Use of the OCLC Acquisitions Subsystem in a Special Library via Dial Access

Abstract

Based on the experiences of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) library in employing dial access to the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) Acquisition Subsystem (ACQS), this paper presents an overview of dial access systems as an alternative to the use of OCLC dedicated terminals. Dial access into online systems is briefly described, the considerations that go into the automation of a library's acquisition system are reviewed, acquisition problems at NCSC are discussed, NCSC staff expectations of the OCLC ACQS system are described, the advantages of dial access to ACQS are detailed, and recommendations for the improvement of dial access use of ACQS are made. The positive effects of the use of ACQS at NCSC are also discussed, as are the overall responses of the NCSC staff to ACQS. (Author/JL)