INTERACTION OF SEARCH CAPABILITIES OF ELECTRONIC AND TRADITIONAL (CARD) CATALOGS

Abstract

Purpose. Interaction of search capabilities of electronic and traditional (card) catalogs. Subject: search capabilities of electronic and traditional (card) catalogs and their interaction. Goal: Creating efficient search system for library information services, updating and improving the information retrieval system. To reach this goal, following tasks are set: – to determine the possibility of parallel functioning of electronic and traditional card catalogs, and to reveal the interaction of their search capabilities by conducting a survey via questionnaire titled «Interaction of search capabilities of electronic and traditional (card) catalogs»; – to find out which search systems are preferred by users; – to estimate the actual condition of search capabilities of electronic and traditional (card) catalogs in the library. Methodology. On various stages of the survey the following methods were used: analysis and synthesis, comparison, generalization, primary sources search; sociological method (survey). These methods allowed determining, processing and ana lyzing the whole complex of available sources, which became an important factor of research objectivity. Finding. Survey results allowed us to analyze the dynamics of changes, new needs of the readers, and to make a decision regarding the quality improvement of information search services. Practical value. Creating a theoretical foundation for implementation of set tasks is the practical value of the acquired findings. Conclusions and results of the research can be used in university students’, postgraduates’ and professors’ information search activities. Certain results of the research are used and implemented in practice of the library of Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University, namely at workshops on the basics of information culture (using bibliographic reference unit, information search by key words, authors and titles via electronic catalogue). Guides for users were created. Duty bibliographer’s work on providing information search services for the users was improved. Results. Consequently, the experience of the library of Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University’s shows that both electronic and card catalogs may coexist, they complement each other, and facilitate providing quality services for the users, that’s why today the discontinuation of using card catalogs is untimely. Traditional catalogs will be used for a long time. The advantage of using electronic catalogue is availability of quick and efficient information search by any element of bibliographic entry, as well as possibilities for completing various users’ requests. Experience confirms that only in their unity electronic and card catalogs mutually complement each other, facilitating quality bibliographic reference services for the library users. Results of survey via questionnaire allowed to analyze the dynamics of changes in information search activities, new readers’ needs, and to make a decision regarding the quality improvement of information search services.