Major Research Libraries

Each online catalog has its own protocols and peculiarities, but most also have extensive HELP files. Some are only intermittently available.

To DISCONNECT you can use < CONTROL> < ]> , and then type quit at the telnet> prompt.

Choosing a library to search is a matter of strengths of collections, ease of searching, and familiarity with online catalog conventions. A list of research libraries with automated telnet logins may be useful.

Among the most interesting and popular catalogs are the following:

Harvard University Library (HOLLIS) (at VE RI TAS type hollis)
A brief tutorial on the use of HOLLIS
More extensive instructions on the use of HOLLIS
Library of Congress Information System (LOCIS)
A brief tutorial on the use of LOCIS
Web-based LC search
Easy LOCIS search using DRA interface
Stanford University Library (SOCRATES) (at account enter socrates; at ok to proceed? enter Y; at TERMINAL? enter VT100)
A brief tutorial on the use of SOCRATES
Experimental forms-based SOCRATES query
University of California Libraries (MELVYL) (at terminal type enter VT100)
A brief tutorial on the use of MELVYL
Experimental forms-based MELVYL query via Stanford
Center for Research Libraries (CRL) (The CRL catalog works the same as W&L's Annie)