Enhancing Access to Information

This book addresses the problem of the library with limited catalogue access. It discusses the various technological possibilities to help the cataloguer once again cover the entire collection with his system. For centuries, the catalogue has served as the primary access point to the information sources of a particular library. The principal role of the catalogue has been to index and describe the information contained within the library's collection. However, despite all of the advancements in modern technology, today's library catalogue system tends to index only a very small percentage of the library's comprehensive collection. The ability to expand the catalogue beyond its traditional boundaries is now within our grasp, and this volume explores several ways to do it. The chapters cover a wide range of methods for improving access to information by building upon the existing records, adding databases for materials not traditionally included in the catalogue, improving search software, enhancing the user interface, and linking a diverse array of library systems. Several reports come from libraries that have already taken the initial steps toward reclaiming the role of the catalogue as the complete index to the collection. This new book should encourage others to explore new ways of improving access through the catalogue.