Further analysis of the CLR online catalog project

The Council on Library Resources (CLR) funded an investigation into the issues surrounding public access online catalogs. The Online Catalog Public Access Project, through the use of an online catalog conceptual model, identified the characteristics of uses, tasks, the library setting, and the system interface that affect user satisfaction. The study included a survey of users and nonusers of online services in 31 libraries in the US. The 4 principal findings were: 1. The user characteristics most associated with success and satisfaction are those that relate to experience with the library and its catalogs. 2. Interfaces should be developed that differentiate by kind of search being performed as well as by level of user experience. 3. User attitudes adapt to the capabilities and limitations of the online catalog they use. 4. Those who receive some training and assistance in using online services are more satisfied and successful than those who do not.