Session Number
02
Description
The information service performed by the Royal Institute of Technology handles requests from both university users and from industry. Fourteen databases are currently used for SDI purposes. As the library also has on-line facilities for retrospective searches of six databases in the ESRO/RECON network, it has been found that retro-searches usually initiate SDI-profiles for current awareness information.
In 1967 the Institute initiated its own database "Mechanical Engineering - MECHEN" and began a subscription to the tapes from the Institute for Scientific Information. The purpose was primarily to provide a service to Swedish manufacturers in the mechanical engineering field. However, the interdisciplinary nature of the ISI tapes attracted interest from many users in the universities. The total number of profiles in 1972 was 1,050. The Institute welcomes profiles from outside universities or companies through the intermediary of their own librarians. However, most contacts are carried out directly with the users. The back-up service giving full documentation is necessary for keeping the interest of the users, and places a heavy burden on the regular library service.
This report deals with the coverage, the operational and the performance functions. The system is of a general nature which permits inclusion of various databases of completely different tape formats. Any combination of elements of a bibliographic record can be searched. As the profile maintenance program becomes an essential element when the number of profiles is building up, an on-line facility for updating has been instalied. Thus, it is possible from a type-writer terminal to initiate, up-date and revise a profile at any time. Two such remote terminals are in operation, one 60 miles from Stockholm.
Special emphasis is laid upon the principles for free text searching and the problems of arranging the printout in such a way that it gives user satisfaction. At present a statistical approach is in operation. Since many databases have keywords or other subject indicators, a combination of free text search of titles and keywords is often used. There is no significant deviation in the user's reaction when subjected to printout from free text searches or from keyword searches.
SDI Obtained from Numerous Tape Services
The information service performed by the Royal Institute of Technology handles requests from both university users and from industry. Fourteen databases are currently used for SDI purposes. As the library also has on-line facilities for retrospective searches of six databases in the ESRO/RECON network, it has been found that retro-searches usually initiate SDI-profiles for current awareness information.
In 1967 the Institute initiated its own database "Mechanical Engineering - MECHEN" and began a subscription to the tapes from the Institute for Scientific Information. The purpose was primarily to provide a service to Swedish manufacturers in the mechanical engineering field. However, the interdisciplinary nature of the ISI tapes attracted interest from many users in the universities. The total number of profiles in 1972 was 1,050. The Institute welcomes profiles from outside universities or companies through the intermediary of their own librarians. However, most contacts are carried out directly with the users. The back-up service giving full documentation is necessary for keeping the interest of the users, and places a heavy burden on the regular library service.
This report deals with the coverage, the operational and the performance functions. The system is of a general nature which permits inclusion of various databases of completely different tape formats. Any combination of elements of a bibliographic record can be searched. As the profile maintenance program becomes an essential element when the number of profiles is building up, an on-line facility for updating has been instalied. Thus, it is possible from a type-writer terminal to initiate, up-date and revise a profile at any time. Two such remote terminals are in operation, one 60 miles from Stockholm.
Special emphasis is laid upon the principles for free text searching and the problems of arranging the printout in such a way that it gives user satisfaction. At present a statistical approach is in operation. Since many databases have keywords or other subject indicators, a combination of free text search of titles and keywords is often used. There is no significant deviation in the user's reaction when subjected to printout from free text searches or from keyword searches.