I have been scanning the list archive in support of some research I am doing
on behalf of Resource and read with interest the debate on catalogues and
network PCs. It reminded me of a section of a futures report I wrote in 1997
for a well-known public library, which suggested..
Find Me, Get Me
This proposed system is one which would be available at every library, and
also by external users including partnerships and home and business users.
It would provide a ‘catalogue’ front end (probably running to Z39 protocols
within a Windows / IP environment) which would search for published items at
an external database (or more than one) contracted by the Library. A
successful hit would then present the user with a sequence of options which
would:
§ Search the library stock database for stock and availability information
§ Offer to deliver the item to any named library
§ Offer to deliver the item to another location including home and business
§ Offer to reserve the item if on loan
§ Provide alternative locations for the item and offer to request by
interlending systems
§ Provide a user suggestion form to recommend a purchase order for the item
for library stock
§ Provide a personal order option to an online bookseller.
Has anyone done anything like this?
Martin Dudley
www.riservices.co.uk
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