Provides an overview of research conducted at Victoria University of Wellington regarding differing perceptions and expectations of user communities and librarians related to the usability of digital services. Considers access to services, currency of information on the Web site, the online public access catalog, databases, electronic journals,…

Presents abstracts of 15 special interest group (SIG) sessions. Topics include navigation and information utilization in the Internet, natural language processing, automatic indexing, image indexing, classification, users' models of database searching, online public access catalogs, education for information professions, information services,…

This second report on a two-part study on the application of informetrics to information retrieval (IR) system design used models of database contents in a factorial simulation study at the University of Western Ontario. The study explored whether different file structures were better suited for different informetric environments. (32 references)…

An experiment in manipulating machine-readable library records for use in subject searching indicated that such programs would be useful to extend service outside a single library location. (Author/PF)

Computer-output microfilm (COM) is used at the University of Wisconsin-Stout Library to generate reports from its major machine readable data bases. Conditions indicating the need to convert to COM include existence of a machine readable data base and high cost of report production. Advantages and disadvantages must also be considered before…

A description of how one special library uses B ALLOTS for answering specific questions dealing with monographs, verification of citations, bibliographies on either subjects or authors, background information on organizations, and interlibrary loans. Features of the BALLOTS data base are discussed, including system files, indexes and search keys,…

This discussion of the use of optical scanning and computer formatting for retrospective conversion focuses on a series of applications known as Optical Scanning for Creation of Information Databases (OSCID). Prior research in this area and the usefulness of OSCID for creating low-priced machine-readable data representing older materials are…

A regionally organized program for serials bibliography is proposed because of the large volume of complex data needing control and the many purposes to which the data can be put in support of regional or local needs. (2 references) (Author)

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)

Reviews programs aimed toward building of national database--RECON Working Task Force's Study of feasibility of converting the retrospective records of the Library of Congress, Cooperative MARC (COMARC), REMARC, and CONSER (continuing effort to build national database of serial records). Current efforts contributing to the evolving network are…

Discusses the issues involved in the development of bilingual access to Spanish and bilingual materials held by libraries serving the Spanish speaking, with special reference to California. A progress report on the endeavors of the California Spanish Language Data Base is given. Four references are listed. (Author/LLS)

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)

In this research project, subject terms from the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) Schedules and Relative Index were incorporated into an online catalog as searcher's tools for subject access, browsing, and display. Four features of the DDC were employed to help searchers browse for and match their own subject terms with the online catalog's…

Describes the implementation of BRS/Search in the Library and Information Services department of the Chem Systems Group, an international consulting organization in the United Kingdom. The use of integrated systems in special libraries is discussed, and requirements of the new system are explained, including full text capabilities and networking…

Describes the development of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) library information network which provides NRL scientists with access to CD-ROM databases, electronic journals, software applications, the Internet, and the library's online catalog. Implementation phases, system research and development, CD-ROM networking feasibility analysis,…