The online catalog is average to above average. There are a lot of options that can be chosen to search; these include: browse, keyword, combined, number, and all catalogs. Those worth mentioning would be combined searching which allows many different options to be chosen to limit the search (like most advanced searches), and number searching allows a user to search by call numbers, ISBN numbers, and other numbers assigned by the library. Some of the options for a record include: emailing the record, adding it to a list, and/or viewing the MARC record. Another feature of the catalog is the “Who else has” link found to the left of the record. The link will take you to the Smithsonian Institution Research Information System (SIRIS) Cross Catalog Searching Center; this can also be accessed through the All Catalogs option in the OPAC.
SIRIS Cross Catalog is described as allowing “you to search descriptive records from dozens of Smithsonian libraries, archives and specialized research units.” This includes “over 1.7 million records, with links to images, video and sound files, electronic journals and other resources from all across the Smithsonian.” Some of the features of SIRIS Cross Catalog include an option to only return records with media files. There are different views for search results including the list view, the grid view (thumbnails), or slideshow. The catalog provides further search assistance in that it has many related topics/options categorized to the left of the returned results. Some of these include: online media, type, subject, name, culture, language, place, date, and data source.
Back on the SIL homepage, there are also many useful tools for the average person looking to browse as well as the advanced scholar. The homepage has a recommended link, which changes when the page is refreshed and presents information and often images about one of the libraries exhibitions. There is also an Events & Programs link and a Featured Image link each of which takes the user to more information about the image or event. A user can also browse the “What’s new online” section which includes: Digital Library, Art & Design, American Discovery, and Mosaic of Science. Each link provides access to a new discovery with online texts and/or images. Finally, the homepage provides three search tool options: find a book, find an image, and search this site. Find a book will take the user to the catalog; the catalog can also be found by clicking on a link in “Explore the Collections.” Find an image will bring up images with the specified search criteria, and search this site will provide a list of the different instances that contain the search criteria. It is very user friendly to have quick and easy access to limit what type of item you would like to search (ex: searching images only returns images); however, if more advanced searching is preferred those options are still available.
One last thing worth mentioning is the Tools for the Researcher; in this section a user can link to Electronic Journals for Smithsonian Staff, and while most of the journals are restricted to authorized users, there is a link to Free E-Journal; this provides access to numerous journals, and its use is unrestricted.
Overall, SIL provides an excellent collection of resources. I was amazed at how many options the site and even the catalog provide. The site achieves its goal of using its collection to encourage exploration of its resources. It’s a great example of a digital collection, and I highly recommend taking a moment to browse it (if nothing else at least search for a few images—there are some great old photos and advertisements).
No comments:
Post a Comment