ABOUT LOCIS

LOCIS (Library of Congress Information System) is the Library's original retrieval system that runs on a mainframe computer. LOCIS provides access to all of the catalog files that are created and maintained by the Library and provides access to a variety of other files. LOCIS also provides the widest variety of search features. LOCIS is a command-driven system requiring a user to type in commands for searching and displaying search results.

FILES AVAILABLE ON LOCIS

CATALOG FILES

Several files contain records for materials cataloged and held by the Library of Congress. In addition, there are some records for materials cataloged and held by other research institutions or agencies. Together, the materials include a variety of formats. The Library catalogs materials in over 400 languages. The materials are:

books
microforms
serials (journals, periodicals, etc.)
cartographic items (maps, globes, etc.)
music (sheet music, recordings)
visual materials (films, filmstrips, posters, prints, photographs, etc.)
computer files (microcomputer software and data, including CD-ROMs)
manuscripts
thesauri of names and subject terms used on catalog records
items in the process of being cataloged
catalog records reported from some other research libraries
catalogs of some of LC's reading room collections
records/citations for some bibliographies; e.g., the Handbook of Latin American Studies

NON-CATALOG FILES

FEDERAL LEGISLATION: Several files contain summaries, abstracts, chronologies, and detailed status information for legislation (bills and resolutions) introduced in the U.S. Congress since 1973. Information for the current Congress is up-to-date within 48 hours.
COPYRIGHT: Two files contain records for a materials registered for copyright since January 1978. These materials include books, films, music, maps, sound recordings, software, multimedia kits, drawings, posters, sculpture, serials, etc. A third file has references to documents that describe copyright legal transactions, such as name changes and transfers.
BRAILLE AND AUDIO: Two files contain records for materials designed for persons unable to read print. The materials include Braille, recordings (cassette and flexible disk), and some large-print items. The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped coordinates the programs for creating these files, designing the materials, and distributing them to eligible readers through regional and state centers.
GUIDES & ORGANIZATIONS: One file contains bibliographies for doing basic research in science and technology. These bibliographies identify subject headings, abstracting and indexing services, suggested journals, and organizations to contact for additional information. The other file contains records describing over 13,000 organizations that have been doing research and have been willing to answer questions and provide information to anyone. Subjects covered are primarily in science, technology, and social science.
FOREIGN LAW: Two files contain records that abstract and cite foreign laws and regulations as well as journal articles on legal topics. Currently, most countries represented are Hispanic-speaking, though a few are French and English. More countries and languages will be included eventually.

LOCIS SEARCH FEATURES

LOCIS provides access to an alphabetical index for browsing and to key word searching. Browsing is available on all the non-catalog files and some of the catalog files (books, microforms, serials, cartographic materials, the PreMARC file with early materials, and the file of subject cross references). Key word searching is available for all the catalog files and for the files of federal legislation.

With LOCIS, search results may be stored in sets for further manipulation, including a host of options for limiting search results based on various features (such as types of illustrations, date legislation is introduced).

All files have extensive help screens.

CONNECTING TO LOCIS

LOCIS is available over the Internet through the TELNET functions (telnet and tn3270) of the Internet's set of protocols known as TCP/IP. At this time this is the only way to connect to LOCIS, which was developed many years ago for a mainframe computer environment.

Since LOCIS was developed as an IBM mainframe system, it is best to connect to LOCIS with the tn3270 method.

Please note that most library online catalogs available over the Internet also were initially available only through this Internet method. In recent years library catalogs have been experimenting with other access methods, such as using WWW fill-in forms, and the Library of Congress has been experimenting with these as well.

The telnet and tn3270 software typically come with the products that enable your workstation to connect the Internet; or, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) provides this function for you. Even though you may have this software, it is important that it be configured properly on your workstation.

In many instances, WWW and Gopher sites include links to online library catalogs. However, for these links to be successful, the WWW browser software and the Gopher software also must be able to find and invoke the telnet or tn3270 capabilities. In cases where an "error" message states that an application cannot be found, this usually means that the telnet or tn3270 capabilities either are not present or cannot be found on your workstation. Consult your browser or Gopher manual or your Internet Service Provider for assistance.

You may connect to LOCIS through the Library of Congress WWW site or Gopher site (LC MARVEL). However, either telnet or tn3270 must be available in some manner on your workstation or be available through your ISP.