Why does the Online Catalog look different in the Library of Congress reading rooms than it does on the Web?
Users anywhere in the world beyond the walls of the Library of Congress can access the Online Catalog using the World Wide Web at http://catalog.loc.gov/. Users inside the Library of Congress utilize the Windows-based version of the Online Catalog. While there are some differences in the two versions, the catalog data is the same–only the interface is different. Back to Questions • I have a slow Internet connection. Is there text-only access to the Online Catalog? The Library is currently not able to offer TELNET access to a text-only version of the LC Online Catalog. An alternative interface is available using the Library’s Z39.50 Gateway. This interface works well with text-based browsers, such as Lynx. To learn more about the Z39.50 protocol for information retrieval, visit the Z39.50 Maintenance Agency Page. The Library is aware of the need for text-based access to the Online Catalog to satisfy the needs of its offsite users. The Library is working with its system vendor, Endeavor
