The Use and Economics of Computer-Generated Microfiche Catalogs

Abstract

The D. H. Hill Library of North Carolina State University is currently producing three computer-generated catalogs on microfiche. They are: The Cooperating Raleigh Colleges History Union Catalog, consisting of about 16,000 titles in the Library of Congress "E" and "F" classifications held in the libraries of the six colleges and universities in Raleigh, N. C.; the NCSU Working Collections Catalog, consisting of about 11,000 volumes located in departmental working collections on the North Carolina State University campus; and the NCSU Serials Catalog. Experience with these catalogs has convinced us that they have a number of advantages over printed book catalogs. They are significantly cheaper to produce and particularly to update, and more convenient to use. They are quite acceptable to library users. There single disadvantage, the fact that they require a microfiche reader, is far outweighed by these advantages. This article will describe the NCSU Serials Catalog and, using it as a model, the production processes, use, and economics of microfiche catalogs and the responses of library staff and library users will be discussed.