<p class="p1">An experiment was conducted to design a corporate author index to a large bibliographic file. The nature of corporate entries necessitates a different search key construction from that of personal names or <span class="s1">titles. </span>Derivation of a search key to <span class="s1">select </span>distinct corporate entry records <span class="s2">is </span>discussed<span class="s3">.</span></p>

No abstract

Two models of retrieval behavior of name/title‐derived search keys in a large on‐line library network system were studied. The results predicted by the two models were compared with results obtained from actual retrieval behavior of keys entered by users of the system. The findings of the study form the basis of recommendations to improve overall efficiency of the on‐line system for its users.

Many libraries use the OCLC Online Union Catalog and Shared Cataloging Subsystem to perform various library functions, such as acquisitions and cataloging of library materials. As an initial part of the operations,users must search and retrieve a bibliographic record for the desired item from the large OC LC database. Various types of derived search keys are available for retrieval. This study of actual search keysentered by users of the OCLC online system was conducted to determine the types of search keys users prefer for performing various library operations and to find out whether the preferred search keys are effective.