Describes a training program omitting undesirable characteristics of vendor-supplied training and utilizing charts to compare and contrast features of online systems. Included are charts illustrating ORBIT commands for DIALOG searchers, BRS commands for DIALOG searchers, and an ORBIT string search. (RBF)

Reviews problem areas identified in the processing of OCLC MARC Subscription Service tapes, commonly known as the archive tapes, and explains the Yale University methods for processing these tapes through their editing project and notation system. (CWM)

Describes an online design featuring circulation control, catalog access, and serial holdings that uses an incremental approach to system development. Utilizing a dedicated computer, this second of three releases pays particular attention to present and predicted computing capabilities as well as trends in library automation. (Author/RAA)

Describes a technique being developed for online instruction and assistance for bibliographic database searchers called Individualized Instruction for Data Access (IIDA). The objectives of the project are discussed, as well as the use modes and flow of control of the system, and seven references are included. (Author/BK)

By drawing an analogy to computer programming, it is apparent that end user training for online bibliographic search systems will increase, lead to vastly increased use of online search systems, increase the understanding of end users, and reduce the amount of time professionals spend on routine tasks. (CWM)

Describes training opportunities currently available including content of the training, fees, length of sessions and schedules, support equipment needed, provision of online time, and names of contact persons. (CWM)

Describes a series of studies conducted to determine how ERIC online searchers were using free and controlled vocabulary in their search statements and to understand relevance implications of the resultant differences. (SW)

Explores the effects on relevance concerns in traditional online search strategies caused by ranking retrieved documents. Two extreme examples are presented to illustrate the impact of ranking; advantages and limitations of ranking are discussed. (SW)

Over 53 percent of 159 NASA-Small Business Administration clients and industrial clients, surveyed for dollar costs and benefits of online computerized literature searches, identified dollar benefits. A direct ratio between benefits derived and client dollars invested, averaging 2.9 to 1, was demonstrated. Data tables are presented. (Author/JD)

Describes current efforts to expand the scope and availability of personal computer services, with special reference to the British Post Office PRESTEL experiment in England. Author argues that the library profession should support similar efforts in the United States and study ways personal computers can serve the library community. (Author)

Described is The Source, a telecomputing network that gives the user access to thousands of programs and data bases, and the ability to communicate electronically with other users interactively and through electronic mail. It also provides access to the United Press International (UPI) wire service through the use of key words. (KC)

Describes the DOBIS/LIBIS system and its capabilities for automated management of individual libraries and library networks. DOBIS/LIBIS is an integrated, interactive system that includes the major library functions of searching, cataloging, circulation, and acquisitions processing for a network of libraries. (Author/RAA)

Presents MARC database statistics for use in planning and processing files, selection of subsets, and estimating file growth rates. Statistics are provided on record length, field tag occurrence, data element length per field tag, and distribution of records by Dewey Decimal Division and Library of Congress class code. (Author/RAA)

Identifies technological issues of nationwide networking, including computer processing, data storage and communication, software, data entry, and standards. Emphasized in a forecast of networking trends in the 1980s is the need for coordination of a central managing organization with the autonomous local libraries. (SW)

A study of patron use of the University of Illinois online circulation system (LCS) found that 56 percent of original known item searches and 86 percent of location searches were successful, and that graduate students use the system very differently from the way undergraduates use it. (FM)