Briefly describes and discusses some of the emerging interactive, computerized information systems designed for the population at large. Developments mentioned include precoordination of indexes and videotex systems. (Author/JD)

The history of OCLC is summarized from its beginnings to the present, in terms of its organization, operation, and expansion. (MBR)

Reviews the origins of post-coordinate searching and emphasizes that the focal point should be on the searcher, not on the item being indexed. Highlights include the history of the term information retrieval; edge notched punch cards; the "peek-a-boo" system; the Uniterm system; and using computers to search for information. (LRW)

Reviews the evolution of libraries from their 19th century foundations in bibliography into institutions providing information per se. A major advance in direct information provision, the Electronic Information Delivery Online System (EIDOS), which is under development by OCLC, is described and future prospects for librarianship are suggested. (10…

This investigation shows that search keys derived from personal author names possess a sufficient degree of distinctness to be employed in an efficient computerized interactive index to a file of MARC II catalog records having 167,745 personal author entries. (8 references) (Author)

This paper describes the first two months of operation of the OCLC interlibrary loan system, an online system designed to increase speed and effectiveness in obtaining interlibrary loans. This system provides (1) bibliographic verification of interlibrary loan records and location of materials by using online union catalog records, (2) automatic…

Survey findings indicate that inclusion, even partial inclusion, of holdings of academic libraries in an online union catalog significantly accelerates interlibrary lending by those libraries; e.g., six years after initial participation in OCLC, 37 Ohio libraries were lending 75 percent more material. (Author/JVP)

Considers electronic interlinkage between two library networks in regard to functions of online shared cataloging and online interlibrary lending based on computerized union catalog. Problem areas are discussed: political climate, professional attitude, incompatibility of organizations, management and staff differences, financial stability,…

Examines the possibility of constructing an online international union catalog from machine readable entries originating in different countries and discusses use of MARC-compatible records as records that can be converted to MARC algorithmically. Sources of cataloging records, problems generated by merging, and resolution of problems are…

A review of library technological development and card catalog innovations of the past century and a half precedes a discussion of online public access catalog development. Design requirements and purpose of the online catalog, access techniques and provisions, costs, and future integration are highlighted. Twenty-two references are listed. (EJS)

Development and implementation of an off-line catalog card production system and an on-line shared cataloging system are described. An account is given of system design and equipment selection for the on-line system. File organization and programs are described, and the on-line cataloging system is discussed. (16 references) (Author/SJ)

Examines impact of public policies on national and international computerized information networks and reviews characteristics of modern European governments as contrasted with United States government public policies related to national networks in United States and other countries, international networks, and intent and effect of public…