Two Types of Designs for On-Line Circulation Systems

Abstract

On-line circulation systems divide into two types. One type contains records only for charged or otherwise absent items. The other contains a file of records for all titles or volumes in the library collection, regardless of their circulation status. This paper traces differences between the two types, examining different kinds of files and terminals, transaction evidence, the quality of bibliographic data, querying, and the possibility of functions outside circulation. Aspects of both operational and potential systems are considered.