Page 264 - DLIS007_LIBRARY AUTOMATION

Unit 14: Current Awareness Services (CAS)

a comprehensive sense that, SDI is a type of current awareness service which under optimum Notes
conditions involves screening of documents, selecting information exactly tailored to meet the
specific research needs of each user or a group of users and supplying the information directly
to each individual or group so that user can keep abreast of the latest developments in the area
of his specialization.

14.3.1 Traditional Procedures of SDI Service

Every library is not equipped with computer particularly in developing countries. Mechanical
operation is also a costly matter. No doubt that there are various limitations in the manual
operation of SDI system but it is justified also while planning the SDI services. However, to
operate SDI service manually, the following steps are carried in operation:

Selection of Projects: The first stage of planning SDI service is the selection of important
projects to be covered by SDI system. Projects should be selected on preferential basis.
Project Profile: Users’ interest should be recognized and a project profile should be
prepared.
Document Profile: When projects are selected and profile is prepared, documents should
be scanned and a document profile will be prepared.
Comparing and Matching: When project profile and document profile are prepared, both
the profiles should be compared and matched.

Evaluation: The system should be evaluated periodically.
14.3.2 Conceptual Workflow of Traditional SDI Service

The sequence of functioning or workflow including the main activities in manual SDI service is
explained in Figure 14.2. The workflow shows that the execution of manual SDI service involves
some sequential operations which are explained below:

Step 1: Starting Point

Receiving the new arrivals/documents.
Receiving user profile.

Step 2: Scanning the Document

Specifying and recording bibliographical description of the new items.

Scanning the new documents in terms of subject matter and setting up appropriate subject
headings and feasible number of keywords with appropriate page references.
Scanning new and old items in terms of user’s interest and preparing index file for those
items by selecting significant key terms relevant to users’ subject interest.

Step 3: Analysis of the User’s Need

Careful study of user profile.
Asking user through an unstructured interview regarding his need.
Preparing a search profile by selecting appropriate possible terms for searching information
relevant to concerned need.

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