PACE (Public Access Catalogue Extension) is an alternative interface d
esigned to enhance online catalogs. PACE simulates images of books and
library shelves to help users browse through the catalog. PACE was te
sted in a college library against a text-based, online public access c
atalog (Best-Seller) in a real operational environment. The results sh
ow that a simple browsable retrieval interface performed as well as a
second-generation OPAC in terms of retrieval speed and search success.
The overwhelming majority of students, however, preferred the browsin
g capability of PACE through the familiar metaphor of books and librar
y shelves to a text-based OPAC.