KNOW-ITEM SEARCH FAILURE IN AN OPAC

This study attempts to identify specific reasons for the failure of library patrons to locate known items in an online catalog. Interlibrary loan request forms submitted by library patrons for items already owned by the University Libraries were analyzed to identify specific reasons for search failure. Suggestions are made for ways to correct search failure, and the reasons why a certain percentage of search-failure errors.cannot be avoided are discussed. The study, while specific to the University Libraries at the University at Albany, State University of New York, suggests a broader application to known-item search behavior in online public access catalogs in general.