Scenario for microcomputer-based serials cataloging front ISDS records

Abstract

Serials librarians in the less developed countries but also in small libraries of the industrialized countries have been mostly spectators so far in the library automation arena due to the financial and infrastructural implications of computerization. Now this can change dramatically by the availability of adequate and affordable hardware, software and dataware. To these components the author adds some knoware by outlining a scenario for implementing online serials catalogs on an IBM PC/XT from ISDS records using a customized version of a bibliographic information storage and retrieval program developed by UNESCO. The stages of the proposed scenario are discussed and the components are reviewed. The paper concludes with recommendations for a research and development project which would result in a kit of customized software and user guide to implement microcomputer based serials catalogs by libraries with a maximum collection of 30,000 records.