NCSU Libraries Focus Online

Volume 25 number 3 - Spring 2005

Web Catalog Gets a Face-lift

By Andrew Pace, Systems

The NCSU Libraries implemented its first Web-based public catalog in the late 1990s. Over the years, the Web catalog (Web2) has undergone six major revisions, adding a suite of useful features--enhanced navigation, links to external electronic resources, embedded online material requests, enriched bibliographic record display, and a virtual "browse the shelf" option, to name a few. Despite a steadily growing list of functional improvements, the appearance of the catalog home page (http://catalog.lib.ncsu.edu) has not changed much over the years. This spring, the Libraries will introduce a new look and feel to the online catalog. The streamlined interface will improve searching efficiency, as well as offering contextual help, guided searching, and "expert user" options.

The Libraries has several other enhancements planned for the spring 2005 semester:

• Patrons will be able to pass NCSU catalog searches automatically to Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, NC Central, and OCLC WorldCat.
• Branch library patrons will be able to make online requests for materials not located in their branch and pick up the materials at any other library location.
• Patrons will have a choice between requesting checked-out titles via the Interlibrary Loan office or simply placing a hold on the local copy when it becomes available.