This revision of Standards for College Libraries, which was prepared by Association of College and Research Libraries' Ad Hoc College Library Standards Committee, includes an introduction to standards; objectives; collections (print, audiovisual, resource sharing, determination of grade); organization of materials; staff; service; facilities;…

Application materials (catalogs, application forms, financial aid information, supplemental and decision-making information) from 64 library schools were analyzed to determine kinds of information they provide for prospective students. Fewer than half of schools contacted provided students with sufficient information (as defined by author) to make…

Traces introduction of automation in National Scientific and Technical Information Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, highlighting online applications in English and Arabic. Systems developed (bibliographic control, union lists, circulation control, indexes) and use of STAIRS storage and retrieval system for integrated databases are…

The National Library of Medicine's Current Information Transfer in English public access online catalog offers unique subject search capabilities--natural-language query input, automatic medical subject headings display, closest match search strategy, ranked document output, dynamic end user feedback for search refinement. References, description…

Describes online catalog and integrated library computer system designed to enhance Washington Library Network's software. Highlights include system components; implementation options; system features (integrated library functions, database design, system management facilities); support services (installation and training, software maintenance and…

Describes the operations of Winthrop College Library, Rock Hill, South Carolina, to illustrate the impact of the Southeastern Library Network (SOLINET) on southeastern libraries. The effect of automation on staff requirements of the technical and public services divisions is highlighted. (EJS)

Electronic journals are both a blessing and a curse for libraries. To be meaningful in the current information environment--to meet users' ever-increasing demands--libraries must acquire as many appropriate full text resources as possible, as quickly as possible, and make them easy to use. This Digest provides tips for acquiring and providing…

Machine-Readable Cataloging (MARC) is the dominant format for the bibliographic cataloging of all types of library materials. This source cross references "Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, 2nd ed., 1988 revision" (AACR2R), MARC tags/subfields, and interpretations for Library of Congress rules for each of the major media categories. This…

Discusses the user-oriented design, technology application, and innovative re-organization employed in the new facility of the Iowa City Public Library. Shelving of audiovisual materials, open access, cable television, the online catalog, and staffing considerations are noted. Nine references are cited. (EJS)

Results of work of Centre for Catalogue Research into usability of library catalogs with different levels of content of entries and users' needs for bibliographic data elements suggest that much information normally included in catalog entry is rarely used, and its inclusion makes catalog use difficult. Twelve references are provided. (EJS)

Research conducted at Fisher Library, University of Sydney, which measured user failure to locate known items in catalog or on shelves, yielded overall failure rate of 35.9 percent (26.2 percent at catalog; 46.1 percent at shelf). User errors caused two-thirds of failures at catalog and more than half at shelf. Fifteen references are provided.…

Considers the impact of Remote Electronic Access and Delivery of Information (READI) upon library services, discusses the uses of online public access information systems in a library setting, describes videotex systems currently in use, and outlines possibilities for the creation of local databases, automatic borrowing of books, and other…

Analyzes queueing statistics to determine their utility in predicting catalog usage and the relationships between card and serials catalogs and to pinpoint peak catalog usage. This measurement should provide one factor in a simulation model to accurately predict the number of catalog devices needed for alternative catalog formats. Eight references…

Discusses problems (poverty, lack of national publishers, use of libraries as study halls, low professional status of librarians) affecting high school libraries in Latin America and suggests ways to improve library services, focusing on reference service (opening reference stacks, improved cataloging, library skills instruction), technical…

Describes the comparative approach to system evaluation used in a project which administered an online retrieval test to an experimental online catalog to produce data for evaluating effectiveness of a new subject access design. Discusses efforts used to ensure data reliability, and strategies the researchers can use to improve on the data…