In their own words: An examination of catalogue users’ subject queries

Abstract. As part of a recent research project a large set of catalogue users ’ subject queries was collected hy interview The libraries and the data collection procedures are briefly described. The query set obtained has been divided into several general categories which illustrate the range of types of subject search being performed. Each category of query is discussed, with a consideration of the problems which face the user in carrying out each type of search Possible solutions to some of these problems are considered The most important issue is the variation in specificity of the queries, whilst other issues relate to the users ’ expression of need. access to spe-cific types of materials, interdisciplinary subjects, and map-propriate queries. These issues are summarised and the impli-cations for OPAC design are discussed. 1