The question of whether a library's catalog should consist of cards arranged in a single alphabetical order (the "dictionary catalog) or be segregated as a separate file is discussed. Development is extended to encompass related problems involved in the creation of a book catalog. A model to study the effects of congestion at the catalog is…

A semi-humorous article suggesting that libraries should have both a dictionary catalog and a divided catalog. The author also suggests additional card catalogs, such as a people catalog and a place catalog. (Author)

Describes the results of a survey of public service librarians conducted by the Queens Borough Public Library to determine their confidence levels of using electronic resource to answer reference questions. Results demonstrated high confidence levels in using the library's online catalog and lower confidence in using the Internet. (Author/LRW)

Cooperation between different types of libraries to increase ease of patron access was not capable of great strides until the technological advances of the mid-1980s. Writers in the field are reporting increased pockets of activity, but also say that traditional ideas, such as pride of ownership or fear of future results from fixed commitments,…

Addresses an article written by Nicholson Baker in 1994 that lamented the demise of the paper card catalog, and points out important aspects of online catalogs and library computerization not discussed by Baker: authority control, collection preservation, collection costs, and access to materials. (JKP)

Discusses the needs of remote users of online public access catalogs (OPACs). User expectations are discussed; problems encountered by remote-access users are examined, including technical problems and searching problems; support services are described, including instruction, print guides, and online help; and differences from the needs of…

This study, undertaken in the fall of 1965, had four basic objectives: (1) to determine the feasibility of centralizing the cataloging operation of the 3 library systems, (2) to determine the desirability of inter-system centralization of book preparation and acquisition, (3) to propose the operating procedures and mechanisms integral to any…

Discusses new developments in online library catalogs, including Web-based catalogs; interconnectivity within the library; interconnectivity between libraries; graphical user interfaces; pricing models; and a checklist of questions to ask when purchasing a new online catalog. (LRW)

An experiment at the College of Charleston (South Carolina) library examined whether using Blackwell's Library of Congress Machine Readable Cataloging with books without the CIP upgrading would be worthwhile in terms of cataloging productivity and efficiency; it also looked at additional costs involved with the CIP upgrading. (AEF)

Considers issues and concerns relating to the integration of archival and manuscripts records into library bibliographic and retrieval systems. Differences in the nature of library and archival materials are discussed, library functions and archival functions are compared, and archival uses of authority files are described. (six references) (LRW)

Discusses an increase in library users providing services for themselves that were formerly provided by library staff, and describes a study conducted at Ohio State University that measured (1) the public's acceptance of patron-initiated renewals and other capabilities, and (2) the resulting impact on staff activity. (five references) (LRW)

Discusses issues librarians need to consider when providing access to electronic journals. Topics include gateways; index and abstract services; validation and pay-per-view; title selection; integration with OPACs (online public access catalogs)or Web sites; paper availability; ownership versus access; usage restrictions; and services offered…

Describes ways that the Denver Public Library's interlibrary loan department has adapted electronic-messaging technology to improve interlibrary loan services. Patron-initiated requesting, via e-mail or OCLC's order option, is discussed; the role of the OPAC is explained; and implementation and staff training is described. (LRW)

Compares the effectiveness of five online systems in facilitating interlibrary services. The OCLC Interlibrary Loan (ILL) subsystem, the Research Libraries Group (RLG) Message System, the University of Toronto Library Automation System (UTLAS), and two others are evaluated with respect to the request verification, location, request transmission,…

Libraries are moving into an era that incorporates improvements of a library's existing databases, embraces the research results of the information-seeking process, and makes fundamental improvements by adding new databases such as WordFocus. These new systems should convert the frustrated user of today's online public access catalog (OPAC) into…