A comparative analysis of the time and cost to a library of providing on-line searching services without charge, or for a fee, is presented. (Author/KP)

Examines use of online access to bibliographic files in library reference service, focusing on two systems: OCLC and Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN). The development and current status of each system, differences between systems, search examples, user expectations, and advantages of online access are noted. Twenty references are…

Query forms used in library information systems are expressed in a generalized notation. Three relations, the FIELD, the inverse FIELD and the RECORD, are defined to express file access operations in known-item and subject searches, browsing, clustering operations, and truncation and word proximity searching. Eighteen references are cited. (EJS)

Reports on comparison of costs of manual versus computer reference service at Deerfield Public Library (Illinois) and Houston Public Library. Costs for online services, equipment, searches per database, salaries, reference books, business reference subscriptions, periodicals, and labor are included. Unknown costs and time involved to answer…

Questions related to the expansion of online bibliographic searching at the University of Wisconsin-Stout are examined. A brief review of the literature on why libraries search online is followed by a discussion of the specific situation at Stout where the ERIC data base is the only online service currently used. The variety of online data bases…

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)

A synthesis of the literature on the advertising and promoting of online bibliographic retrieval services in academic libraries was conducted to suggest specific approaches and methods that can be used to make the academic community more aware of these services. Six levels of activity in program planning for promoting online services are…

This study, which was conducted at the University of Quebec over a period of six months, focuses on four systems for online information retrieval that are available to users at the university and provide access to some of the same databases: BRS (Bibliographic Retrieval Services Inc.), CAN/OLE (Canadian On-Line Inquiry), Lockheed DIALOG, and…

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,…

Compares LISA (Library and Information Science Abstracts) on SilverPlatter's CD-ROM with its replacement version, Bowker-Saur's LISA Plus. Features reviewed include entry to the databases; use of Boolean search facilities; indexes and browsing; displaying and printing records; subsidiary functions; on-screen help; and interfaces. (Contains eight…

Description of end user online searching at University of Ottawa highlights user survey, establishment of after-hours end user search service, costs, regulations, training librarians, publicity, implications, comparison of online searching by end users and trained intermediaries, presearch counseling, and librarians' perceptions of end users.…

Focuses on the centralized, online, shared-cataloging facility of the Australian Bibliographic Network operated by the National Library of Australia. Existing automated library systems in Australia, selection and implementation of Washington Library Network software, comparison of Australian and U.S. automation, and projections for future…

A survey of 88 research libraries measuring staff involvement in key public service functions indicates that professional personnel are significantly more active in providing graduate library instruction, online searches, and reference service than paraprofessionals. When professional groups were compared, it was found that in those libraries…

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 research strategy and methods of comparative evaluation conducted by the National Library of Medicine to assess user acceptance and technical performance of two prototype patron accessible online catalog systems within same operational environment. User acceptance studies included sample search experiment, comparison search experiment,…