Reports on a survey which assessed automated authority control capabilities of 18 vendors' automated library systems, software, or services. Graphs rank vendors according to overall score, authority record source, format/storage of authority records, database dynamics, matching/linking authority and bibliographic records, syndetic structure,…

Compares pricing of seven CD-ROM-based public access catalog systems for libraries of diverse sizes and groupings. Other features of the systems are outlined in the broad areas of database preparation, indexing, database updates, hardware, information retrieval, library controlled elements, interlibrary loan, reports, user support, future…

Compares database characteristics, access, display, editing, new records, hard copy products, hardware, and price of CD-ROM catalog production products from seven vendors: Gaylord Information Systems; General Research Corporation; The Library Corporation; OCLC; Solinet; Utlas; and the Western Library Network. (MES)

Identifies the four basic functions of library automation as circulation systems, online catalogs, acquisitions, and serial check-in, and compares the advantages and disadvantages of integrated library systems versus linked systems in terms of these functions. (3 notes with references) (CLB)

Describes a study which examined (1) the percentage of personal and corporate name authority records in the Library of Congress authority file that do not contain any references, and (2) the percentage of references present on existing authority records that are not needed in an automatic right hand truncation, keyword searching environment. (CLB)

Reports information gathered from eight vendors on the preparation of bibliographic data for CD-ROM public access catalogs: (1) sources of bibliographic records; (2) duplicate record handling; (3) holdings and location information; (4) maintaining the database; (5) authority control; (7) record corrections; (7) extraction of subsets; (8)…

Discusses the history of American and British experiences with library automation and contrasts them with recent developments in central and eastern Europe. Highlights include efficiency of internal operations, including cataloging data; access to internal and external library resources, including online catalogs and document delivery; and…

Describes a study conducted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln library that investigated the impact of automated display on catalog records by comparing the card and online versions of records created according to ISBD (International Standard Bibliographic Description) conventions. The development of a new cataloging code is recommended.…

Contains profiles of integrated online library systems (IOLS) software for special libraries, along with a chart that compares key features and functionalities for both circulation control and online catalogs. The software packages of 18 separate vendors are represented. Profiles were assembled from previously published information, including…

A meta-analytical literature review was performed on the literature in which computerized and paper based information retrieval systems were compared. Specifically, online catalogs were compared with card catalogs, and online bibliographic retrieval was compared with searching printed indexes. Studies which included information on relevance,…

Proposes a rationale to be used in comparing and evaluating alternative library computer catalogs, based on varieties of bibliographic data processed, kinds of indexes constructed, and desired search strategies. A glossary of terms related to computerized catalogs is appended. (Author/CLB)

Provides some basic guidelines for converting a card catalog to a computerized catalog in school libraries. The advantages of using the MARC format are discussed, and three conversion methods (on site, records created by the vendor off site, and full vendor conversion off site) are compared in terms of the work involved, costs, and time. (CLB)

Discusses three electronic information formats: CD-ROM, tape loads, and online hosts; reviews some of the hardware platforms used for accessing information in these formats; and discusses some of the issues involved in interconnecting computer systems to increase access to electronic collections. (Author)

Outlines evaluative criteria and compares optical data disk products used in library technical processes, including bibliographic records for cataloging, acquisition databases, and local public access catalogs. An extensive table provides information on specific products, including updates, interfaces, edit screens, installation help, manuals,…

This report describes a three-stage catalog use study conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Stout from 1982 through 1986 to determine the types of searches conducted and search success rates for both the card and online catalogs during the library's transition to the DataPhase Automated Library Information System (ALIS). Phase I, conducted…