a comparison of oclc, wln, and rlin for public services:

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A Comparison of OCLC, WLN, andRLIN for Public Services:Donna L. Hirst a , Suzanne Thorpe b & Ruth PattersonFunabiki ca Assistant Librarian, Law Library, University of Iowa, IowaCity, IA, 52242b Public Services Librarian, Hennepin County Law Library,Minneapolis, MN, 55487c Associate Law Librarian for Technical Services, Law Library,University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, 83843Published online: 23 Oct 2008.

To cite this article: Donna L. Hirst , Suzanne Thorpe & Ruth Patterson Funabiki (1987) AComparison of OCLC, WLN, and RLIN for Public Services:, Legal Reference Services Quarterly,6:3-4, 141-158, DOI: 10.1300/J113v06n03_08

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A, Comparison of OCLC, WLN, i~nd RLIN for Public Services:

A 1985 Update Donna L. Hirst Suzanne Thorpe

Ruth Patterson Funabiki

ABSTRACT, Libraries have become dependent upon large bibliographic networks like OCLC, RLIN, and WLN to suppon their technical service functions. These databases have become increasingly imponant to public service librarians as well. A comparison of these systems is presented with an emphasis upon features of particular interest to public service librarians. The composition of the databases, indexing and searching are discussed. Special features each system offers to suppon public services are detailed. Costs and available documentation are also presented.

Libraries have increasingly become dependent upon large bibliographic networks like OCLC, RLIN, and WLN to suppon the technical service functions of cataloging and acquisition. As more and more inforrnation has been added to these systems and as access to libraries ha!; spread, these databases have become increasingly important to yublic service librarians as well. Each of the systems compared here provides interlibrary lending support and other services which assist in reference and research. A comparison of systems is not unique in the literature but an update of features offered through late 1985 is important in light of the rapidly increasing services available from the utilities.

Donna Hirst is Assistant Librarian. University or lowa Law Library, lowa City. I A 52242. Suaane Thurpe is Public Services Librarian. Hcnnepin County Law Library. Min- neapolis. MN 55487. Ruth Patterson Funabiki is Associate Law Librarian fur Technical Services. University of Idaho Law Library. Moscow. I D 83843.

Legal Reference Services Quancrly. Vol. 6(3/4). FalllWin~cr 1986 8 1987 by The Hawonh Press, Inc. All rights reserved. 141

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142 LEGAL REFERENCE SERVICES QUARTERLY

Creative librarians hsve found ingenious ways to utilize bibliographic databases for public services. However, the authors agree that the single major obstacle to widespread public service use is the absence of terminals in public service areas of libraries. Leaving the reference desk and library patrons to complete a search in a technical services department is inconvenient. Public access (search only) terminals provide an alternative to this problem as does dial access from existing equipment otherwise used for accessing DIALOG, BRS, and other databases.

Each of the three systems compared here offers unique features which are not routinely available in similar systems. The critical ele- ment of bibliographic data linked with the holdings of specified libraries, however, is available in all three systems, but cannot be replicated completely across systems since all libraries do not con- tribute their holdings to each of these systems.

These three systems in addition to UTLAS, various local or regional systems, and international and European databases offer a library access to most of the bibliographic information generally available. Efforts at the national and international level are pro- gressing toward linking these various systems and to some extent fa- cilitating a single terminal interface with the world of bibliographic data. As these efforts progress, librarians must be prepared to un- derstand the differences between the available databases to use them efficiently and accurately.

OCLC

OCLC, the Online Computer Library Center, started out in 1967 as a consortium of fifty-four Ohio college libraries. It has since evolved into a major international bibliographic utility serving more than six thousand libraries. These libraries range from small specialized libraries to large academic and research libraries in all fifty states, Mexico, England, Ireland, France, Finland, Denmark, Australia and the Netherlands. Over two hundred law libraries participate in OCLC.

Participating libraries in the United States are coordinated by twenty-four regional networks which are liaisons between OCLC's headquarters in Dublin, Ohio and the libraries. These networks dis- seminate information and handle training, billing, and equipment procurement.

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Composition of Databases

OCLC consists of a major database called the Online Union Catalog. This database includes more than 12 million records for books, serials, maps, music scores, microforms, manuscripts, and audiovisual materials. Each online record contains bibliographic information on materials held by OCLC member libraries, as well as information on materials held by the Library of Congress, National Library of Medicine, the Government Printing Office, and the British Library.

In addition to bibliographic information the Online Union Catalog indicates which libraries own the materials described in the online records. When viewing a record, users of OCLC can access holdings information with a simple DISPLAY HOLDINGS command which provides access to holdings information arranged by state or region.

Supporting the Online Union Catalog is the online Name-Author- ity File. This file contains over 1 million records for personal, corporate, conference, and geographic names in addition to authority records for uniform titles. Anyone using the Online Union Catalog can access the Name-Authority File by depressing the AUTHOR- ITY key prior to entering a search.

Libraries have a number of options to choose from when they participate in OCLC. Most do their cataloging using the Cataloging Subsystem, making use of existing bibliographic records in the Online Union Catalog or inputting their own original cataloging for materials not found there. They can also participate in any of three other subsystems which operate off of the Online Union Catalog.

The Interlibrary Loan Subsystem allows users to search the Online Union Catalog, locate desired materials in various libraries, and electronically generate requests for these materials. The Ac- quisitions Subsystem which integrates local order data with records in the Online Union Catalog is used to generate orders to vendors (some through direct transmission) and obtain fund accounting information. The Serials Control Subsystem allows users to create local online check-in records and claim missing issues automati- cally. It also provides the capability for creating an online union list which is accessible to all Serials Control and Interlibrary Loan Sub- system users. For each subsystem libraries opt to participate in, they receive authorizations and training from their respective networks.

Supporting these subsystems is the Name-Address Directory,

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which contains thousands of records for libraries, publishers, and vendors. Each record provides current name, address and commu- nication information as well as interlibrary loan policy information. The Name-Address Directory can be accessed by corporate names, standard address numbers, OCLC assigned record numbers, and OCLC assigned symbols for participating libraries.

Indexes and Searching

Online Union Catalog users can access records in a variety of ways. They may request one of the unique identifiers for each record: LC card number, ISBN or ISSN, CODEN, OCLC assigned control number, or government document classification number. Alternatively, they may request a personal author, a corporate author, a title or a combination of an author and a title. In the In- terlibrary Loan Subsystem, users may also search by lending or borrowing library and by patron name.

Unlike R U N or WLN, in which Boolean operators (AND, OR, BUT NOT) are used to string unrestricted search terms together, OCLC can only be searched using search keys derived from specified characters in authors' names and titles separated by prescribed punctuation. For example, instead of entering a personal author's complete name, only the first four characters of the surname are typed followed by a comma, then three characters of the author's first name followed by a comma, then the author's middle initial (e.g,, BROO,JAN,E for Jane E. Brooks). A similar search key exists for corporate authors. A title search uses the first three characters of the beginning title word followed by a comma, then the first two characters of the second word followed by a comma, then the first character of the fourth word (e.g., UNI,ST,CO,A for United States Code Annotated). Similarly, a personal authorltitle search would be input as the first four characters of the author's surname followed by a comma, then the first four characters of the first word of the title (e.g., SHAK,MIDS for Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream). Common words including prepositions and articles which appear frequently in the database are not used in searching. Lists of these stop-words are provided to OCLC participants.

Combining these search keys with the unique identifiers men- tioned above is not possible. However, searches may be qualified by date of publication andlor by type of publication (e.g., books,

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serials, microforms, etc.) which helps reduce the number of titles received from common search keys.

Special Uses For Public Services

Verifying bibliographic information is one of the most basic public service uses of OCLC. Frequently, patrons have incomplete or incorrect citations and would like to know if the library can provide further information. After quickly typing an author, title, or authorltitle search key, a user can find a fairly comprehensive listing of publications, including multiple editions and reprints, as well as unpublished works.

Since series titles are usually indexed, it is possible to find listings of titles in a known series by typing in the title search key for the series. Author searches are useful for compiling bibliographies of an author's works.

Likewise, because OCLC contains full catalog records users can quickly scan the contents notes of records for collective works to discern what is included in those works. Author and authorltitle searches will also locate works published in collections.

Because OCLC is constantly being updated, especially by Ac- quisitions Subsystem users who are creating records for newly published materials, bibliographic information is often available from OCLC before it is included in published bibliographies and serial directories.

The Name-Authority File is particularly helpful for verifying name changes or for finding history information, especially on corporate bodies. Online access to the research done by the Library of Congress or other libraries on exactly when, where and why an organizational change occurred provides an efficient reference resource. . . -

In addition to its usefulness in verifying bibliographic information, OCLC is a valuable tool for tracking down holdings information. A user may locate libraries holding a work within a particular state or region. By accessing the various online union lists, Inter- library Loan and Serial Subsystem users can obtain detailed copy and volume-specific information regarding serial holdings for individual libraries. Once materials are located, the holding library's interlibrary loan policy may be checked in the Name-Address Directory to find out if a loan would be allowed. A request can then

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I46 LEGAL REFERENCE SERVICES QUARTERLY

be sent electronically to the library using the Interlibrary Loan Sub- system.

Also available in the Name-Address Directory are telephone numbers, addresses, and staff of publishers, vendors, libraries and other organizations. Since OCLC users constantly update the information, changes are quickly located.

While exhaustive subject searches are technically not possible, title searching in the Online Catalog can sometimes bring up subject- related materials if common subject terms appear in the beginning of titles. Starting in the fall of 1985, OCLC will be loading approximately one million complete bibliographic records with imprint dates from the past four years into a Bibliographic Research Ser- vices (BRS) file called EASI Reference. Searching all BRS files will be possible using OCLC terminals through the Gateway Service. This service will allow users to use Boolean search strategy to access Library of Congress subject headings.

Since the Government Printing Office contributes cataloging data to OCLC, a quick method for tracking down a Superintendent of Documents number is to search OCLC. If only a SuDoc number is known, a full citation may be located.

costs

Currently, searches are free in every case except on public access terminals. The charge for public access searches is $. 1 I per search. There is a $.09 charge for each search for holdings information and each Interlibrary Loan request costs $1.10. Dial access users are charged $.I5 per minute of connect time.

Major changes are ahead starting January, 1986 when OCLC will start charging $.06 for every search, including searches done on public access terminals. However, at the same time, most libraries will also begin accruing four free searches for each online transaction (e.g., using catalog records, sending interlibrary loan requests, checking in serials, generating acquisition orders) they per- form. This "bank account" of free searches is anticipated to cover most search charges libraries might incur. To further defray search costs, libraries will receive a $SO credit for every original catalog record input and a $.20 credit for every interlibrary loan supplied. OCLC estimates that 76% of all OCLC libraries will experience a decrease in online charges.

Monthly bills produced by OCLC are broken down by each type

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of transaction (e.g., interlibrary loan, serials check-in, acquisition order, catalog record used). Search requests for holdings information are also itemized for each subsystem used.

In the future, OCLC plans to estimate monthly search charges in- , curred, based on prior system activity, and bill for this estimate.

Every six months differences between the estimate and actual usage , will be sealed and a new monthly estimate will be determined.

/ In addition to statistical information derived from invoices. Inter- library Loan users have the capability of obtaining a monthly statistical package providing reports of lender and borrower activity.

Documentation

OCLC provides its users with excellent documentation for each subsystem and type of equipment. The documentation is designed either for training new staff (e.g., self-instructional training manuals including exercises and reviews) or as detailed reference tools (user manuals) to consult for searching strategy and information on the structure of the subsystems. Libraries authorized for a particular subsystem receive at least two copies of the documentation for that subsystem free. Multiple copies can be ordered for a modest charge. The following documentation is particularly relevant to public services:

- OCLC Basics: An Introduction to Searching and Temtinal Use. -Searching the Online Union Catalog. -1nterlibmry Loan: Training Manual. -Interlibrary Loan: User Manual. - Name-Address Directory: Training Manual. - Name-Address Directory: User Manual.

Reference Guides which summarize commands, search keys, and system messages for each subsystem, file or directory are valuable tools when kept by terminals for quick reference.

WLN

WLN, recently renamed the Western Library Network, is an agency of the state of Washington, with a membership of 146 Full Participant libraries, 72 Recon-Only libraries, and 70 Search-Only

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libraries in the United States and Canada. In addition to the original database, the WLN software has been "replicated" to create databases in several other locations, including the University of Illinois, the British Library, the national libraries of Australia and New Zealand, and Singapore.

At present, ten law libraries have holdings listed in WLN. Nine of those libraries are actively using the network for processing, while the tenth has holdings listed as a result of participation in a statewide union catalog project. Several search-only law libraries participate in the network through the Cooperative Library Agency for Systems and Services (CLASS).


The WLN database consists of six separate but functionally inte- grated files containing bibliographic, authority, acquisitions, and holdings data, as well as various in-process files and directories.

At present, the bibliographic file contains approximately 3.5 n~illion unique bibliographic records for books, serials, films, music, and sound recordings, with over 8.5 million holdings records attached. The sources for database records are LC MARC tapes, Cooperative MARC (COMARC) data, Conversion of Serials Proj- ect (CONSER) data, Government Printing Office (GPO) mono- graph records, and cataloging records created by Participant libraries. Unique bibliographic records from the WLN replication sites are also loaded into the database. The WLN authority file, which is interactive with the bibliographic file, contains approximately 4 million records.


WLN bibliographic records may be located using title key words in any order, and by searching any of the access points connected to each record. The system allows truncation of terms that are used in searches. constructing searches that incorporate Boolean logic per- mits manipulation of data within fields and searching more than one field at k e same time. Keyword searching may aiso be used for locating a corporate or meeting name, whether the name appears in a main entry, added entry, series entry, or subject heading.

WLN authority records may be retrieved in several ways. Exact headings or subject subdivisions may be used as search terms. Trun-

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cation is an available option with all searches. Keyword searching is available for corporate name heading searches. Related headings may be retrieved using the EXPAND command to list all authority headings connected to a particular heading through "see" and "see also" references. WLN authority file records may also be searched alphabetically, using the BROWSE command to view twenty con- secutive headings at a time.

Special Uses For Public Services

The most common public service use of the database is a search for a single title, either to identify a particular item, o r to locate a copy of a particular title. Once a bibliographic record has been located in the database, the holdings of Participant libraries who have cataloged the title may be displayed.

In WLN, a holdings display lists the National Union Gitalog (NUC) symbols of the owning libraries, in alphabetical order, along with the call numbers that libraries have assigned to a title. Search- ing for the location of an item by state, or even by city, is very straightforward. If a translation of an unfamiliar NUC symbol is needed, the WHO command is used to list the full form of a library's name.

Access to call number information is a very useful feature, particularly when cooperative arrangements exist among libraries. When library patrons have borrowing privileges at more than one library, librarians using WLN are able to tell patrons that the book they want is available from a nearby library and, in addition, provide the exact call number. Of course, access to call number information speeds up interlibrary loan processing also. WLN libraries commonly provide call number information on interlibrary loan requests both for local, express shuttling and for requests to more remote locations. WLN participants have access to an electronic mail system called IMAIL, with an ILL format that many libraries are using for interlibrary loan transactions while awaiting a more sophisticated interlibrary loan system that is under development.

Detailed serial holdings data is available in WLN and is especially useful to law librarians. For periodicals and serials, libraries have the option of listing the actual volumes and dates of their holdings in addition to the call numbers. All of the law libraries in the network provide this detailed holdings information, which is greatly appre- ciated by researchers and interlibrary loan staff alike.

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A second kind of WLN database search that is used by public services librarians is a subject oriented search. WLN allows two different approaches, depending on how well defined a particular topic is in the LC subject headings list. If a good, commonly used subject heading exists for a given topic, the best approach is to search the online subject authority file to retrieve a list of titles which use the particular subject heading or group of related headings. If the topic being searched is not identified with a particular subject heading or group of headings, the best strategy employs searching title key words in the bibliographic file, applying truncations and Boolean combinations as needed. After a number of relevant titles have been identified, the HEADINGS command can be used to derive a list of all of the attached subject headings. That subject heading list can then be evaluated for use in a supplemental subject authority file search.

If a subject search yields a very large number of titles, the network offers two alternatives. The first alternative is a bibliography printing service in which bibliographies are printed off-line and then mailed to participants. A second option, for libraries with the new IBM-PC WLN terminal, is to download the data onto a diskette for local use.

Another public service available online in WLN is the Washing- ton legislative service. Whenever the Washington state legislature is in session, the state library maintains an updated list of selected bills, showing the current status of a bill, and the date of the most re- cent activity. This service is infrequently used in other states, but Washington law librarians find it useful. In at least one law library, this file is printed and then routed to library staff on a daily basis.

costs

WLN participant libraries incur a basic charge of eleven cents for each inquiry command-in other words, eleven cents each time the SEND key is pressed during a search. Those eleven cent charges are in addition to standard monthly telecommunications and mainte- nance charges.

Search-only users of the network may choose to be billed in one of several different ways. Dial-up users may be billed $20.00 per connect hour plus $.22 for each inquiry. Another arrangement uti- lizes TELENET access at a straight charge of $65.00 per connect hour. If a library chooses to receive separate billing for reference

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inquiries, a separate password and billing account is created for reference activity.

Documen fation

The WLN public services documentation includes one publication aimed at nonmember libraries and patrons, as well as librarians. The WLN Resource Directory is a microfiche union listing of the holdings of participant libraries. Subscriptions to the Directory include an annual cumulation accompanied by quarterly supplements.

In general, however, WLN documentation for public services use is the same as that used for technical services: To supplement the start-up search training at each new WLN site, there is a Self-in- struction Training Manual for searching, and the large and comprehensive WW Inquiry Reference Manual is also available. WLN also publishes two quarterly magazines that contain information about various network applications. The WWV Participant often features articles about advanced search strategies. The WLN PC Consultant provides practical, detailed information on how to use the WLN PC terminal to locate and download database records.

On the WLN screen each day is the m e w s , which contains technical bulletins, job advertisements, and announcements of various kinds, such as notices of times when particular libraries can't accept interlibrary loan requests. The WLNews is compiled, printed, and mailed weekly to participant libraries, so "catching-up" on the news is possible. WWV Technicul Bulletins are separated from the W e w s during the weekly compilation and published separately. The network publishes a cumulative Index ro the WLN Technical Bulletins, and also indexes WLNews items that are of lasting interest.

RLIN, the Research Libraries Information Network, is the corn- puterized information system supporting the programs of RLG, the Research Libraries Group. RLG is a tax exempt corporation owned by 33 full members and 34 special members. Twenty-four member law libraries participate in RLG. The four RLG programs supported by RLIN are (1) Shared Resources (or Public Service), (2) Collec- tion Development, (3) Preservation and (4) Technical Systems and

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Bibliographic Control. Currently 332 libraries use RLIN through CLASS. A total of 76 law libraries use RLIN.


The RLIN database is made up of over 19 million cataloging and acquisitions records. Sources of these records include Library of Congress MARC tapes, National Library of Medicine tapes, GPO tapes and CONSER tapes. Stanford University records, the Stan- ford Union lists of serials, records from other contributing libraries including the Serials Conversion Project of Berkeley and records loaded into the database from the tapes of other utilities are online. The Library of Congress MARC Authority file is also available.

The RLIN database is arranged in files by MARC format. The books file includes over 16.5 million records; over 1.5 million records are in the Serials file. Over 1,700,000 authority records are in the database. The remaining records include visual materials, maps, recordings, scores, machine readable data files and the AMC format for archives and manuscripts.

Each RLIN bibliographic record contributed or used by an RLIN library includes a detailed holdings record. These holdings records contain volume and copy specific information, local or variant call numbers, notes, status codes, and even bar code numbers.

Several special databases are available as part of RLIN. The Eighteenth Century Short Title Catalog file contains over 170,000 records for publications printed in English during the eighteenth century. The online Conspectus includes 6,000 records which analyze the subject strengths of the library collections of the various RLG member institutions. The Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals is available as part of RLIN.

The Interlibrary Loan Subsystem is considered a special database. It allows users to request loans online, forward requests if required, and respond electronically. It maintains ILL statistics which are distributed to users.


Fifty-five separate indexes support many very specialized uses of RLIN. Eighteen of these indexes are particularly useful for public service.

Both word and phrase indexes are available to retrieve personal

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Him!, Thorpe, and Funabiki 153

names, corporate names, and titles. The Subject Phrase index allows exact phrase access to subject headings. A subject subdivision index is available for all the files except the Books file.

Various numericai indexes are also useful.for public service. The ISBN and ISSN indexes allow access to records by publisher. In- dexes for SuDoc number and GPO catalog entry number are basic indexes for retrieving government documents. The report number index is also useful for retrieving documents. Both the local call number index and the more general classification index for retrieval of Library of Congress and Dewey classification numbers can provide additional subject access to titles. Use of the Geographic Class Code allows retrieval of information about specific geographic areas and this index is particularly helpful in searching the MAP file.

Twenty-six words have been excluded from the word indexes, primarily initial articles and prepositions in various languages. The exclusion words can be searched in all the phrase indexes.

RLIN is a command driven system. The basic search command is FIND followed by < index name > < value >. The logical operators AND; OR, and NOT, also called Boolean operators, can be used to join the searches of two or more indexes to either expand or limit a search.

Truncation is possible before, after, or in the middle of a search value to expand the search results or to search items when exact information is unknown.

The ALSO command refines a search request by the use of non- indexed fields included in the record. Currently only the value of "GEN" for generation can be used to limit searching to specify retrieval of microforms. Searches of the AMC file for Archives and Manuscript Control can also be limited by language, inputting in- stitution, and date. Expanding thc ALSO command to limit by language, date, etc. in other files is not currently planned.

A searcher can SELect FILes prior to searching and can SET DISplay. The MULtiple, PARtial and LONg displays are all frequently used for public service. The MUL lists multiple titles simul- taneously for browsing. PAR lists a brief bibliographic description with holdings. The LONg display includes a complete bibliographic description formatted like a catalog card. A FULl display with numeric MARC tags is available. The PRImary display is retrieved in all of the clustered files, the most important being Books. The PRI includes a brief description plus the library identifiers of all the contributing libraries which own or have ordered the title.

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Special Uses for Public Services

RLIN supports basic public service uses through verification of citations, preparation of bibliographies and a full ILL subsystem. For libraries using the cataloging system, RLIN functions in some ways like a local online catalog since all local monographic holdings are online. In response to a search request, the system always de- faults to display the searching library's record if available. The system cannot be restricted to retrieve only a specified library's records however.

The system is useful in assisting with ready reference. Informa- tion about authors, conferences, and acronyms is readily available in the authority file. A search of both the subject index and the subject subdivision index for "Pictorial Works" is an excellent way to identify an illustration of a specified topic. A similar Boolean search for either a topic in the subject index or a title keyword and a standard subdivision in the subdivision index can retrieve topical works of statistics, directories, dictionaries, bibliographies, etc. Since RLIN is a union catalog with copy level holdings included in records, retrieval of citations and subsequently the items themselves is straightforward.

The Shared Resources Program provides additional public service support for RLG owner members. The most important shared resource accomplishment of the Law Program Committee has been the development of formal ILL agreements including waiver of service charges and priority handling. On site access agreements and the development of a contact list for reference referrals has also been accomplished.

The system supports electronic mail between all the member libraries, the CLASS libraries and the RLINIRLG central staff. This mail system allows all RLIN users fast, free access to both libraries in general or specific individuals and is used to distribute questionnaires and information. A Law Users Bulletin Board is available through this system.

Costs

The RLIN system is available for search-only services or as part of the service provided for libraries contributing cataloging to the database. Search-only service costs $63.00 per connect hour with a 15 minute per month minimum charge. A search-only library pays

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$31.50 per connect hour to search the special databases like the ESTC file but there is no minimum charge. The stan up fee to become a search-only library is $198.00.

Additional communications charges are incurred and vary depending on usage up to $64.00 per month for a leased line with un- limited line by line searching. Use of TYMNET lines are also possible and billed at $15.50 per connect hour plus $4.20 per month per account.

For Shared Resource Program participants, reference searching is billed at the same rate as precatalog searching. Searching charges are based on the computer processing time required to complete a search. Searching costs $.232 per CPU second. The efficiency of searching affects these charges considerably. At the University of Iowa costs have varied from $3.38 per hour connect time up to $7.11 per hour connect time.

For libraries using the ILL subsystem, data transferred from the central database costs $1.70 per request. Newly created requests or requests derived from existing ILL records cost $1.29. Requests or messages forwarded from the first library to subsequent libraries cost $.7l.

Rather detailed usage statistics can be obtained from monthly invoices which can be tailored somewhat to individual library re- quirements. Accounts are established as needed by a user library, and separate accounts can be assigned to reference librarians or interlibrary loan librarians and thus both usage .and cost information can be obtained by individual user. Another approach might be to assign accounts by function and thus have one reference account, one ILL account, one facultylpatron account, etc. RLG members maintain their own account tables. CLASS users have their account tables maintained by the CLASS staff.

Statistics include units used by function (e.g. original cataloging, upgrading existing cataloging, ordering, interlibrary loan, public service searching by database, etc). The exact connect hour time and computer processing time used is also available for each account.

Documentation

RLG produces a detailed publications order form. Included on this list are many free brochures describing elements of RLIN like the ILL Subsystem, the ESTC catalog, and the Conspectus. If com-

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plete information is desired, the RLG Shared Resources Manual costs $17.00 and the RqN System Reference Manual costs $22.00. For libraries using the system the Operations Update, the Research Libraries Group News, and miscellaneous weekly mailings to RLIN Liaisons, Coordinators, and Associate Coordinators are timely and informative.

Searchable Databases 1. B ib l iograph ic Records

a . Records input from Yes yes Yes s u b s c r i p t i o n t a p e s (LC, NLR, GPO, e t c . )

b. Records input by Yes Yes yes p a r t i c i p a t i n g l i b r a r i e s

c . Records maintained or NO Yes yes e d i t e d l o c a l l y

d. To ta l b i b l . records 12 mi l l ion 3.5 mi l l ion 19 m i l l i o n 2. Holdings Information

a . Books Summary Deta i l ed Deta i l ed b. S e r i a l s Detai led Deta i l ed Summacy

3. Authori tv Records yes Yes yes 4 . Spec ia l ;atabases

a. Directory Records b. P e r l o d l c a l A r t i c l e s c . L e g i s l a t i v e Information

Law Library use rs

Po in t s of Access 1. ISBN 2 . ISSN 3. Coden 4 . System assigned number 5. Suooc c l a s s i f i c a t i o n no. 6 . Subject heading 7 . Pecsonal author 8 . Corporate author 9 . T i i - l e - . - - - - -

10. Local c l a s s i f i c a t i o n no. 11. L.C. c l a s s i f i c a t i o n nos.

Special Searching Fea tu res 1. Boolean Operators 2 . Truncat ion 3. L i m i t by Date

4 . L i x i t by Format

5. L i m i t by Language

6 . Keyword searching

Function6 Ava i lab le 1. Reference Support 2. I n t e r l i b r a r y Loan 3. E lec t ron ic Ra i l 4. Compiling Union L i s t s 5. Acquis i t ions Data 6. S e r i a l s Check-In 7. Subject Collection Analys i s

Yes NO NO

Ye6 yes Yes Yes Yes NO Yes Yes Yes No NO

NO NO Yes

Yes

NO

NO

Yes Yes NO Ye8 Yes Yes NO

Yes NO NO Arch i tec tu re

Wash. S t a t e No

Yes Ye6 Yes yes NO Yes Yes Yes NO Yes Yes Yes yes yes Yes Yes Yes Yes NO . Yes NO Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes No Manuscripts

only No Microforms

only tio Mar~uscriots

only Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes NO Yes Yes NO NO NO Yes

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H i m . Thotpe, and Funabiki

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY: GENERAL PUBLIC SERVICE USES

Baker. B. and Kluegel. K.. "Availability and use o f OCLC for reference in large academic libraries." RQ 21379-383 (Summer 1982).

Beasley. R. A.. "Another look at OCLC's potential for special libraries." Journal ofrhe American Sociery for Informorion Science, 3 1:300-301 (July 1980).

Bills. L. G. OCLCpublic access rerminols in small and mediun~-sized libraries. Springfield. IL : Illinois State Library. 1984.

Blond. R. W.. "Impact o f OCLC on reference services." Journal ofAcademic Librarian- ship 3:68-78 (May 1977).

Dailey. K. M . and others. "RLIN and OCLC side by side: Two comparison studies." In Advances in /;bra? udminisrrurion and orgunizarion. Greenwich. CT: JAI Press. 1982.. vol. I.

Farmer. S. C.. "RLIN as a reference tool." Online 6:14-22 tSeptember 1982). Friedman. E. S., "Patron access to online cataloging systems: OCLC in the public service

environment." Journal ofAcademic Librarianship 6:132-139 (July 19801. Gould. A. L. "Verifying a citation: reference use of OCLC and RLIN." Reference Ser-

vices Review 9 5 1-60 (October 198 1). Hamilton. K. S. "Washington Library Network's inlpact on reference." P N U Qunner1.v

4 5 9 1 1 (Winter 1981). Heinzkill. R. "Instructing students in the use of a public OCLC terminal." P N U Quanerl?

49: 14-16 (Summer 1985). Hildreth. C. R.. Research repon on online public uccess caluloys: 7hr user inrcgke. Dub-

lin. OH: OCLC Office o f Research. 1982. Jscohs. M . E. and others. Online resource shoring 11: A compurisrm nf OCLC. Incorpo-

rared. Research Libraries lnfurmurion Nenwrk. and Washin$on Libmr)' Neraork. San lose, CA: CLASS, 1979.

Jones. D. H.. "RLIN and OCLC as rekrcnce trmls," Journul o]' L ih iap .Auromarion 14:2 10.202 (September 1981 ).

Markey. K., "Offline and online user assistance for online catalog aearchurs." Online 854-66 (May 1984).

McDonald. D. R. and others. "The Reacarch Libraries Information Network as a public service tool at Stanford University Libraries," Reference Services Rew'ew 9:33-37 (Jan./ Mar. 1981).

McKee. E. C. and Perry. L. S.. "Reference and OCLC: A practical checklist o f questions for the terminal." RQ 23:339-349 (Spring 1984).

Miller, J. E.. "OCLC and RLIN as reference tools." Journal of Academic Lihrariunship 8:271 (November 1982).

Oiala. M. P.. "Usine BALLOTS 3s a refcrencc tool." Online 2: 11-19 (Octobcr 1978). - Addendum. Online 3:4 (January 1979).

Opla, M . P., "Using RL lN as a rrl'ercncc tool: BALLOTS revisited." Online 6:24-26 (September 1982).

"Online interlibrary services: An infornlal comparison o f livc systems IOCLC. RLIN. CLSI, Library Computer System, and UTLASI." RQ 21:7-14 (Fall 1981).

"Online patron access to bibliographic databases studies Iby OCLC & RLG]," h n , Librar). Journal 74505 (Spring 198 1 1.

Stratford. J. S . . I'OCLC and RLIN: The compariwns studicd," C r ~ l l e ~ r and Reseurch Libraries 45: 123-127 (March 1984).

"Subael o f OCLC database to be available on BRS for suhjcct searching." I~lf i ,n~~arion T~hnolog)r ~ n d Libraries J:275 (Summer 1985).

Uchitellc, D.. "RLIN in the eighwcnth ccntury: An introduction to thc ESTC special database," Dutabuse 7:30-33 (August 1984).

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I58 LEGAL REFERENCE SERVICES QUARTERLY

University of Oregon Librarics.."Comparison o f OCLC. RLGIRLIN. and WLN." Jonrt~ol ifLibra? Aurotnotiu~~ 14:215-230 (Septcnlber 1981).

"WLN cxvands QUICKFACTS scrvice with daily Icrihletiue uDdares." L i b r m ~ jnurttul . - 108:862 ( ~ a ~ - l . 1983).

"W1.N providing legislative reports." Wi la~r~ Librurj' Bullerir~ 57:552-553 (March 1983). Woods. R. D., "Reality and the dream for, WLN reference librarians," RQ 19:32-43 (Fall . .

1979).

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY: INTERLIBRARY LOAN

Brown. B. J. and Hume. L. P.. "lnlerlibrary loan and lhc Research Libreries Group." 1nrerlc.trdi11y and Docurnenr Suppl? 12:41-56 (April 1984).

"CRL cslnblishes tnterlihrary loan through RLIN," Wilson Libra? Bullcrin 58:331 (Jan- uary 1984).

De Gcnnaro. R.. "Computer network systcms: The impact of technology on cwperative inledending in the USA." h~terlrndit~g Rcvieu 939-43 (April 1981).

"Mullistale facsimile prniect launched by WLN in Scaulc." Librun. J o ~ r r ~ ~ a l 108:326-327 (February 1.5. 1983).-

Nahh. S.. "lnterhbrary loan: The RLIN subsyalem," Reference Smices Review. 11:73-76 (Spring 1973).

"New ~nterlibrerv loan subsystem introduced bv RLIN." L ih ran Jountol 107:2126 (No- vember 15. 1982).

"OCLC and interlibrary loan." Inrerlendi~~g and Dmwnent Supply, 12:26-27 (January 1984).

"0CI.C interlibrary loan advisory committee (ILLAC)," Inrcrle~rdit~a and Docurnenr S u p ~ 1 ) . I?: I I I - I I~ (JUIY 1984).

"OCLC nriuro enhancer strftwarc wins I L L perl~rmancc raws." Libra? jourtlol 109:309 (February 15. 1984).

"Online interlibrary scrsices: An informal cwipariwn of five systems [OCLC, RLIN. CLSI. Library Computer System. and UTLAS)." Rejerolce Quarrcrly 21:7-I4 (Fall 19811. ~~ -

Thompson, D.M., "OCLC-8 perbonal'network," RQ 24:327-32 (Spring 1985).

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