ACCESS AND RECOGNITION: FROM USERS' DATA TO CATALOGUE ENTRIES

Patterns of searching in library catalogues were analysed, using the data from a large survey of the use of three university library and one public library catalogues. ‘Known‐item’ searches were the object of the study. Success or failure of the search was correlated to degree of correctness and completeness of the searcher's information about title and author of the item that he wished to locate. Factors involved in searching strategies were discussed. The double role played by both the title and the author as a way of access to the catalogue and as a means for identifying the right entry was examined.