Discusses expectations that weaknesses within the system of Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) will be bypassed by other subject access routes available on online catalogs, and compares the performance of LCSH to title field subject access. Observed patterns of LCSH functions are discussed and conclusions about search strategy are…

This study of the online catalog at a large academic library focuses on the nature of problems for which users seek librarians' assistance. Characteristics of users, types of searches, kinds of problems, the effect of prior experience with the system, and user suggestions for improving the system are examined. (10 references) (Author/MES)

Discussion of human engineering factors of using online catalogs offers guidelines for selection and placement of terminals and furniture. (eight references) (MES)

Reviews the history of the network that supports the MELVYL online union catalog, describes current technological and policy issues, and discusses the role the network plays in integrating local automation, the union catalog, access to resource databases, and other initiatives. Sidebars by Mark Needleman discuss the TCP/IP protocol suite, internet…

Describes the background of OCLC's international interests and briefly surveys the collaborative activities being undertaken in Europe, the Far East, and Canada. Both the benefits to all involved parties and problems that must be resolved are discussed. (two references) (Author/CLB)

Argues that reference librarians serve as consultants at the point of interaction as they educate patrons in the use of the online catalog and demonstrate their role in finding and providing information. Specific areas of consultation are discussed as is the relationship of formal instruction to point of use instruction. (10 references) (MES)

Discusses online library catalogs that are accessible via the Internet and describes their use to create bibliographies using EndNote software. Three catalogs are described that need no further editing; two are described that need some editing; examples of records are given; and the systems are compared. (LRW)

Describes a statistical study of three databases, conducted at Iowa State University, on holding links between citation databases and the online catalog. Provides insights into the construction and quality control of citation databases and online catalogs, and identifies a new issue of continued maintenance of ISBNs and ISSNs for catalogers.…

Describes a project at the University of Kent to build a thesaurus based on existing subject terms for a collection of cartoon drawings and then to convert the existing cataloging system to new thesaurus terms for an online catalog. A graphical thesaurus editor is described, and future work is discussed. (Author/LRW)

Describes an inductive, qualitative study of 30 Syracuse University students that investigated the situated nature of action during interactions with an online public access catalog. Highlights include elements of situatedness, with examples; the mapping of individual searches; and users' goals and stopping behavior. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the needs of remote users of online public access catalogs (OPACs). User expectations are discussed; problems encountered by remote-access users are examined, including technical problems and searching problems; support services are described, including instruction, print guides, and online help; and differences from the needs of…

Discussion of improving subject access in online library catalogs focuses on a study that used a book description from "Book Review Digest" to evaluate the information on the bibliographic record found on the OCLC database. Matching by Library of Congress Subject Headings and by keywords in the title are discussed. (22 references) (LRW)

Review of the 1991 literature on descriptive cataloging discusses objectives and foundations of cataloging; cataloging simplification; three levels of standards for record content; cataloging techniques, including authority work, provision of main entry, transliteration, formation of name headings, and automation; procedures related to record…

Discusses basic principles of human-computer interface design that will be helpful to librarians involved in designing effective OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) screens. Highlights include physical features; general principles; menu screens; commands; inquiry screens; messages, including help screens; and organizational considerations,…

Discusses the traditional alphabetical arrangement of library card catalogs and suggests this order should be reconsidered in online catalogs. Online searching in library catalogs is described; the ordering of records in online catalogs is examined; and filtering is considered as a method to order retrieved sets of bibliographic records. (Contains…