Page 131 - DLIS006_INFORMATION SOURCES AND SERVICES

Information Sources and Services

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A homepage for news clips service has been created and through which access to the news clips
has been achieved.

6.6.10 NewsGroup

They are on-line discussion groups on many topics of varied interest. A program called
newsreader is required to view and post message in newsgroups. Unlike mail lists and chats,
newsgroups allow readers to choose the topics to discuss. They can be of immense help to
professionals and scientists. Special libraries must encourage users to participate in newsgroups
thereby enhancing the organizational knowledge base. The library staff can post messages in
the appropriate newsgroup and discuss library-related problems, adoption of new techniques
in libraries, etc.

6.6.11 Newsletter Services

It is very good service to the users, listing available Internet services, sites, new addition,
publications, useful like Conference, Workshops, Training and Fellowship programs. A catalogue
of Internet base information sources is useful assets for all R&D libraries if given at regular
intervals through e-mail or they can host it in their website.

6.6.12 OPAC

The Online Public Access Catalogue is one manifestation of the massive changes that are taking
place as we plunge into the information age. OPACs are the gateways to information in libraries
and provide facilities to browse search and locate information. OPACs were developed to meet
the needs of users in two different ways (1) it meant access to library housekeeping operations
especially circulation and (2) to give the library users direct access to the machine-readable
bibliographic records.

An OPAC

Provides the public with direct access to a library’s bibliographic database though the use
of a terminal.

Is searchable though a variety of access points greater than those available through card
form catalogues.

Is searchable with a common command language, which may be transferred when the
public moves from one library to another.
Retrieves information from a local library field, and if not successful locally, retrieves
information from other libraries’ files.

Provides instructional help.
Displays search results in readily understandable form.

Provides links to card form catalogues, reference help, circulation files, etc.
May be accessed remote from the library’s location.

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