ABSTRACT
While there are numerous and useful information sources that are available
from the World Wide Web (WWW) and the Internet in general, the identification of
significant Net resources is not as efficient nor effective as many desire. To
enhance access to these electronic sources, a number of operational and prototype services
have been initiated by libraries, librarians, library organizations, and others,
that have applied or adapted established professional methods and techniques to faciliate
identification and use of these electronic sources.
CyberStacks(sm), a centralized, integrated, and unified collection of
World Wide Web (WWW) and other Internet resources, established at Iowa State University in Fall
1995, has applied the Library of Congress classification scheme, and other conventional library
organizational and access methods and procedures, to facilitate identification and use of selected Net
sources.
While many may see significant similarities between CyberStacks(sm) in
its management of Internet and World Wide Web (WWW) resources and that of the
InterCat database
and the NetFirst(tm)
service, both desired outcomes of the OCLC Internet Cataloging
Project, we believe that the CyberStacks(sm)
approach is fundamentally different in the areas of
Selection, Organization, Presentation and Access.
Within this Position Paper, the general and overall goals of the OCLC Internet Cataloging Project are
presented, and the significant features and functionalities incorporated
within the InterCat database, the NetFirst(tm) service and the CyberStacks(sm)
collection reviewed and compared. The approach taken by the CyberStacks(sm) prototype demonstration
service, and related initiatives, are presented for consideration as alternative
models that can enhance current national Internet cataloging efforts.
SELECTING |
ORGANIZING |
PRESENTING |
ACCESSING
CyberStacks(sm)