ANSI standards: creating a local, searchable database

Abstract

PurposeTo review the history behind and steps taken to inventory and build search/edit modules for a database containing the Iowa State University Library's extensive collection of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. Design/methodology/approach – Iowa State University built a database inventory of the ANSI collection of standards through the use of Microsoft Excel and Oracle production software. The collection was inventoried and input into an Excel database, then converted into a web‐based search engine using Oracle software. Edit modules were developed to allow for adding to the database, and updating and correcting existing records.FindingsWith the addition of this search engine and edit module, the task of keeping records up to date and keeping patrons informed as to the availability of standards within the ISU collection has been greatly improved.Practical implicationsThe implications for this form of database suggest it could be introduced into other major research libraries with large collections of uncatalogued literature utilizing similar software and expertise. This was a local concern that could have a broad impact on the way ANSI standards are inventoried and searched in libraries.Originality/valueThe library that possesses a large collection of work under a single call number that is not inventoried and is looking for solutions for improved patron access will find this information valuable.