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************** Jayne Miller - Salem Public Schools ********* ON-LINE LIBRARY CATALOG SYSTEMS INTRODUCTION This analysis evaluates related telecommunication on-line resources for accessing bibliographic information on young adult Spanish literature. The need for such resources is particularly relevant to high school media centers serving growing Hispanic student populations. EVALUATION CATEGORIES Four resource centers were selected: Harvard Universtiy, Boston University, Tufts University, and the University of California. Each offers bibliographic services accessible via modem from remote locations. The services provided by each of the four centers were evaluated on 6 dimensions: 1. Scope 2. Ease of Accessing Information 3. Format of Information 4. Research Aids 5. Books Identified for Topic 6. Overall Rating In the interest of clarity and understanding each of the dimensions is defined: Scope - the number of holdings listed in the on-line catalog for that library as of July, 1991. Ease of Accessing Information - The efficiency with which a search can be executed. Format of Information - The configuration in which the information is presented. Research Aids - Tools provided by the programs that aid in finding lower tier information and accessing related topics and sources of information. Books Identified for Topic -The availability of information on the subjects of interest, i.e., Young Adult Spanish Literature and Young Adult Spanish American Literature . Overall Rating - An evaluation denoting weaknesses and strengths. THE RATINGS The information centers are evaluated on each of these dimensions. The ratings are based on the author's experience gained through interacting with the service and on quantitative data compiled in the course of study. A summary of the evaluation is presented in Table 1. Each data center is rated on a scale from 1 to 4 with 1 being the most desirable. Supporting comments are provided for each rating. TABLE 1. ******* RATING BOSTON UNIVERSITY ******* SCOPE: [2] 1.5 Million Volumes 2.5 Million Microforms All Libraries Included EASE OF ACCESS [1] The initial screen informs the user to press the key marked return for information on how to use their system TOMUS. The command screen provides the user with examples of how to begin a search. It also introduces the use of abbreviated codes for search commands, and the use of the word " and " to combine two terms to narrow a search. FORMAT [1] Information is presented in neat, orderly fashion. The words author,title, publication,location, and call number are capitlaized at the left margin and the related information is listed to the right. Tutorial statements are listed below this information and most often require the use of the return key to continue a search. RESEARCH AIDS 1 An adequate collection of research aids include: three display features, modify search commands, help screen for all commands, find and browse commands, abbreviated codes for commands and tutorial statements. # OF BOOKS 3 IDENTIFIED Four books identified for topics searched. OVERALL 1 RATING Easy for novice to use. Excellent bibliographic records. Time saving typing commands and tutorial statements that include the help command in every situation. ------------------------------------------------- ******* HARVARD UNIVERSITY ******* SCOPE 3 2 Million volumes on-line. 6 Million volumes not listed. EASE OF ACCESS 4 Initial screens present a great deal of information that challenge the first time user. Selectingthe database and accessing the command structure requires the user to execute more steps than on other systems. The exit command t log out of the catalog is presented on the first screen and is not repeated. FORMAT 4 Information appears cluttered on the screen. Command options listed at the bottom of the screen also appear cluttered. Few tutorial statements are presented and the user must enter one of the commands. Most commands may be abbreviated for ease of accessing the desired information. RESEARCH AIDS 2 Long and short display format. Tracing subject headings using the *S feature, keyword searching, index function and the listing of other titles by the same author as part of a display for a retrieved item. ISBN information. # OF BOOKS 2 IDENTIFIED Seven books identified for topics searched. OVERALL 4 RATING Difficult start up procedure. Poor exit command screen. Limited access to databases. Excellent bibliographic records. ------------------------------------------ ******* UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA ****** SCOPE 1 6,320,999 Holdings are on-line. EASE OF ACCESS 2 Introductory screen lists the databases and a tutorial statement informs the user on the steps to take to access the desired database. The search commands are defined and examples are given. FORMAT 2 The bibliographic information is presented as it would be on a card in the card catalog. It is easy to read and the user can quickly determine which campus library has a copy of the materials and the section in the library where it is located. RESEARCH AIDS 3 Three display formats. Browse and select commands for searching. A variety of commands to restrict a search or add to a search, Commands to comment to the MELVYL system and to change databases. Tutorial statements follow each search. # OF BOOKS 1 IDENTIFIED Fourteen books identified for topics searched. OVERALL 2 Easy to use for the beginner. Good documentation of commands. Help commands available for all procedures. Helpful tutorial statements to aid the user in researching. Excellent bibliographic records. -------------------------------------- ******* TUFTS UNIVERSITY ******* SCOPE NA Not available. EASE OF ACCESS 3 Introductory screen presents search commands. The example for the subject command does not provide enough information. It does not include combined terms so the user must experiment to determine if the system accepts the "and" command or "hyphen" command. The "keyword" command does not give an example. FORMAT 3 Organized format with bibliographic information identified in the left hand margin. Tutorial statements and options listed at the botttom of the screen. RESEARCH AIDS 4 Keyword search, three display formats,circulation status of material, and request for title command. # OF BOOKS 4 IDENTIFIED No items listed for topics searched. OVERALL 3 This system despite its poor system command RATING examples and help commands has two very useful featuresfor a researcher. The ability to determine the circulation status of the material and the ability to request the material from a remote setting. ********************************** EVALUATION OF SERVICES SCOPE All services offered on-line access to a very large number of volumes although the University of California and Harvard University require special permission to access large sections of their holdings. EASE OF ACCESSING INFORMATION All the systems are satisfactory once you get use to them. But for the first time user, there were significant differences among systems. Among the best for ease of access of information are Boston University and the University of California. Following the welcome screen the user is introduced to the search commands along with the command to find help. Help is available for each of the commands and the help command provides information about the procedure for executing a search and procedures to log out of the catalog. On these two systems, after each search request the number of items retrieved is indicated followed by an instruction for listing them on the screen as well as a reminder on how to seek help. It is possible to get help information at any time in the search. The Harvard University system does not allow the user access to all the databases. Some of these databases require a special identification code to access the information. On the welcome screen of the Harvard system are the instructions for exiting the data base. This information is not repeated on the help screen. The help screen does have a quit command but its function does not exit you from the database. It simply stops the search in progress and returns the user to the screen where you determi ne which database you are going to search. FORMAT Each of the systems offers a display option for items retreived by the search. The dispalyed information varies but all formats include author, title, publication date, call number and location(Name of library or section of library). Some systems include subject headings in this display format but others require an additional command to access that information. The long or full display format includes additional information such as tracings/subject headings, notes, ISBN code, and other titles by author of the book dispalyed. Harvard offers the most complete cataloging information in the expanded format of all the systems. The system also allows the user to search the subject headings by typing Trace *S 1(Number of subject heading) to locate information related to the original term searched. For example, five *S codes appear in the following format: AUTHOR: Dale, Doris Cruger TITLE: Bilingual books in Spanish and English for Children / Doris Cruger Dale PUB: INFO: Littleton, Colo. : Libraries Unlimited, 1985. DESCRIPTION: ix, 163p.; 25cm NOTES: Includes indexes ISBN: 087287477x: SUBJECTS: *S1 Children's literature, Spanish--Bibliography. *S2 Children's literature, English--Bibliography. *S3 Bilingual Books--Bibliography *S4 Children's Literature, Spanish--Translations into English--Bibliography *S5 Children's Literature, English--Translations into Spanish--Bibliography. The Boston University and University of California system were easier to use because of the tutorial statements that appear on the screen upon completion of a command. After the initial search command, the number of items is identified and a tutorial command instructs the user on how to list the items or how to seek help. When the search is not successful a tutorial directs you to check accuracy of spelling or numbers and instructs you on how to continue with your search. Once again the help command is g iven. These tutorial statements appear on the screen immediately after the listing of retreived information or after the terms used in an unsuccessful search. For example in the Boston University system the following tutorials appear: Your search: FS SPANISH LITERATURE AND YOUNG ADULT Items found: 2 at all BOSTON UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES Press RETURN to see them, or type HELP, then press the key marked RETURN. Item 1. AUTHOR Schon, Isabel. TITLE Books in Spanish for Children and young adults: an annotated guide. Series IV = Libros infantiles y juveniles en Espanol: una gula anotada. Serie no. IV / by Isabel Schon. PUBLICATION Metuchen, N>J> : Scarecrow Press, 1987. LOCATION Educational Resources Reference X CALL NUMBER Z1037.7 .S383 1987 Press RETURN to see the next item, ot type HELP, then prress RETURN The Harvard system uses a different format . Across the bottom of the screen is a list of option changes which varies depending on the command performed. The configuration of the options at the bottom of the screen is difficult to read and requires the user to type in a new command. Note the options listed at the bottom of the following example: HU SHORT DISPLAY page 1 of 1 Item 1 of 1 retrieved by your search: FIND SU YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE SPANISH AMERICAN ------------------------------------------------------------------- AUTHOR: Schon, Isabel. TITLE: Books in Spanish for children and young adults: an annotated guide. Series III = Libros infantiles y juveniles en espanl: una guia anotada. Serie no. III / by Isabel Schon. PUB. INFO: Metuchen, N>J>: Scarecrow Press 1985. DESCRIPTION: xi, 208 p.; 23cm. SUBJECTS: *S1 Children's literature, Spanish--Bibliography *S2 Children's literature, Spanish American--Bibliography *S3 Young adult literature, Spanish--Bibliography *S4 Young adult literature, Sapnish--Bibliography *S5 Young adult literature, Sapnish American--Bibliography LOCATION: Gutman Education Ref. Z1037.7.s38 1985 ------------------------------------------------------------------- OPTIONS: DISPLAY LONG HELP HELP COMMAND TRACE *S1 (etc) START-search options QUIT- exit database REDO COMMAND? The dispaly format for the University of California system has a unique feature. Upon completion of a find command, the short as well as the long display format lists the location of the material in the various libraries of the campuses that are part of the university system in California. For example: Search request: FIND SU SPANISH LITERATURE--YOUNG ADULT Search result: 7 records at all libraries Type HELP for other display options. 1. Schon, Isabel. Books in Spanish for children and young adults: an annotated guide = Libros infantiles y juveniles en espanol : una guia anotada / by Isabel Schon, Metuchen, N>J> : Scarecrow Press, 1978. UCI Main Lib PN1009.S8 S35 UCLA URI Z2694.5 S35 UCSB Library Z2694.5 .S35 Col Tloque Nahuaque UCSD Central PN 1009 .S8z S36 Press RETURN to see the next screen. RESEARCH AIDS The Tufts University system has an oustanding research aid. It provides the user with the necessary bibliographic information and also indicates if the book is checked-out. Obtaining the material is the reason for using an on-line catalog, knowing the book is on the shelf expedites the process of locating the information. A host of other research aids are shared by all systems evaluated. Typical of these aids are: notes, subject headings, keyword searches, one letter code for search commands, access c apability by author, title, subject, and call number. BOOKS IDENTIFIED FOR TOPIC The number of books identified by the resource services accessed is suprisingly small. Using the subject headings Young Adult Literature--Sapnish and Young Adult Literature--Spanish American, the titles range in number from zero to fourteen. A small number considering the number of volumes contained in the centers ranged from 2 million to 6 million. Additional resources were available by searching other related subject headings. OVERALL RATING All four programs fulfilled the needs of the researcher but some are easier to use and more comprehensive and, therefore, more useful than others. The Boston University, University of California, and Tufts University catalog systems were nearly equivalent in usefullness while Harvard provided the most complete bibliographic information and offered the most flexibility once the initial commands were mastered. The Boston University system wins my vote for the best overall system on the merit of ease of access and the format of information on the screen. YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE -- SPANISH/SPANISH AMERICAN SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY Bibliografia Basica Para Bibliotecas Infantiles y Juveniles. Ministerio de Cultura, Direccion General del Libro Y Biblioteca, 1986. Breaking Boundaries: Latina Writing and Critical Readings / edited by Ascuncion ahorno-Delgado ... (et al.). University of Massachusetts, 1989. Cendan, Pazos, Fernando Medio siglo de libros infantiles y juveniles en Espana: (1935-1985). Ediciones Pirmade, 1986. Dale, Doris Cruger Bilingual Books in Spanish and English for Children. Libraries Unlimited, 1985. A Decade of Hispanic Literature: an anniversary Anthology. Revista Chicano- Riquena, 1982. Demerson, Paula de Esbozo de Biblioteca de la Juventud Ilustrada (1740-1808). Univeridad, Caterdra Feijoo, Facultad de Filosofia y Letras, 1976. Fitzmaurice-Kelly, James 1858-1923 Spanish Bibliography. Oxford University Press, 1925. Foster, David William Manual of Hispanic Bibliography. University of Washington Press, 1970. Foster, David William Puerto Rican Literature: a Bibliography of Secondary Sources. Greenwood Press, 1982. Jones, Cecil Knight A Bibliography of Latin American Bibliographies. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1942. Kanellos, Nicolas Biographical Dictionary of Hispanic Literature in the United States: the Literature of Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, and other Hispanic Writers. Greenwood Press, 1989. Pattison, Walter Thomas, 1903- Representative Spanish Authors: A First Book of Spanish Literature. Oxford University Press, 1942. Pedreiira, Antonio Salvador Bibliografma Puertorriqueqa (1430-1930) B. Franklin Reprints, 1974. Rela, Walter A Bibliographical Guide to Spanish American Literature: Twentieth-Century Sources. Greenwood Press, 1988. Schon, Isabel A Hispanic Heritage, Series III: A Guide to Juvenile Books About Hispanic People and Cultures. Scarecrow Press, 1988. Schon, Isabel Books in Spanish for Children and Young Adults: An annotated Guide = Libros Infantiles y Juveniles en Espanol: Una Guia Anotada. Scarecrow Press, 1978. Series II. Scarecrow Press, 1983. Series III Scarecrow Press, 1985. Series IV Scarecrow Press, 1987. Series V Scarecrow Press, 1989. Simsn, Dmaz, Josi Manual de Bibliografma de la Literatura Espanola. G. Gill, 1966. Woodbridge, Hensley Charles, 1923- Guide to Reference Works for the Study of the Spanish Language and Literature and Spanish American Literature. Modern Language Association of America, 1987. Woodbridge, Hensley Charles, 1923- Spanish and Spanish American Literature: An Annotated Guide to Selected Bibliographies. Modern Language Association of America, 1983. CREDITS Boston University: TOMUS On-line Library Catalog Harvard University: HOLLIS On-line Library Catalog Tufts University: TULIPS On-line Library Catalog University of California: MELVYL On-line Library Catalog Permission to distribute to telecommunication class.