1999-2000 WINTER - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

LIBRARY NEWS CONTINUED BOOKS ON WHEELS How DO I FIND A LIBRARY BOOK? The library now provides a "Books on Wheels" service You don't have to be very old to remember using the for Louisville residents who cannot get to the Library card catalog to find a book in the library. It was easy due to illness,injury or handicap. to use, once you learned the system. You could Patrons who participate in this search by Author,Title or Subject and, if you learned ■ O O■ service will be entitled to fine- how to use the "See also" references,you soon exempt library cards and extended became an expert. Since most card catalogs were check-out periods. If you, or anyone you know,is arranged in a similar fashion,you could comfortably interested in receiving this service,please call use the catalog in any library. 303-666-6037, ext. 617. A few years ago, everything changed when library ELECTRONIC DATABASES VS. catalogs were automated. These online catalogs had THE INTERNET many advantages. You no longer needed to know the exact Title or Author, and you could type in a few What is the difference between a privatized electronic key words to describe the book you database that the Library purchases, and material wanted. Some catalogs would allow found on the Internet? Lots! Differences can — -_ you to add the word "sound include cost, accuracy, reliability, currency, and ease recording" or "video recording" to of use. The Library subscribes to several databases, describe the type of material you many of which are full-text and international in desired. You could even access the catalog from scope. It is the same type of material we purchased home before making a trip to the library for the item. many years ago in print, three years ago on CD- ROM, and in the last two years via the Internet. However, these "first generation" online catalogs had However, do not be confused because the material is their limitations. Since they were designed before we accessible via the Internet in the Library. It is still a knew much about human-computer interaction, these value-added database that we purchase and is not catalogs were not particularly"friendly." Using them accessible from home. required new knowledge, new skills, and a friendly librarian to walk you through your first encounter. One very important benefit of using a value-added database such as the library's InfoTrac databases Online catalogs have now moved into the next (health, business,general periodicals),Dialog (full- generation of technology. They provide a graphic text newspapers), or OCLC databases (academic- interface to the catalog with the ability to combine oriented) is that when you enter a subject heading or multiple searches; to limit by format,location, and keyword,you actually pull up material on that date; and to link with other library catalogs and subject! The Internet on the other-hand may require commercial online services (see related article: sophisticated searching skills, time spent sifting "Electronic Databases versus the Internet"). through irrelevant material, and time spent evaluating the veracity of the information. Anyone can publish In 2000, the Louisville Public Library, along with the on the Internet and sometimes that's just what you Boulder Public Library and the Mamie Dowd get— someone else's opinion! Eisenhower Public library in Broomfield,will make the transition from our current catalog (CARL) to a The next time you're in the Library, save yourself new,improved system from Innovative Interfaces, some time. Ask a Reference Librarian to show you Inc. Finding a book, or other materials,in the library the difference between the Library's subscription will be as easy as using the old card catalog. If not, databases and the Internet. The librarian can then there will always be friendly librarians waiting to assist advise you on what would be the best resource to you! answer your question. Winter 1999