This paper describes the development of an automated authority control system for the Genealogical Society of Utah, which has large holdings of microfilmed records from many nations, including civil registration, parish registers, local records, and census records. The key function of the library is the identification of people. From the…

An evaluation of the Information Dynamics Corporation Retrieval System in an academic library, describing the specification of the machine and the various reader printers tested at Mills Memorial Library, McMaster University. (Author)

Presents overview of library uses of automation, noting the earliest example of a "black box" in 1588, the "indicator" invented in England in 1863, various forms of card catalogs, and computer solutions posed by Vannevar Bush, J. C. R. Licklider, Project Intrex, and John G. Kemeny. Ten references are cited. (EJS)

A committee was appointed in March 1978 to investigate feasible alternatives to the existing card catalog at Northwestern University Library; this interim report reviews the committee's activities and recommendations, identifies tasks still to be completed, and describes the status of a proposed online successor to the card catalog. Ten concerns…

Discusses some of the problems in creating bibliographic descriptions for materials published in languages which employ nonroman scripts, analyzes the impact of online catalog systems in overcoming some of these difficulties, and describes some of the computer hardware, particularly terminals, being developed to handle nonroman scripts. (JL)

This paper discusses the current resurgence of interest in authority files and describes the automated authority files of the National Library of Canada. Factors contributing to this interest in such files include cooperative programs between libraries, the development of international standards, and the impact of computer technology and…

This discussion of the use of computer output microform (COM) as a feasible alternative to the library card catalog includes a brief history of library catalogs and of microform technology since World War II. It is argued that COM catalogs are to be preferred to card catalogs, online catalogs accessed by terminals, and paper printouts. Advantages…

Discusses a formula for determining number of microfiche readers needed in public libraries based on a Los Angeles County Public Library study weighing library size, user population, and information disseminating activity. Data on number of microfiche readers available to public in randomly selected Canadian public libraries are presented.…

Prepared for users of OCLC terminals at the Michigan State University library, this manual provides a brief description of the contents of the OCLC database, instructions for constructing search requests in OCLC, guidelines for interpreting OCLC search results, a key to "reading" the OCLC screen, an overview of typical terminal responses…

This directory to the cataloging marketplace lists 57 places to obtain cataloging cards and products in eight categories: utilities, catalog cards only-vendors, COM catalog/database management vendors, software packages, Library of Congress (LC) cataloging information vendors (non-computerized), and publishers. Vendors' addresses, telephone…

Computer/automated catalogs have been in use in secondary schools for some time and have numerous advantages. A public access catalog (PAC) allows networking with other libraries, use of the Boolean search function, and the retrieval of bibliographic citations from a variety of access points. Moreover, PAC's have recently become more user…

This annual review article examines the progress made and pitfalls encountered by the automated library system marketplace during calendar year 1984. Total marketplace activity is represented by events that occurred in four segments: turnkey systems, library-developed software, software designed to run on microcomputers, and production of…

Discusses factors to consider when estimating the number of public access terminals (PACs) or workstations needed in public and academic libraries for online catalogs, including building size and layout, physical facilities, resources available through the system, peripheral equipment, graphical user interfaces, remote users, system capacity, and…

Reports results of 1981-83 survey of 24 new and 22 remodeled 2-year college Learning Resource Centers, noting gross area, square foot cost, furniture/equipment costs, seats, and types of facilities. Major trends (square foot costs 1965-83, public catalog formats) and the flat roof disaster at Kauai Community College, Hawaii, are discussed. (EJS)

The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs Library began a small automation project when complete library automation was not possible. Despite limitations, the library has successfully integrated technology into its daily operations, including computer literacy programs for the staff, maintaining offline circulation records, and producing…