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)

This review of research on subject searching in library catalogs includes a summary of research findings, reasons for search failures, free text versus controlled vocabulary searching, and studies of users' needs. Suggestions for future action to improve subject access in the online catalog are noted. A 52-item bibliography is included. (EJS)

The online catalog discussed in this report extends the present microfiche union catalog development by providing online access to bibliographic records for the holdings of the University of California Libraries. The specifications for the user interface through which the library patron communicates with the online systems to locate materials are…

Discusses the goals of library catalogs, how and to what extent these goals are achieved, and differences which exist among online, card, book, and microform catalogs. Access and display of information are noted, highlighting form of entries (main entries, corporate authorship, subject description) and search strategies. Seven references are…

Describes two options that can address the issues of catalog production in a bilingual environment: a two-file option, which is the equivalent of a separate catalog for each language, and a totally bilingual catalog. The technical characteristics of each option, and the appropriateness of each for different user communities, are discussed. (eight…

As a continuation of research into online public access catalog systems (OPAC's), this study focused on the actual use of OPAC's and on refinement of the methodologies used in carrying out transaction analysis studies. Current patron use patterns were obtained via machine-readable catalogs from four online public catalog systems: The Library of…

Description of NOMAD, a database management system with flexibility and "friendly" design in use at the Bank of America library, focuses on costs, objectives, database structure, access, and its use to create an automated book catalog and spending reports. Six references are included. (EJS)

Discusses ability of small computers to hold interface programs, to retrieve data from central source, to manipulate and present that data, and to engage in dialog with system user. An example of a feasible dialog between user and system which mediates and translates user's data into machine terms is highlighted. (EJS)

Explains rationale behind proposed voluntary U.S. standard computerized library catalog called the "Uniform Catalog." Design goals (should mimic manual card catalog, offer simplicity of operation and low overhead, permit modular growth to more advanced catalog), sample search, and nine commands and functions used by "Uniform…

Discussion of planning, installation, and results of an online catalog at University of Maryland Health Sciences Library highlights Integrated Library System, speed and patron perceptions of online catalog, searching power, ways in which catalog can bypass physical and organizational boundaries, and effect on staff and users of the library. (EJS)

Retrievability of titles of 152 periodicals were compared in a fixed-length algorithmic search (Library Computer System) and a keyword search (Washington Library Network) to determine which type of search algorithm is more successful with titles of varying lengths. Three references and a list of English language stopwords are appended. (EJS)

This overview of the current capabilities of subject access in online public catalogs discusses keyword searching versus subject cataloging, users' views of the online catalog, and user-friendly versus user-hostile systems. Existing online catalogs in public and academic libraries are cited as examples. (EJS)

Discussion of Library of Congress's efforts to meet challenge of designing and improving its online catalog system LOCIS (consists of SCORPIO and MUMS systems) includes sample searches and results of user surveys (access points in online catalog searches and response to input search statements resulting in no retrievals). (5 references) (EJS)

Sketches history, design, and future plans of VUBIS (joint development of VUB--Vrije Universiteit Brussel/Free University of Brussels, and IS--Interactive Systems, Inc.), an online, user-friendly, public access library system for a European academic library. Search capabilities, cataloging subsystem, and software are discussed. Thirteen references…

Discusses the definition of an online library catalog; five factors to be considered by the online catalog designer; user-computer communication (error messages, help screens, prompts, unnatural language); online tutorials and offline instruction offered by bibliographic instruction librarians; and the current situation. Nine references are…