Database forum: a summary

Press, 11 January 1983, Page 19

Database forum: a summary

The meetings of the South Island Local Database Forum ran in parallel with meetings of the original group which was set up in Wellington. The impetus for these forums arose from three different events. • A paper written by Ms Monica Hissink. head of the information division of the Building Research Association with the enigmatic title, “Why create databases of local literature? Why create any databases in New Zealand?” • The commitment made by the National Library to the New Zealand Bibliographic Network. N.Z.B.N. is a venture being implemented by the National Library to facilitate shared cataloguing in New* Zealand libraries. It consists of a database of more than two million bibliographic or catalogue records and the related computer programs. The first phase has been its installation within the National Library using a Facom Ml6O. The next phase in 1983 will be the enlargement of the network to other New Zealand libraries and the transfer of the system to a larger computer. It was clear from the outset that N.Z.B.N. could not only provide the stimulus needed’to create other local databases but that the possibility of interfacing with N.Z.B.N. should be considered.

• A survey conducted by the chief librarian of the D.S.I.R. of New Zealand databases. This identified more than 50 databases already created. With this much activity already in progress, it was clear that a forum for the sharing of information and experience .was timely. It was set up with the intentions that the summaries of each meeting would ultimately be used to form a "state of the art" of database creation in New Zealand. Six meetings were held in Christchurch. The fact that such diverse interests were involved, with a continuing participation from librarians, computer people, and scientists, points to some success in the sharing of ideas through discussion. Out of the discussions there has been built up a file of information of interest to forum members which is held in the commerce, science and technology division of the Public Library. Additions are still being made to this file and it is

available for anyone to consult. The lofty aims of the forum of proposing and planning nationally-a vailable databases and initiating the creation of needed databases seemed a little ambitious, but recent meetings in Wellington may have brought us closer to these ideals.

The ’ Building Research library is involved in an investigation of the feasibility of computerising its catalogue. Because the catalogue of this library includes detailed indexing of journal articles it has much potential as an information resource, narticularlv as there is not a satisfactory database of building information available to us on overseas information services.

The South Island Local Database Forum met six times during the year to discuss issues in the creation and use of local databases in New Zealand. At a recent meeting of the Computer Society Ms Ainslie Dewe, of the Canterbury Public Library, summarised the outcome of those meetings.

A suggestion was made that the Building Research database might be added to N.Z.B.N. system as a pilot project, with the possibility of adding other laters.

This would make N.Z.B.N. much more attractive as an information resource, in addition to its cataloguing function. It would also provide a great stimulus to the creation of other local databases.

A possible scenario is that a number of middle-class databases could be added to N.Z.B.N. and also a database of databases which would cater for the smaller ones by referral.

There are, of course, many political and economic, if not technical, problems to be faced, but at least a willingness to consider the option exists.

Another aim of the Forum meetings was to produce a state-of-the-art report. This has not yet been attempted. It is difficult to know when to stop investigating and start writing, especially as the Wellington meetings are continuing. The aim of promotion of the use of databases must have achieved some success, simply through the publicity the forums have had. This, it is hoped, will have promoted an awareness of databases as one solution for complex information needs. Thus we can say that some of the aims of the forum were partly satisfied but that there are still many questions left to be answered.