Describes the results of surveys that examined how academic libraries are employing authority control, the impact of AACR2 and online catalogs on the need for authority control, and the effect of OCLC cataloging on a university library catalog established without authority control for corporate or personal names. (62 references) (Author/CLB)

This description of the automated acquisitions system used by Knox College Library provides a history of its development and compares the system to the OCLC Acquisitions Subsystem. The system's chief management tool--a dealer report and several permutations (sorts by publisher and fund)--is discussed. Six references are cited. (EJS)

A study was conducted at Texas A&M University that compared the intactness (i.e., the presence or absence of a bibliographic record) and the accuracy of the bibliographic data in the public card catalog and in the online catalog (ALIS II). Results indicate the online catalog was less intact, but more accurate. (two references) (LRW)

Describes ALEPH, the research library network in Israel, and analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of its decentralized structure. Highlights include comparisons between RLIN and ALEPH; centralized versus decentralized networks; the format of ALEPH; authority control in ALEPH; and non-Roman scripts in both networks. (16 references) (LRW)

Discussion of library digital reference services focuses on the features of instant messaging reference systems and the in-house development of a system that incorporates them at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Summarizes and evaluates library chat system features and compares commercial software that is available. (Author/LRW)

Researchers studying subject searching distributed an online questionnaire to users who access the University of California's online public access catalog, MELVYL, from public access terminals in the libraries of the University of California at Santa Cruz. This article discusses the results of transaction log analysis, comparison of in-library and…

Describes a study conducted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln library that investigated the impact of automated display on catalog records by comparing the card and online versions of records created according to ISBD (International Standard Bibliographic Description) conventions. The development of a new cataloging code is recommended.…

Describes PACE (Public Access Catalogue Extension), an alternative interface designed to enhance online catalogs by simulating images of books and library shelves to help users browse through the catalog. Results of a test in a college library against a text-based online public access catalog, including student attitudes, are described.…

Reports on time effectiveness and success rate of various methods used by the Interlibrary Loan Department (ILL) of the Paul Klapper Library, Queens College, City University of New York (CUNY). Requests processed by ILL during fall 1979 and spring 1981 on the OCLC ILL subsystem, a CUNY teletype service, and the New York State Interlibrary Loan…

Describes an evaluation of variability in the percentage of subject searching in an online catalog among branch libraries of one university. The results reported include variability by time of day, day of week, and week of semester. The value of this type of information for library administration is discussed. (CLB)

Offers a model for choosing among CD-ROM, end user access, mediated online searching, or locally mounted files as alternatives for extending online catalogs and replacing printed indexes. Estimates of demand and comparisons of costs made at Trinity and Clemson Universities provide a quantitative framework for selection. (Contains four references.)…

Evaluation of data from assessments of full bibliographic displays in academic library OPACs (online public access catalogs) and World Wide Web catalogs against a checklist of desirable features found that OPAC displays scored 58% and Web displays scored 60%. Discusses weaknesses, focusing on those found in the majority of the displays…