The Dutch PiCarta service is an integrated multimaterial database including request and alerting facilities. Via a userfriendly interface, PiCarta offers electronic access to a rich range of information e.g. bibliographic descriptions, abstracts, full text, online resources and electronic documents. The user who chooses PiCarta can simultaneously search an increasing number of databases containing a wide variety of material types.
PiCarta is based on the PSI software that was developed by OCLC PICA.
DISCOVER AND LOCATE
Multiple databases integrated
PiCarta integrates a number of important databases. Within The Netherlands, users can search simultaneously in OCLC PICA databases such as the Dutch Central Catalogue and Online Contents, a database containing the tables of content of 17,000 current periodicals. In addition, an increasing number of databases is offered by external database suppliers. These are offered to institutions who have signed an appropriate license agreement. Databases available to a particular user are clearly indicated on the opening page.
Multiple formats for the hybrid library
In PiCarta, references to many different types of material are integrated. On-screen icons help users to distinguish between printed texts, maps, audiovisual material, software and online resources. In future, digitised archival materials will also be included.
Holding libraries identified
In the Dutch Central Catalogue, the Gemeinsamer Bibliotheksverbund (GBV) shared database and the Système Universitaire of ABES, the French university library network, users of PiCarta in the Netherlands, and of similar interfaces in
Germany and France can identify libraries that hold copies of particular items and, in many cases, link through to the library’s OPAC to view loan status and availability.
Fast, flexible searching options
PiCarta offers search facilities for new and expert users including Boolean, proximity and wildcard operators. Relevance ranking ensures that titles that best match the search terms used are presented first.
Multilingual interface
The interface is available in English, Dutch, German; ABES, the French network of university libraries has a French interface.
SDI Alerting Service
The SDI alerting service keeps PiCarta users informed about new publications via e-mail. SDI requests may be created that repeat a chosen search at regular intervals and send the results via email. They may also be used to receive the table of contents from new issues of a particular serial or to be informed of the addition of new titles to the PiCarta database.
REQUEST AND DELIVER
Supply of identified materials is central to the PiCarta service. PiCarta includes a range of options for obtaining resources. Full text documents and digital objects are displayed online. Subject to your local library procedures, users can enter a request for all types of material in the Interlibrary Loan System.
If a publication is available electronically, it will be supplied by e-mail to the user’s personal mailbox.
