Author Description

This inventory provides profiles, tables, and listings of automated library activities at 115 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) institutions. The library profile covers 18 functions: (1) acquisitions; (2) serials check/claim; (3) serials/union list; (4) authority control; (5) cataloging/utility; (6) cataloging/local; (7) circulation; (8) reserve room; (9) COM (computer output microform) catalog; (10) online catalog; (11) database searching; (12) collection development; (13) interlibrary loan; (14) telefacsimile; (15) public computing; (16) administrative; (17) database conversion; and (18) reference. In addition to individual library profiles, selected information is formatted into listings and tables of counts, including the number of libraries reporting automation status according to function; the number of libraries reporting public access for circulation, database searching, and online catalog; number of libraries reporting extent of system for circulation, database searching, and online cataloging; number of libraries reporting shared or dedicated computers for acquisitions, circulation, and online catalog; 1985 and 1986 tables showing number and percentage of libraries reporting automation status; and 1985 and 1986 tables showing the number and percentage of libraries reporting integrated status. The complete database of automation information is maintained by the Office of Management Studies, ARL, and is available for searching throughout the year. (CGD)