Does anyone work in a library in  the academic sector which provides 
a printed subject index to stock in addition to an automated 
catalogue?

Here at The Robert Gordon University Library we have an automated 
catalogue (URICA) which allows searching by keyword of the stock 
across our various site libraries. 

In addition to the OPAC we also provide a printed subject index at 
each individual site library  relating to the stock at that site.  
This list is intended to be a "finding list" for those browsing the 
shelves (it's also useful in the event of a system crash!).  

In August, three of our site libraries will close and move to one 
library in a new building.  We are currently attempting to merge the 
subject indexes for these 3 sites. I would be interested to learn 
if anyone else produces a similar printed index?  Or does 
everyone rely on the powers of their OPAC?  

If you do provide a printed index, how do you decide on headings?  Is 
it a straight printoff from your OPAC, or an edited printoff perhaps? 
The subject fields on the catalogue records on our OPAC are either 
downloaded from BNB or created by our subject staff.  The 
subject fields, together with the title, author etc. fields can 
be searched through the keyword search option.  There is no online 
thesaurus/subject tree allowing you to search that way.  The headings 
on our printed index have developed over a period of years, from the 
heads of various members of staff and are often  different from the 
OPAC (?!).  Sometimes they have been Dewey-inspired.

How long are any printed indexes?  Our merged index for the 3 sites 
currently comprises over 150 pages although furious editing is in 
progress!  

 Would anyone be willing to send me a copy of their index?

I look forward to hearing from interested parties.  Please reply 
direct to me.  I will summarize replies to the list.

Many thanks and kind regards,
Lyn Mair

Lyn Mair
Librarian (Acting)
The Robert Gordon University
Architecture & Surveying Library
Garthdee Road
ABERDEEN
AB10 7QB

Tel. (01224) 263760



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