ISIS PLUS

10 years of Mini-micro CDS/ISIS in Portugal: a success history
J£lio Rafael Ant¢nio and Maria Jos‚ Ferreira


Abstract:

The authors will explain the reasons and main purpose for the
first implementation of Mini-micro CDS/ISIS done in Portugal.
At that time (1986) it allowed the free distribution of a
bibliographic database following UNIMARC standard, named
PORBASE.

An evaluation of several versions and difficulties around its
distribution will  be made.

Regarding some of these difficulties and the lack of software
for libraries the authors developed a full package:
Acquisition, Cataloguing, OPAC, Thesaurus, Loans and Serials
named DOCBASE. These new modules were fully developed with
PASCAL programming language from Mini-micro CDS/ISIS which
demonstrated all potential and gave a new confidence to the
users.

One of major improvements was cataloguing, which allowed the
input based on ISBD rules and the interface to automate the
export of records on UNIMARC format without any need of
skilled operators on such format. All records are validated
against a THESAURUS.

Some other database were created for Legislation, Records
Management, Museums and Image Archives which will be described
during the presentation.

The authors will try to assess future needs they found
necessary during the work they have done for the last five
years mainly the WINDOWS version of CDS/ISIS.



1 - Facts about computers on Portuguese Libraries

Until 1980 Portugal had no tradition on library automation and
only few companies decided to use computers for. Some of these
projects where done with a lack of standardization because the
only goal was to retrieve documents stored on databases.

Cataloguing rules following  ISBD appeared only at the end of
70ïs and management of loans, serials or acquisitions were
made manually.

There was some librarians watching to change this situation
but lack of budgets and knowledge  were major constraints. The
problem illiteracy was one of main problems that could explain
lack of users in libraries.

Happily in the middle of eighties National Library decide to
begin a project to build a National Bibliographic Database
where major university libraries would cooperate. Public
libraries would participate in this project exchanging
national bibliography on-line.

Such huge project only could be succeeded if all libraries
involved immediately begin learning about computers and
automation. While the project was being developed such
learning was crucial for cooperation and understanding of
future environment.

Regarding the lack of standardization it was decide to use
UNIMARC format as the national cataloguing format.

National Library was supposed to install a mainframe and
cooperative libraries would be connected though public data
network. This was not mean that each library could not have
their own catalogue on microcomputer

At that time Mini-micro CDS/ISIS happily was known and the
team decide to use it to develop cataloguing and OPAC. It was
translated into portuguese language and a database was
designed with worksheets following UNIMARC standard.

This work was finished on February 1987 and more than 200
copies distributed free of charge. It was really a complete
change on Portuguese libraries that began getting some
knowledge on this subject.

From that time till 1990 some problems arise not only
regarding the need to get skilled people on UNIMARC format but
too because National Library changed its policy about Mini-
micro CDS/ISIS distribution.

It was demanded a $300 fee to get the program and $1000 fee to
get the database on UNIMARC format. In spite of such policy
other libraries asked for the program even because commercial
available software had no quality neither followed standards.

Any way a large number of libraries did not began working with
CDS/ISIS on account of difficulties above and began
criticizing the program ignoring all its real potentialities.


2 - The DOCBASE solution

Regarding all these constraints a team of librarians and
computers experts decided to develop a new solution based on
CDS/ISIS . They believed deeply on the program and did not
want that initial explosion of users let died destroying
enthusiasm of such project.

Portugal has a lack of resources and only UNESCO software
could allow library automation at a low cost.

The first idea was to design a database following ISBD
standard which was much easier for cataloguing, and to program
an interface that automatically export/import records on
UNIMARC format (ISO 2709). On-line validation through inverted
file or a Thesaurus was another feature included.

The second goal was the user interface adding some PASCAL
programs that would facilitate a guided search.

First release of DOCBASE was done on June 1991 and immediately
a large number of specialized libraries order it.

After such success it was decided to complete the
functionality adding management of
loans, acquisitions and serials.

At present more than 200 libraries from public sector,
universities and private companies are using DOCBASE and Mini-
micro CDS/ISIS. More than 50 secondary schools are cataloguing
with DOCBASE which allowed cooperation between these
institutions.

Meanwhile other databases were released for Public Records,
Legislation, Museums, Photographic Collections and Press
releases.

We can say that with DOCBASE it was possible to guarantee that
near 1000 institutions still using Mini-micro CDS/ISIS in
Portugal maintaining it alive.


3 - Future of Mini-micro CDS/ISIS

With WINISIS we strong believe that any doubts about the
program will disappear and a growing number of institutions
will join the project using either PORBASE or DOCBASE.

PASCAL language programs that were included on DOCBASE allowed
a different user interface and are now available with WINISIS.
Users from DOS environment will change easily to WINDOWS
maintain operational all database developed till now.

These new version linking image, sound and hypertext showed
that it still aligned with newest technologies. Mini-micro
CDS/ISIS databases are organized on a unstructured model
similar to INTERNET HTML pages which allow a completely
coherence for future WEB developments

Even at present stage it incorporates already client-server
architecture which give it the leadership on such
environments.

We really believe that on future Mini-micro CDS/ISIS will play
an important role, being one of the best solutions on textual
arena.