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NOTIS and DOBIS are both designed to be technically and functionally integrated. The online catalog is the heart of each system, and all functions interact with a single set of bibliographic files. Both systems are mutually dedicated to the use of similar equipment and standard IBM software products. Apart from these similarities, however, the two systems vary fundamentally in design, each reflecting its distinctive origins. NOTIS was developed in the United States at a time when MARC tape distribution service was already well established. DOBIS was developed in Europe, where machine‐readable bibliographic resource sharing had not yet been established. The design objectives of the two systems emerged logically from these environments.

The DOBIS/LIBIS OPAC has been in active use at a number of installations for several years. Before describing the OPAC, this paper briefly describes the development and design of DOBIS/LIBIS as a whole. After sketches of several libraries using the OPAC, its menu‐guided and full‐screen search capabilities are described. Other OPAC facilities, such as the self‐service display of a borrower record, the sending of electronic mail to the library staff, and the multilingual capability of the system, are also covered.

This paper discusses some of the characteristics of online cataloging systems. Two basic types of interaction with a cataloging system are distinguished:

VINE is produced at least four times a year with the object of providing up‐to‐date news of work being done in the automation of library housekeeping processes, principally in the UK. It is edited and substantially written by the Information Officer for Library Automation based in Southampton University Library and supported by a grant from the British Library Research and Development Dept. Copyright for VINE articles rests with the British Library Board, but opinions expressed in VINE do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the British Library. The subscription for 1982 for VINE is £20 for UK subscribers and £23 for overseas subscribers — the subscription year runs from January to December. The 1983 subscription will be £22 for UK and £25 for overseas — VINE is available in either paper copy or microfiche and all back issues are available on microfiche.