Intellectual Access to Patron-Use Software

Abstract

SINCE1960, LIBRARIES EXPANDED from nonexistent collections of computer-based materials for patron use to having rapidly proliferating software and/or data file collections. Development patterns of patron-use software collections and the kinds of materials they may contain are identified. Bibliographic control issues for patron-use computer-based materials are explored, including the level of control required or desired, and differing forms of access. Responses to these issues by the library community are described, including development of standard tools for descriptive cataloging, indexing, and classification, and the application of standard bibliographic systems to two varieties of collections-remote and local access materials. Trends indicating future issues are outlined, and the author suggests that the best strategies are those that address control and access problems for the long term, although they may be more costly and difficult to implement in the short term.