McAdam

BookFind-CD Past and Present

by
Rachel McAdam
Book Data

I will be talking today about BookFind-CD, and would like to discuss the the following areas:

What is BookFind-CD?
What enhancements have there been recently?
What develeopments are planned for the future?

BookFind-CD is a bibliographic database of more than 2 million english language titles. The database was first put onto CD-ROM in 1992, since when, there have been a number of innovations:

BookFind-CD was the first database of its kind to combine UK and US titles, making it a truly international database. Working with Baker & Taylor, one of the largest US book wholesalers, we include 1,3 million titles from their own database.
It was the first bibliographic database to be available under WINDOWS: we introduced this extra feature in April 1995, and at no extra charge, our customers are now able to access MS-DOS and WINDOWS from the same CD.
We were also first in creating international editions for different markets. We have tailored out mainframe system for customers in Australia, Southern Africa and in New Zealand. Where we have local Australian, South African or New Zealand price and distribution details, BookFind-CD users in those countries see those first rather than UK or US (where they are available).
Finally, the main difference between BookFind-CD and other databases is that it is the only one to provide descriptions and lists of contents (OHP 3). 850,000 records include such annotation.

Since we started in 1987, we have introduced developments at various stages: this has often been in response to the results of our customer surveys. In addition to our annual customer survey, all new customers receive a questionnaire within 3 months of subscribing. Several developments to the database have improved the coverage of BookFind-CD, which is as comprehensive as any other database. For example, we now offer a free of charge service for publishers (our Shortlist service): rather than pay for annotations, they are able to add basic bibliographic information to our database. This campaign has been very successful in targeting the smaller publishers we did not already include on BookFind-CD.

Recent Enhancements:

1. Archive CD:

At this year's London International Book Fair, we launched our Archive CD. BookFind-CD Archive is a database of Out of Print titles, and will be produced annually. Regular subscribers will receive this service free of charge. To purchase Archive CD separately, the charge is GBP100 (this also applies to Single Issue users).

This new addition to the range of BookFind-CD services will include any titles on our database which went out of print more than one year ago. We are committed to keeping on the database of in print titles any titles which have gone out of print within the last year.

Unlike any other Archive CD, Book Data's unique version will include annotations and tables of contents (from our subscribing publishers). We are able to pull this descriptive information from our mainframe database: once a description exists, it always exists. We are now making the great use of the detailed annotations available for many out of print titles.

2. Integration with other systems:

Last month, we introduced a facility that reduces the number of keystrokes required to download records from BookFind-CD into other systems.

BookFind-CD has always included several possible formats for downloading (including UK MARC), but this can increase the number of keystrokes necessary for downloading. The long list of possible formats will still be available, but it is now possible for customers wishing to streamline the process of exporting data to use this new facility (from MS-DOS only).

Through this new service, BookFind-CD links with:

Teleordering
BuyLine
BestSeller

We already have existing links with Gardlink.

3. Enhancements to the Windows Version of BookFind-CD:

In April 1995, BookFind-CD was the very first bibliographic information tool to be made available under WINDOWS. As a result of feedback from our customers, we have made a number of changes:

Customising Print-Outs
Our users now have more control over their print-outs.
Pre-saved output formats
The number of output formats has increased since April 1995.

4. API (Applications Programming Interface):

This enables other software to access data on BookFind-CD without using our search screens. Most developers working with this feature are bookshop systems, but we expect wide interest from library systems suppliers.

Future Developments:

1. Currency Conversion:

This will be available on BookFind-CD in autumn 1996. The conversion will be from the UK currency only.

2. Further performance improvements in WINDOWS:

In particular, search screens will be simplified, to further enhance the use of BookFind-CD.

3. Reworking of the MARC Processor to include US MARC:

US MARC will be included on the MS DOS version of BookFind-CD, and we plan to incorporate MARC outputs into WINDOWS.

Summary:

I appreciate having had this opportunity to tell you about BookFind-CD, and to let you know about past and future developments.

If you would like a demonstration of BookFind-CD, please come and see me at the Albertina Icome Praha stand: number L510 I would like to thank Albertina Icome Praha for their help, and thank you all for listening.

Zpatky do INFOMEDIA 96.