The purpose of this guide is to provide basic factual information about the Ohio College Library Center (OCLC), its data base, its operation, and its functions. It is intended for libraries which have not yet participated in OCLC, but would be useful as a reference guide in all libraries. Presented in question and answer form, the guide consists…

The error-correcting algorithm described was constructed to examine subject headings in online catalog records for common errors such as omission, addition, substitution, and transposition errors, and to make needed changes. Essentially, the algorithm searches the authority file for a record whose primary key exactly matches the test key. If an…

This descriptive guide provides introductory information geared to aid both the user and the information manager in the use of 3RIP, an online text database system consisting of three components: (1) a retrieval system used to locate and display records, (2) a file handler used to read records from files and to write records onto files, and (3) a…

Addressing the problem of protecting confidential information and data stored in computer databases from access by unauthorized parties, this paper details coding schemes which present such astronomical work factors to potential code breakers that security breaches are hopeless in any practical sense. Two procedures which can be used to encode for…

This paper describes the content, organization, specifications, and methods of use of the CAS77 and CAS7276 online files of worldwide chemical literature, databases produced by Chemical Abstracts Service and available from System Development Corporation (SDC). The scope of the databases, their unit record, their data elements, their modes of…

This review of the world of telecommunications and its effect on special libraries includes discussions on the use of satellites to facilitate document teledistribution, online bibliographic searches, remote access to databases, and teletex systems. It is contended that the growing network of domestic satellites and the decreasing cost of services…

Intended to serve as an introduction to online searching in the Chicago area, the guide answers these basic questions for those considering going online for the first time: what is online searching, starting out online, local training for online searching, how to choose a terminal, 1200 baud equipment selection, how to prepare for and evaluate a…

This general user guide to the Educational Information System for Ontario (EISO) deals with the simple logistics of acquiring material from the system. Since EISO was developed as a way for Ontario citizens to use the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) data base in the United States, a preliminary description of ERIC is provided.…

The ERIC Data Access System (EDAS) is an information retrieval system developed at Eastern Illinois University to access the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) database and make it available to Eastern faculty and students in a convenient and timely fashion. This paper describes briefly why and how Eastern developed and implemented…

Periodicals, indexes, and abstracts important to the interdisciplinary fields of gerontology and geriatrics which are currently available at the Wichita State University are discussed. The section on periodicals includes a discussion of why they are useful as an information source, along with a short description of the scope of 18 journals. The…

Computer based information search services, ISS's, of the type that provide on-line literature searches are analyzed from a system's viewpoint using a continuous simulation model. The analysis shows that the observed growth and stagnation of a typical ISS can be explained as a natural consequence of market responses to the service together with a…

TRIAL (Technique for Retrieving Information from Abstracts of Literature) is an information storage and retrieval system which can be used by school media specialists to produce indexes of non-print materials. This manual provides a step by step approach for media specialists to automate their non-print holdings. These procedures can also be…

Until very recently there was little computer access to comprehensive bibliographic data bases in the social sciences. Now online searching of several directly relevant files is made possible through services such as the Lockheed DIALOG system. These data bases are briefly surveyed, with emphasis on content, structure, and strategy appropriate for…

What is the desirability and usefulness of different thesaurus displays used either singly or in groups? Is an alphabetical listing of terms with cross references more useful to an indexer than a complete hierarchical display? Is the permuted or the rotated term index more useful to the indexer or retriever? Is an alphabetical display along with a…

Major achievements of the New England Library Information Network (NELINET) during the fiscal year ending July 30, 1973 included the following: a formal agreement for cooperative library network development was signed between the Ohio College Library Center (OCLC) and the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) effective July 1, 1972;…