The growth in number and kind of online reference services has resulted in both new users consulting library research services as well as new patterns of service use. Staffing in-person and virtual reference services desks adequately requires a systematic analysis of patterns of use across service points in order to successfully meet fluctuating…

This report summarizes research undertaken at the Sterling C. Evans Library, Texas A & M University to assess the impact that end user information retrieval systems may have on library staff and users. Two systems, BRS/After Dark and Search Helper, were made available in the library for end user searching at no cost. A total of 260 users…

This document explores the various issues and concerns related to the development of online systems in libraries and, in particular, online catalogs. Following a preface, foreword, and introduction, chapters are devoted to each of the following topics: (l) providing for special interests including the disabled; (2) authority control; (3) subject…

A national study of users and non-users of public access online catalog systems (OPACs) was undertaken at 29 libraries, representing 15 computer systems, to provide data and interpretations useful to system designers and library administrators. The findings indicate that users have overwhelmingly positive responses to OPACs. Non-users have…

This document is one of ten kits distributed annually by the Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC), a clearinghouse operated by the Association of Research Libraries, Office of Management Studies (ARL/OMS) that provides a central source of timely information and materials on the management and operations of large academic and research…

The January, 1974, meeting of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) focused on "Changing Objectives in Research Libraries." Two speakers--Hugh Atkinson, Director of Libraries at the Ohio State University, and Richard Boxx, Director of Libraries at the University of Tennessee--discussed client definitions of library objectives,…

This study examines the use of online bibliographic retrieval systems in a selected number of science and technology libraries chosen for their leadership reputation; it is limited to the use of online systems operated by a library staff member. Participating libraries included 12 academic, one government, and 10 research or institutional…

The four papers included in this publication provide an overview of the movement toward computer-based alternatives to library card catalogs. Three of the papers were presented at the 1978 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) membership meeting; the fourth provides an introduction to the volume. The introductory paper, by Richard Dougherty,…

Discusses features of online library catalogs and their cost characteristics, including financial management and planning (hardware and software options, turnkey vendors); approaches to cost analysis (actual experiences, building blocks); baseline estimates for two average academic libraries; and vendor estimates. Forty-five references and a…

An automated minicomputer-based library management system is being developed at the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology Library (RITL). RAMAS (the RITL Automated Management System) currently deals with periodical check-in, claiming, index-handling, and binding control. A RAMAS bibliographic record can be accessed from eight different points…

In fall 1984, the Georgia Institute of Technology administration and library staff began planning for Library 2000, a project aimed at creating a showcase library to demonstrate the application of the latest information technology in an academic and research environment. The purposes of Library 2000 include: increasing awareness of students,…

The 56 papers in this proceedings are divided into three groups--theme, alternative format, and contributed papers. Myths and realities are explored in the first group as they relate to university, college, community, and junior college libraries, and to private sector information utilities. The conference wrap-up session is included in this…

Based on responses solicited from 26 Association of Research Library (ARL) members reflecting a variety of systems office configurations, this report describes the configurations at several ARL institutions and presents some major organizational patterns for systems offices and their relationship to the larger library organization. Original…

Highlights of the Council on Library Resources' (CLR) 28th year and descriptions of active projects are included in the body of this report. Preliminary materials include lists of members of the council and of the board of directors, council committees and officers, and council staff and consultants, as well as a memorial to Louis Booker Wright,…

To gather information on current catalog maintenance practices, researchers selected institutions from respondents to the September 1984 version of the OMS (Office of Management Studies) Automation Inventory of Research Libraries. A telephone survey of technical services and systems staff at 23 libraries investigated a wide range of issues related…