Chapter 6: Telnet (3 of 6) -- LIBRARY CATALOGS

     More than 200 libraries, from the Snohomish Public Library in
Washington State to the Library of Congress and the libraries of Harvard
University, are now available to you through telnet. You can use Hytelnet
to find their names, telnet addresses and use instructions.
     Why would you want to browse a library you can't physically get to?
Many libraries share books, so if yours doesn't have what you're looking
for, you can tell the librarian where he or she can get it.  Or if you
live in an area where the libraries are not yet online, you can use
telnet to do some basic bibliographic research before you head down to
the local branch.
     There are several different database programs in use by online
libraries.  Harvard's is one of the easier ones to use, so let's try it.

                Example search of Harvard catalogue 

     A particularly interesting system is the one run by the Colorado
Alliance of Research Libraries, which maintains databases for libraries
throughout Colorado, the West and even in Boston.

     telnet pac.carl.org.

     Follow the simple log-in instructions. When you get a menu, type 72
(even though that is not listed), which takes you to the Pikes Peak
Library District, which serves the city of Colorado Springs.
     Several years ago, its librarians realized they could use their
database program not just for books but for cataloging city records and
community information, as well.  Today, if you want to look up municipal
ordinances or city records, you only have to type in the word you're
looking for and you'll get back cites of the relevant laws or decisions.
     Carl will also connect you to the University of Hawaii library,
which, like the one in Colorado Springs, has more than just bibliographic
material online.  One of its features is an online Hawaiian almanac that
can tell you everything you ever wanted to know about Hawaiians,
including the number injured in boogie-board accidents each year (seven).