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…

Describes a study that examined the search behavior of remote users of the University of California MELVYL online public access catalog by analyzing the transaction logs. Highlights include the number of searches, databases searched, number of retrievals, constructing search commands, problems with search terms, and effectiveness of searches.…

Results are reported from a study that investigated the extent to which academic library end users conducted multiple search sessions with online public access catalogs or CD-ROM databases at different stages of their information seeking related to a research project. Implications for training, retrieval systems design, and further research are…

Describes a HyperCard program developed at the University of Denver library to provide computer-assisted reference service for business information as well as instructions for using the online catalog and a database of journal articles. Examples of menu screens are included, and usage of the program is examined. (five references) (LRW)

This discussion of the major issues concerning online public access library catalogs highlights types of systems, user behavior, structure of systems and user-friendly information retrieval methods (menus, fuzzy matches, prompters), and additional search strategy features (limits, browsing, truncation). Three references are listed. (EJS)

Review of research on online public access catalogs sponsored by Council on Library Resources notes the scope and method (questionnaires administered to catalog users and nonusers in 29 participating institutions) and findings and applications (including organizational setting and computer system, catalog use and satisfaction, and implications).…

Findings of focused-group interviews conducted for OCLC study of library users and online public access catalogs (OPACs) indicate users like OPACs, have problems finding right subject heading, envision features to improve subject access, want access to more than books, and want OPACs to provide new services. Eight references are listed. (EJS)

To determine if users of the library at Auburn University (Alabama) used the cross-references provided by the series title authority file in online catalog searches, this study performed a transaction log analysis of 2,793 searches and found that cross-references are used. The number of redirects rose as the number of cross-references in the…

This 2-year project at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) was conducted to determine the feasibility of providing online periodical indexing to the journal holdings of the UTA libraries by demonstrating an extended use of the libraries' NOTIS Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) to provide better access to local resources. Three approaches…

This study investigated the use patterns of four CD-ROM systems--Newsbank Electronic Index, SilverPlatter's ERIC and PsycLIT, and Dissertation Abstracts Ondisc--and their print index counterparts in the University of Georgia (UGA) Main Library, which houses collections and provides library services for the humanities, the social sciences, and…

Analyses of the success-failure rates and user reactions using four public access online systems indicate that users overwhelmingly preferred the online to manual systems. Improved subject access emerged as the salient feature requiring improvement. Seven references are included. (Author/RAA)

Presents the background, database, user instructions, design criteria, hardware, and commands of the online catalog system at the University of New Brunswick (Canada) library, as well as self-instructional features of the system. Evaluation of systems use and potential applications are discussed, and sample displays are provided. (RBF)

Traditional methods of studying and evaluating use of online public access catalogs (OPACs) are discussed and compared to verbal protocol method (spoken records of people describing their work that uncover detailed data about thinking during problem solving). Results of Carnegie-Mellon University protocol study of OPAC users are discussed. (22…

Reviews the literature on user studies in both online catalogs and bibliographic retrieval systems. User problems with both mechanical and conceptual aspects are reviewed and potential sources of problems due either to individual characteristics or system variables are discussed. Possible solutions and areas that need further research are noted.…

Ohio State University Library studied abilities of undergraduates to identify correct sources for answering reference questions when using the online catalog and the Sourcefinder database with its new Question Unit feature. Users located subjects and instructions at a greater percentage with Sourcefinder than with the online catalog. Topics…