Oakmont Carnegie Library Participates in Pilot Card Catalog System

The Oakmont Carnegie Library still uses one of the old index card catalog filing system cabinets, except it's used to store hooks, wires and other materials for the library's art gallery—not to search out reference materials or books. 

"It’s a thing of beauty, but the online version is more accessible," said Beth A. Mellor, director of the Oakmont library.

Now the library is providing even more accessibility after being chosen to premier a newer card catalog system, an online version that's savvier than the classic online system.

The new catalog, also known as the Next Generation Catalog (NGC), appeared online in March and is created to look and act much like the Barnes & Noble, or Amazon search sites.

Mellor said the card catalog is still in the testing phase and will roll out county-wide after the test period.

"So far we haven’t had any complaints.  We let our users know ahead of time that this was happening, and so we had people trying it out and asking questions," Mellor said. 

How it works: If a person was traveling to Italy and wanted a travel book. In the NGC, they could do a search as simple as "Italy Travel." The first result they get is "Fodor's Italy."

In the classic catalog, a patron would need to do a subject search for "Italy--Description and Travel." The results that they would get would be sorted alphabetically, not by Newest First as in the NGC.

The new system also allows people to have more of a serendipitous catalog experience because you don't necessarily have to know exactly what you are searching for and can use the advanced search. Filters let you narrow or expand your search and discover new materials.

The pilot system is also being tested at Sewickley Public Library, where reference librarian Meghan Snatchko said patrons are encouraged to provide feedback through a "quick survey" so that the library's help desk can learn of any problems.

"This product is still a work in progress. We've been getting all sorts of feedback so far. Some of it good, some of it bad," Snatchko said.

Mellor said patrons seem to catch onto the new system quicker, but if they don't like the system, they don't have to use it.

"They still have the option of going back to the older version of the online catalog," Mellor said. 

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