producing centralized cooperative cataloging, LC's Processing Services staff work to develop standards and formats for machine-readable bibliographic data that can be used in libraries and…

Describes and analyzes various methods of automated authority control currently available and suggests questions to ask when considering purchase of system. Highlights include manual versus automated authority control and levels of service in automated authority systems (network, vendor). Glossary of terminology and list of networks and vendors…

Provides detailed model to be used to select most effective method for accomplishing library catalog retrospective conversion. The random sample, gathering information, and steps in project to be costed (searching, verification and editing, coding and input of nonhits, and obtaining final records) are discussed. Examples and eleven references are…

This paper analyzes proposals for augmenting library bibliographic records for improved subject searching in online catalogs by providing access to parts of books. Arguments for and against adding book content indexing, possible fields for enrichment, and feasibility of 11 alternatives for providing such information are presented. Twenty-two…

Describes various ways in which software systems for online catalogs can be designed to enhance subject access. Highlights include what to search (subject headings, titles, notes, authority-file records, classification numbers, and associated text); truncation and stemming; spelling correction; search strategies (headings, keywords, Boolean…

Considers the impact of technological advancement upon the role and function of the library catalog in the future. The state of the art in library catalogs, the information environment in 2006, future information services, and subject access systems are among the topics addressed. A 31-item reference list is attached. (JL)

Discusses trends in computer technology and their use for library catalogs, noting the concept of bandwidth (describes quantity of information transmitted per given unit of time); computer hardware differences (micros, minis, maxis); distributed processing systems and databases; optical disk storage; networks; transmission media; and terminals.…