This simplified description of the Ohio College Library Center (OCLC) includes an interview with OCLC director Fred Kilgour. (PF)

The May, 1976, Association of Research Libraries (ARL) meeting included a variety of presentations on library networks. Susan Martin defined various categories of automated library networks, reviewed potential functions of such networks, and discussed the implications for individual library operations. LeMoyne Anderson listed forces which are…

Describes a contract between the reference service of a library system in Illinois and a commercial supplier of information in Berkeley, California, to provide the answers to 200 reference questions for a flat rate of $6000. The contract, considered the first of its kind, successfully relieved a current reference overload. (RAA)

The Southeastern Library Network (SOLINET) Committee on Computer Output Microfilm (COM) is drafting a plan for SOLINET's role in computer catalog production for member libraries. The primary purpose of this report is to record information on microfilm catalog production and utilization. The report presents alternative designs for SOLINET's role in…

Considers aspects of building, maintaining, and using United States MARC format and other related standards, discussing costs and benefits, MARC and the American National Standards Institute's Z39 standard, effects of MARC on content and processing, compatibility between and within standards, and MARC in practice. Nineteen sources are cited. (EJS)

Libraries will play a key role in providing access to machine-readable data bases by functioning as the interface or broker between the users on campus and these regional and special processing and distribution centers. High cost will prohibit libraries from acquiring and managing data bases. (6 references) (Author)

Explores methods and costs of the retrospective conversion process, i.e., converting card catalog records into machine readable form to create an automated catalog. Data conversion standards, methods, search strategy, databases, verification and editing, costs, and products of conversion are noted. Thirty-two references are cited. (EJS)

As part of its responsibility for the development of bibliographic services in Australia, the Australian National Library presents this draft proposal for a national online shared cataloging facility to be known as the Australian Bibliographic Network or ABN. A preface describes ABN's historical background and relationship to BIBDATA, a previously…

This design phase study concerning the proposed replication of the DOBIS system for the British Columbia Library Network (BCLN) was conducted to determine the preferred strategy for the transfer and loading of the British Columbia Union Catalogue (BCUC) database currently resident at the University of Toronto's UTLAS system. User and database…

Examines online searching done for public libraries during October 1984 at The System Reference Service of the multitype North Suburban Library System. Highlights include total requests searched online, total public library requests searched online (by subject category), samples of successful and unsuccessful public library searches, databases…

Online database searching experiences of nine Illinois public libraries--Arlington Heights, Deerfield, Elk Grove Village, Evanston, Glenview, Northbrook, Schaumburg Township, Waukegan, Wilmette--are discussed, noting search costs, user charges, popular databases, library acquisition, interaction with users, and staff training. Three sources are…

Describes automated library network developed when five municipal library systems entered into an equal partnership to create single database and to jointly own a computerized circulation and MARC records system. Highlights include use of microcomputers, the shared circulation system, costs, benefits, governance, equality, stability and financial…

This study to determine the hardware and computing facility costs of establishing and operating a British Columbia Library Network (BCLN) for current members of the B. C. Union Catalogue used empirical data regarding their performance of the DOBIS system and estimates of workload, and compared those data with the costs of obtaining current…

The Ohio College Library Center (OCLC) is a nonprofit computerized library processing center operating out of Columbus, Ohio. Six years after its incorporation, OCLC is now mainly in the business of operating a shared cataloging system and producing catalog cards designed to meet the needs of each of its member libraries. OCLC also maintains a…

This is a general descriptive and comparative report on alternative forms of library catalogs. The specific problems and factors associated with library catalogs are introduced briefly and then treated with respect to the following physical forms: card catalogs, book catalogs, microforms, and on-line catalogs. Whenever possible, examples of…