Page 38 - DLIS408_INFORMATION_TECHNOLOGY-APPLICATIONSL SCIENCES

Unit 3: Library Software Packages-II

services such as recent addition services, CAS, creation and updation of authority files, etc., are Notes
other major functions supported by SOUL. A comprehensive worksheet covering almost every
field facilitates data entry of all types of books, conference proceedings, theses, etc. Facility to
create database in the regional languages, using respective scripts is also provided. This module
allows the library staff to conduct comprehensive searches for existing items before cataloguing
new items and has provision of import and export of records and retrospective conversion.

Functionally this module has been organized into following sub-modules as given in Figure 3.3.
Cataloguing process
Catalogue search
User services
Authority file maintenance
Retrospective Conversion
Reports

Figure 3.3

Catalogue Process function allows to pick-up the accessioned item, under process, for the cataloguing
purpose. Here one can add remaining information as per specified standards, such as additional
bibliographical information, subject headings, classification number, etc. Editing of existing records
for maintaining consistency can also be done here.

Notes Catalogue Search enables search of the existing items, its status, identifying
duplication etc., for the purpose of day-to-day cataloguing. This is similar to OPAC.
User Services sub module has three major functions viz., generating current awareness list (by
date, subject, etc), compiling of bibliographies with various combinations and alert services to
individual users.
Authority File Maintenance includes creating, updating and using of major authority files for
names such as publisher, languages, corporate bodies, meetings, authors, physical media, and
types of material and also for subject descriptors. This is a unique feature added to this software
taking into account the consistency that each library needs to maintain while creating records.
Retrospective Conversion has two major functions viz., data entry of old collection with minimum
information without going to first sub-module and import and export of data from and to external
sources. By using this function libraries can download the matched records from INFLIBNET
union catalogue or other sources and export the records for contributing to union catalogue, etc. A
versatile ISO2709 interface developed at INFLIBNET, which is built-in to this module, enables to
carry out the job.

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