A concept of a catalog that is hospitable to mechanized descriptive cataloging is presented, together with four areas of research programs that will yield findings useful in the development of such a catalog. (Author/JB)

Nine experiments involving fourth-year British comprehensive school pupils revealed that (1) text headings aided information recall, search, and retrieval from texts; (2) the position of the heading (marginal or embedded) had no effect; and (3) the kind of heading (question or statement) had no differential effects on readers of different ability.…

This editorial addresses the issue of whether or not to provide free-text, keyword/boolean search capabilities in the information retrieval mechanisms of online public access catalogs and discusses online catalogs developed prior to 1980--keyword searching, phrase searching, and precoordination and postcoordination. (EJS)

This discussion of the major issues concerning online public access library catalogs highlights types of systems, user behavior, structure of systems and user-friendly information retrieval methods (menus, fuzzy matches, prompters), and additional search strategy features (limits, browsing, truncation). Three references are listed. (EJS)

Focuses on the development of citation analysis as a research method, critiques of citation analysis, applications (both as tools for librarians and tools to analyze research activity), and prospects for the future. One hundred references are provided. (EJS)

Issues having a possible impact on online search services in libraries are discussed including full text databases, front-end processors which translate user's input into the command language of an appropriate system, downloading to create personal files from commercial databases, and pricing. (EJS)

Mathematical concepts used in modern algebra are shown to be useful in modeling syndetic structure employed in information retrieval systems. The equivalence relation can represent "see also" components of traditional library catalogs; partial orderings and mappings assist in modeling syndetics in sophisticated systems such as thesauri.…

A survey of online searchers' perceptions of seven database vendors over 13 service-related characteristics resulted in DIALOG being ranked first for all attributes. A statistically significant relationship between overall preference and frequency of use was demonstrated, with reliability, variety, and flexibility the most highly ranked…

Considers a definition of online searching and discusses each of these factors--training, search aids, physical setting, search request form, interview and profile construction, terminal session, search evaluation, document delivery, professional reading, and online user groups. Eighteen sources are cited. (EJS)

Describes Electronic Legislative Search System (ELSS), a comprehensive service which tracks current state and federal legislation and provides careful monitoring of status of bills in its database. Contents of the database, search criteria and priority, format options, learning to search, and updating the system are noted. Sample searches are…

Indexes to literature published in English-language little magazines are analyzed for duplication and completeness of coverage, and the number of little magazines founded since 1900 is estimated to determine the extent of literary work accessible by means of indexes. A 50-item annotated list of information sources and 12 references are included.

Identifies the advantages and limitations of online search services offered by libraries, cautioning the searcher and user to consider and evaluate all options before performing online search. The librarian's responsibility to solve the user's information problem in a desirable way is discussed. Five references are listed. (EJS)

Comments based on actual reference use of Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN II)--formerly BALLOTS--in a library environment focus on RLIN files, interlibrary loan, search keys, and subject searches. This article updates a description of BALLOTS as it was developed by Stanford University to support cataloging and acquisitions (Online,…

Explores the effects of library use on both capacitance and laser-optical videodisc systems and outlines proper cleaning, servicing, and storage techniques. The article is excerpted from "Conservation in the Library," a book edited by Susan Swartzberg. (Author/JJD)

Offers overview of research in progress information systems which provide information on projects between inception and published reports, discussing demise of Smithsonian Science Information Exchange (SSIE), and efforts of National Technical Information Service to maintain SSIE files. A listing of 28 research in progress information systems and…