Eight authors discuss five questions related to user searching of online catalogs: What user needs can be met by online assistance? Should assistance be tailored to particular groups? Should there be more than one level of assistance? Do users learn through computer-assisted instruction? and Will increased system friendliness eliminate the need…

Discusses the need to reassess the objectives of online public access catalogs and how those objectives might be met before costly investments are made in electronic versions of "other data" for online catalogs. Several objectives are outlined and their feasibility in the modern telecommunications environment is examined. (two references) (CLB)

Describes the development of Bookshelf, a multi-user microcomputer system for small libraries that uses an integrated software package. The discussion covers the design parameters of the package, which were based on a survey of seven small libraries, and some characteristics of the software. (three notes with references) (CLB)

Describes the planning, development, implementation and impact of online information systems at three academic libraries. Some of the issues discussed include the campus computing environments, factors affecting the selection of databases and search systems, the impact of the system on library staff and users, and future considerations. (CLB)

This sixth article in a series discusses planning for the installation and implementation of automated systems in the library, workstation design and location, scheduling of software implementation, security, data input, staff and reader training, job design, impact of automation on library procedures, evaluation of system performance, and future…

Describes the evolution of the library control system at the Ohio State University library from a circulation control system to a full online catalog with subject access and authority control. The needs of users which prompted the development and possible future enhancements are discussed. (CLB)

Intended to describe an ideal system for William Madison Randall Library at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, this outline presents specific system requirements that would build on and enhance features available on the current system while moving toward a truly integrated system with built-in possibilities for expansion and improvements…

Results of this survey of 26 public and academic libraries of national stature show that the country's major libraries are fully committed to automating their library operations. Major findings of the survey show that: (1) all libraries surveyed are involved in automation; (2) all libraries surveyed have automated their catalogs and bibliographic…

Each of three articles describes an academic library's online catalog that includes locally created databases. Topics covered include database and software selection; systems design and development; database producer negotiations; problems encountered during implementation; database loading; training and documentation; and future plans. (CLB)

This report examines and evaluates the application of prototyping methodology in the design of a microcomputer-based online library catalog. The methodology for carrying out the research involves a five-part examination of the problem on both the theoretical and applied levels, each of which is discussed in a separate section as follows: (1) a…

The Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC), an organization charged with providing information services to the Department of Defense (DoD) scientific and technical community, actively seeks ways to promote resource sharing as a means for speeding access to information while reducing the costs of information processing throughout the technical…

As part of its mission to provide centralized services for the acquisition, storage, retrieval, and dissemination of scientific and technical information (STI) to support Department of Defense (DoD) research, development, and engineering studies programs, the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) sponsors the Shared Bibliographic Input…

The six articles comprising this special section on MELVYL, the University of California automated library system, discuss plans for the future, general recommendations for online catalog design, evaluation methods, evolution of computing resources, impact on the work of librarians, and academic goals and benefits. A chronology of MELVYL…

Based on telephone interviews with 12 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries, this report presents the underlying reasons for the libraries' decisions relating to the design and implementation of automated library systems. The survey results are summarized, a list of respondents is provided, and profiles of present and planned…

The papers in this proceedings consider ways in which user friendly interface design may be used to make online systems in public and academic libraries easier to use, and thus more attractive to potential users. A short introduction by F. W. Lancaster is followed by nine papers: (1) "Linking the Unlinkable" (Michael Gorman); (2)…