Use of ALS Browser terminals for OPAC searching at Bromley Public Library

Bromley Public Library has used ALS equipment to assist with circulation control since the late 1960s. In 1981 it was decided that the previous batch system should be replaced by the online ALS System 5 with circulation, cataloguing and acquisitions modules being implemented over a period of five years. This paper describes the OPAC aspects of this integrated system. The use of the Browser terminal, with its touch‐sensitive screen, for carrying out searches is described. Some of the problems facing a public library in creating a bibliographic database used initially for circulation control purposes and then for online catalogue searching are highlighted.