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)

Discusses the benefits of mounting commercial and local databases to provide online access and describes the approach taken by the University of Pennsylvania. The issues discussed include database, local data file, and software selection; agreements with online vendors; cost effectiveness; and actual use of the online files at the university. (CLB)

Describes a study that electronically monitored 11 public access terminals at the University of Colorado libraries to produce transaction logs that were used to gather statistics and analyze users' behavior when searching online catalogs. Implications for search instruction and systems design are suggested. (Contains 13 references.) (LRW)

Describes a study of 81 community college libraries or learning centers to determine the extent that organizational structures had changed as a result of implementing automated library systems and to explore the changing relationship between libraries and computer centers. Finds minimal changes in structures among participants. (11 citations) (MAB)

Online public access catalogs from 67 libraries using NOTIS software were searched using Internet connections to determine the positional operators selected as the default keyword operator on each catalog. Results indicate the lack of a processing standard for keyword searches. Five tables provide information. (Author/AEF)

Describes goals, background, and steps of the RIDDLE project (Rapid Information Display and Dissemination in a Library Environment), a study of the use of scanning technology in libraries. Project results show that it is possible to extract bibliographic information from the contents page of journal articles and to include this information in…

Discussion of information filters focuses on the results of the first phase of a user study of a filter and describes the background, experience, and computer usage habits of the subjects before they began using the filter. Topics include e-mail; listservs; and information searching tools, including library online public access catalogs.…

Discussion of user persistence in displaying postings from an online catalog focuses on a study at the University of Illinois at Chicago that compared results of an earlier study of user persistence with a recent study of users and their online catalog, LUIS. Results of questionnaires and transaction log analysis are reported. (LRW)

Describes a project designed to provide bibliographic control and access through use of the Text Encoding Initiative (TEI) Header and MARC record to electronic texts coded with Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML). Steps in the cataloging process, efforts to refine the process, and the issues the process raises are discussed. (16…

Discusses online resources on ergonomics for librarians seeking to improve working environments or planning for staff and public work areas. A sidebar lists electronic addresses for 10 online sites for information including: World Wide Web sites, the Library of Congress gopher, archives on avoiding typing injuries, and electronic mailing lists.…

This overview of OhioLINK, a library automation project that links 17 academic libraries and the state library in Ohio, describes the planning, governance, mandates, and structure of the network. Implementation of OhioLINK at Miami University is discussed, including selection of a library automation system, representation on OhioLINK committees,…

Presents preliminary findings of a study that developed descriptions of the behaviors and underlying cognitive processes observed during information retrieval interactions. Data from talk-aloud protocols and postsearch interviews from users of online public access catalogs in academic libraries are examined. (20 references) (LRW)

Discusses bibliographic access to documents in nonroman scripts and the need for standards for the way different scripts are encoded for data processing. A microcomputer-based system that transliterates Cyrillic text to a romanized version and back to Cyrillic is proposed. (10 references) (MES)

Discussion of selection of the InfoTrac Expanded Academic Index database of journal citations to add to the online catalog at a university library considers access to full text on microfilm, coverage, differences between CD-ROM and tape versions, pricing, search capabilities, printing, and downloading. Comparisons are made with the UMI Data…

Presents preliminary data that characterizes the relationship between what users say they are trying to accomplish when using an online public access catalog (OPAC) and their perceptions of what input to give the system. Human-machine interaction is discussed, and appropriate methods for evaluating information retrieval systems are considered. (18…