OCLC Search Key Usage Patterns in a Large Research Library

Abstract

Many libraries use the OCLC Online Union Catalog and Shared Cataloging Subsystem to perform various library functions, such as acquisitions and cataloging of library materials. As an initial part of the operations,users must search and retrieve a bibliographic record for the desired item from the large OC LC database. Various types of derived search keys are available for retrieval. This study of actual search keysentered by users of the OCLC online system was conducted to determine the types of search keys users prefer for performing various library operations and to find out whether the preferred search keys are effective.