Research Paper: The level of exploitation of Universal Decimal Classification in library OPACs: a pilot study
The level of exploitation of Universal Decimal Classification in library OPACs: a pilot study
by Aida Slavic, 2006
Source: Vjesnik bibliotekara Hrvatske 49(3-4), English Translation
Abstract:
This is an English translation of the article published in Vjesnik bibliotekara Hrvatske (Croatian Library Journal). The paper reports on a pilot study observing the level to which library classification, Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) specifically, is exploited in searching and browsing library OPACs. The study was conducted in 2004-2005. A selection of 30 Web OPACs using UDC from 22 countries were observed. The OPACs were representative of 5 in-house and 10 vendor library systems. Interface areas examined were: UDC access points, searching, browsing and display. In total, 23 designated interface functionalities were identified. From these observations, it transpires that there is a great discrepancy in the number of functions available, ranging from two to sixteen. The majority (87%) of OPACs have between seven and sixteen UDC related access points and functions enabled. Only four out of thirty catalogues offer top/down systematic browsing (i.e. knowledge area browsing), and only fourteen catalogues have a classification number in the bibliographic description hyperlinked to allow access to other titles in the same class.
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