Compares features of user interfaces for CD-ROM public access catalogs by six vendors: (1) Auto-Graphics; (2) Brodart; (3) General Research Corp.; (4) Library Corporation; (5) Library Systems and Services, Inc.; and (5) Marcive. Brief evaluations of the products are included, and detailed descriptions of each are appended. (MES)

Reviews trends in library software development including: (1) microcomputer applications; (2) CD-ROM; (3) desktop publishing; (4) public access microcomputers; (5) artificial intelligence; (6) mainframes and minicomputers; and (7) automated catalogs. (MES)

Keyword and text string searches of online library catalogs often provide different results according to library and database used and depending upon how books and journals are indexed. For this reason, online databases such as ERIC often provide tutorials and recommendations for searching their site, such as how to use Boolean search strategies.…

Applies a prefix trie index, or trie hashing, to the problem of providing fast search times, fast load times, and fast update properties in a bibliographic or full-text retrieval system with inverted files. Statistics are given for a test database consisting of an online catalog at the University of Western Ontario. (Author/LRW)

Examines strengths and weaknesses of organizational systems developed to organize and access electronic resources available via the Internet. Highlights include library online catalogs; cataloging rules and MARC records; text encoding initiative (TEI) headers; the Internet union catalog; browsing lists; robot-generated indexes; a core data set of…

Describes a major digital imaging project just completed at the Ewell Sale Steward Library of the Academy of Natural Sciences (Philadelphia, PA). Discusses options that were considered for Web delivery of images and text, and reasons for choosing Innovative Interfaces, Inc.'s image management function. Describes the data entry process and reviews…

Discusses the results of responses from 63 academic libraries about the choice and content of their default home Web pages. Shows that some branch libraries display a main library Web page as the default home page for their public computers, while others display a branch library page. (Author/LRW)

Offers suggestions for librarians with minimal knowledge of library system applications faced with the task of writing technical specifications for various phases of online catalog procurement and implementation. The discussion covers the preparation of technical specifications and the formulation of requirements to be included in a library's…

Provides background on the holdings, services, and layout of the mediatheque (multimedia library) at the Cite des Sciences et de l'Industrie (originally the Museum of Science, Technology, and Industry) in Paris. The library's online public access catalog and use of the catalog by children and the visually handicapped are described. (four…

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)

Describes a project at the Princeton University libraries that converted the pre-1981 public card catalog, using digital imaging and optical character recognition technology, to fully tagged and indexed records of text in MARC format that are available on an online database and will be added to the online catalog. (LRW)

Provides an overview of the INTERNET and INTERNET services of interest to libraries, including electronic mail, bulletin boards, electronic publishing, online public access catalogs and databases, and downloaded texts and software. (16 references) (MES)

Presents the reflections of a designer of visual interfaces for online public access catalogs regarding the importance of a historical perspective for design practices. Topics discussed include cognitive psychology research; conventions for organizing information; and the ongoing process of changes in media. (LRW)

Outlines a process for downloading MARC format bibliographic data into a form readable for an Apple Macintosh computer running HyperCard software. Loading procedures for two data sources--an OCLC format tape and records from UCLA's ORION public access catalog--are discussed, and the use of a minicomputer system is considered. (eight references)…

Describes a staff training program for the use of the online catalog at Southern Illinois University. Planning the training program is discussed; objectives are explained; training methods and materials are described; and results of an evaluation of the training program are reported. (seven references) (LRW)