Page 129 - DLIS105_REFERENCE_SOURCES_AND_SERVICES

Reference Sources and Services

Notes 2. Infoplease ( http://www.infoplease.com): Information Please has been providing
authoritative answers to all kinds of factual questions since 1938—first as a popular radio
quiz show, then starting in 1947 as an annual almanac, and since 1998 on the Internet.

11.2.4 Search Engine Services

Ask.com (http://uk.ask.com/) : It is also considered as a web based information service because
unlike other search engines, users can ask a question in Ask.com and many a times, get the answer
also. Secondly, users can ask a question on a given topic and Ask.com comes up with a list of
questions on the similar topics, the user can select any of these predefined questions and Ask.com
provides answers to that.

11.2.5 Types of Information Services Provided in the Networked Computer
Environment
• OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue): An Online Public Access Catalog or OPAC is a
computerized online catalog of the materials held in a library. The library staff and the public
can usually access it at several computer terminals within the library, or from home via the
Internet. Since the mid-1990s, character-based OPAC interfaces are being replaced by Web
based interfaces. OPACs are often part of an integrated library system.
• Current Awareness Service (CAS): The CAS is best described as delivering the right information
to the right user at the right time in the right format to keep the user up to date with latest
information in his/her respective areas.
• Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI): SDI is a part of CAS but a highly specialized
service to restricted members of the library. In this service a user registers at such a system
with keywords representing his or her fields of interest, called a search profile. When new
publications matching the search profile appear, the system informs the user of them instantly,
periodically or upon request. Some systems may also be able to inform the user if changes in
already notified publications occur.
• CD – ROM Network Service: In this information is being provided with the help of CDs.
• E-mail Service: The users and faculty members who have given their request to the library are
being facilitated with the e-mail alert service, through which any latest information related to
their interest areas is coming in the library, the intimation is being provided to the user through
e-mail.
• Bulletin Board Service: This is an electronic message service which serves specific interest
groups. BBS allow one to review the messages left by others, and leave own message if
somebody want. This is good place to interact and discuss various professional problems or
development through web.
• Indexing and Abstracting Service: Indexing and Abstracting is two different kinds of services.
In Index only citations can be given but in abstracting service abstracts for a set of published
documents can be found. Many indexed and abstracts are now produced in electronic databases
and accessible by author, subject, and keywords etc.
• Online Circulation Processes: Many of the library management software are providing this
facility under this user can issue or return the document without being come to the library. In
developed countries, this services is prominently available.

Write short note on search engine services.

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