----------------------------Original message---------------------------- This message has been posted to PACS-L, MAPS-L, and USMARC to encourage the widest possible discussion. Please forward to other lists whose members would be interested in the topic. And thanks! Ellen ********************************************************************* REVISITING CONDOC: A NEW LOOK AT THE ONLINE CATALOG SPONSORED BY THE ALA CATALOG USE COMMITTEE As vendors begin to offer client-server architecture and other improvements to online catalogs, it seems appropriate to take a look at what features were desired in second-generation systems. The ALA Catalog Use Committee believes the CONDOC RFP is a good place to start evaluating the progress of library system vendors since 1981. CONDOC (Consortium to Develop an Online Catalog) was a group of librarians from 125 medium- sized university and small college libraries, chaired by Kaye Gapen of the Iowa State University Library. At the 1981 ALA Midwinter conference CONDOC distributed a survey to its members. Respondents ranked 40 features of an online catalog. The results were incorporated (as appendix A) in CONDOC's "Request for Proposal for an Online Catalog." The Catalog Use Committee has posted the original CONDOC document at two sites. We invite comments from librarians, researchers, vendors, and other OPAC users. We would value your input as we work to develop CONDOC2 at the 1996 ALA Annual Conference in New York. Respond to Jon Cawthorne at [log in to unmask] You can retrieve CONDOC from the committee homepage at http://hsl-mac4.med.ohio-state.edu/Catalog_Use/research.html That "hsl" is for Health Sciences Library (not a numeral one and the address is case-sensitive). This file is about 40K and under 30 pages if you want to print it. (The source is messy so we do not advocate downloading it.) The homepage is available at least during Monday-Friday, 8:30 to 5:00 eastern time and maybe more if the roof is actually fixed. The file is also available via email from the AUTOCAT filelist. You may get the file by sending to: [log in to unmask] the email message: GET CONDOC REPORT If you have problems getting the file from the AUTOCAT filelist contact Douglas Winship ([log in to unmask]) Secondary AUTOCAT Listowner If you have problems with the report or the home page, contact Ellen Crosby at the address below. *************************************************************************** Ellen Crosby [log in to unmask] Indiana Historical Society Library 317/232-1879 voice 315 W. Ohio St. 317/233-3109 fax Indianapolis IN 46202 http://www.ihs1830.org