Presents opinions on the rapid growth of online databases and advice for users gathered from nine experts in the information field. (MES)

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

Argues that librarians should work to make new cataloging rules, classification schemes, and other codes relating to bibliographic control more relevant and more in tune with reality. An agenda for this work is suggested. (LLS)

Briefly describes BALLOTS (Bibliographic Automation of Large Library Operations using a Time-sharing System). (PF)

Describes a workshop-seminar for librarians who perform on-line searches. Speakers included Jan Egeland of the Bibliographic Retrieval Services, Dale Kratsch of the System Development Corp., and Betty Davis of Lockheed Information Systems. (JPF)

Presents responses of five major bibliographic facilities--Library of Congress MARC program, Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN), Washington Library Network (WLN), and University of Toronto Library Automated System (UTLAS)--to a set of fictional situations involving computer crime and security. (EJS)

Briefly reviews the history of H. W. Wilson Company and describes the development of its automation program, BEACON, which has already been used to produce Cumulative Book Index. The automation of the remaining indexes and possibility of using the system for online information retrieval in the future are noted. (EJS)

Defines terms and acronyms used in discussions of online bibliographic utilities in order to help librarians and other users compare the four major networks. (FM)

Profiles four major bibliographic utilities: the Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN), the Ohio College Library Center (OCLC), the Washington Library Network (WLN), and the University of Toronto Library Automation Systems (UTLAS). (FM)

Contains three letters responding to Michael Gorman's column on bibliographic democracy and the major information networks ("Network! Or, I'm Rational as Hell and I'm Not Going to Take It Anymore,""American Libraries," January 1980). (FM)

Discusses rare books in library collections and problems that are encountered with theft and/or preservation. Highlights include the effects of online auctions on the Internet; costs of replacing lost materials; and libraries that keep valuable books in the circulating collection, stamping them and subjecting them to use that devalues them. (LRW)

This simplified description of the Ohio College Library Center (OCLC) includes an interview with OCLC director Fred Kilgour. (PF)

An evaluation of the Ohio College Library Center (OCLC) based on visits to the 47 OCLC charter members in Ohio. (PF)

Briefly describes the origin and development of some major online bibliographic utilities, including the Ohio College Library Center (OCLC), the Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN), the University of Toronto Library Automation Systems (UTLAS), and the Washington Library Network (WLN). (FM)

Presents a series of questions and answers pertaining to the relationship between the Ohio College Library Center (OCLC) and the Research Libraries Group (RLG) and touches on matters of policy and linkages. (FM)