CDL: CAROL database from CMDS

From:    Jack Montgomery <jack.montgomery_at_wku.edu>

Introducing CAROL!

Collections and Acquisitions Research Online (CAROL) is an information
clearinghouse for library research.  It is a web-based database where
researchers in any area of library collections or acquisitions can log a
description of their research and locate other researchers active in areas
of interest to them.  The purpose of CAROL is to encourage research by
providing a central source of information about ongoing work.

CAROL features an attractive and intuitive interface.  To include a project
takes only minutes.  Researchers who are not already in CAROL create a
researcher record in which they record their name and the names of any
co-researchers, their institution, email address, fax, and phone number.
Then, for each project that they want to list, they create a project record
in which they provide the title of the project, a brief description,
publication plans, if any, and a tentative timetable.  As a project develops,
the
researchers can access their original record in CAROL and update the project
status.  Users may also query CAROL and in a matter of seconds retrieve a
list of research projects of interest.

The idea for CAROL arose from ALA committee work among members of the
Collection Management and Development Section (CMDS) of the Association for
Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS).  Programming and design
of the CAROL database were contributed by Cornell University’s Christian
Boissonnas, who was the founder of ACQNET, and his daughter Stephanie.
We encourage all librarians and students carrying on systematic research in
any area of collections or acquisitions, whether intended for publication,
for a conference, or for use within a library operation, to log their research
on CAROL.  And we encourage everyone interested in library collections and
acquisitions to make regular use of CAROL.

CAROL may be accessed at  http://128.253.121.98/carol/start.htm
We welcome comments and suggestions. Please contact Christian Boissonnas
about technical matters (cmb3_at_cornell.edu) or Bob Nardini about content
(rnardini_at_ybp.com

  Jack Montgomery 
  Coordinator of Collection Services
  Western Kentucky University Libraries
  Library Automation and Technical Services
  309 Cravens Library Complex 
  W.K.U. Libraries 
  One Big Red Way
  Bowling Green, Kentucky   42101
  USA