Voyager (LC's system) could support a combined index browse with
relatively simple modifications.
1. Create browse indexes for the various un-controlled headings-type
fields (245, 246, 740, etc.)
2. Allow the combination of these with the existing browse indexes for
controlled headings.
3. Normalize both controlled and uncontrolled browse indexes using the
subfield indicator codes as part of the character string. This will sort
subdivisions in the way they're meant to be read rather than strictly
alphanumerically. For example, for subjects, this will display the
undivided subject first followed by form subdivisions, then topical
subdivisions, then chronological subdivisions, and finally geographical
subdivisions.
4. Offer this browse as an alternative to a keyword search. Very little
captioning and training are needed; users can see at a glance what's
going on and make it work for themselves.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
David Stockton
Technical Services Librarian
Philip Weltner Library
Oglethorpe University
4484 Peachtree Road
Atlanta, GA 30319
(404) 364-8502
www.oglethorpe.edu
Make a life. Make a living. Make a difference.
-----Original Message-----
From: Next generation catalogs for libraries
[mailto:NGC4LIB_at_listserv.nd.edu] On Behalf Of Martha Yee
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 10:40 AM
To: NGC4LIB_at_listserv.nd.edu
Subject: [NGC4LIB] FW: [NGC4LIB] Google single search box combined with
browse
Unfortunately, LC's basic search forces the user to choose a type of
search
first before the search is done. What I was trying to suggest was that
if
you let the user type a search into the search box and produced a list
of
all headings (of all types) that match, you could save the user from
having
to guess up front, for example, which index to choose for Rocky
Mountains or
Bugs Bunny.
Martha
myee_at_ucla.edu
-----Original Message-----
From: Next generation catalogs for libraries
[mailto:NGC4LIB_at_listserv.nd.edu]On Behalf Of Bernhard Eversberg
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 5:34 AM
To: NGC4LIB_at_listserv.nd.edu
Subject: Re: [NGC4LIB] Google single search box combined with browse
In principle, LC's http://catalog.loc.gov "Basic Search"
does already integrate dictionary browsing in subjects, names, series
titles and call numbers. It is just a bit clunky and clumsy so there's
ample room for improvement - Any reasons why it shouldn't be done and
couldn't be made more appealing as well as faster?
B.Eversberg
Received on Thu Aug 02 2007 - 17:25:18 EDT