An online library catalogue
| Date | 01 June 1992 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb045185 |
| Pages | 325-331 |
| Published date | 01 June 1992 |
| Author | Giovanna Alloro,Donatella Ugolini |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Article
An online library catalogue
Giovanna Alloro
National Institute for Cancer Research of Genoa, Viale
Benedetto XV, n.10, 16132 Genoa, Italy
Donatella Ugolini
Clinical and Experimental Oncology Institute of the
University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, n.10,
16132 Genoa, Italy
Abstract: This paper starts with a description of a project
to introduce automation in the libraries of
the
National
Institute for Cancer Research and the Clinical and
Experimental Oncology Institute of the University of Genoa.
It then describes the information retrieval software chosen
to manage various library functions, in particular
the
book
catalogue.
Use
of this system led to new working methods
for library staff and for the
users.
The users' interest in the
new system has been evaluated by attendance of specific
training courses and by the number of accesses to the online
catalogue.
Preliminary results show that this interest
exists,
and that
adequate information can improve the library user's
approach to the automated catalogue and make it a part
of
the user's routine
work.
1.
Introduction
The libraries of the National Institute for Cancer Research
(IST) and the Clinical and Experimental Oncology Institute
of the University of Genoa share facilities and personnel with-
in a single structure under a sole director.
They are complemented by the Scientific Information and
Documentation Service (SIDS), which is directly involved in
managing the library since SIDS personnel perform part of
the activities by promoting and organising the library services
and providing scientific support.
The library in question is a biomedical library which deals
in particular with tumour research. It
is
a medium-size library
(264 subscriptions to scientific journals and 2600 books in
1991) with an attendance of approximately 40 users per day.
This paper will illustrate the stages that led to the creation
of an online library catalogue, as well as its introduction as a
reference tool available to users.
2.
The automation project
Implementation of the online catalogue is part of a largerpro-
ject to introduce personal computers (PCs) to automate the
various functions of library management (Table 1). Among
these, the book catalogue was considered a priority.
Table
1:
Library functions to automate.
— Book acquisition and catalogue
— Inventory
— Loans
— Journal subscriptions and catalogue
— Database of IST scientific publications
— Database of bibliographic searches
— Mailing list.
The closing months of 1984 saw the reorganisation of the
library and the creation of an index card catalogue, based on
ISBD
rules.
These steps were completed with the assignment
of key words extrapolated from MeSH (Medical Subject
Headings) (National Library of Medicine 1990) and a specific
classification (National Library of Medicine Classification)
(National Library of Medicine 1978, Ugolini et
al.
1990) of
each of the books examined.
At the same time, several PC-based information retrieval
software packages were evaluated to find the one best suited
to implement an automated catalogue, as well as being ca-
pable of handling a series of other functions (inventory, ac-
quisition, loan, etc.) (Kilgour 1981, Leggate & Dyer 1986,
Lundeen &Tenopir 1985, Powell & Slach 1985).
The next phase consisted of implementing the catalogue
through a study of
the
software, input of data and creation of
all the search aids (thesaurus, manuals, management
rules),
as
well as organising the various work phases.
By the end of 1990 the online catalogue was ready for
queries, and it was used by the library staff to manage book
acquisition and to satisfy user requests. A PC was therefore
allocated
to the
library and the online catalogue became avail-
able for queries by users who were to be trained in its use
through special courses, beginning in 1991.
A partial printed catalogue, the index cards of which were
printed directly by the online catalogue, is also available for
reference.
3.
Software features
The information retrieval software used to create the cata-
logue is called Texto (developed by Chemdata of Lyon in
The Electronic Library, Vol. 10, No. 6, December 1992. 325
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