Message-Id: <199602261541.JAA24492@library.wustl.edu> Date: Mon, 26 Feb 1996 08:37:26 -0700 From: Don Baker -- Systems Manager -- Cline Library <mailto:Don.Baker@NAU.EDU> Subject: Re: What is a catalog? -Reply To: Multiple recipients of list WEBCAT-L <mailto:WEBCAT-L@WUVMD.WUSTL.EDU>
>As a user, I don't give a hoot about issues like ownership versus access.
>When I think of a catalog, it's goal directed -- the catalog is just one
>more finding aid that may let me locate an item that meets my needs.
>Consider 2 catalogs I use fairly heavily:
>(1) my library's OPAC
>(2) the Lands End mail order catalog [substitute "Mac Zone" or any other
> mailorder catalog if you prefer]
>I don't see much difference between them, except perhaps that the
>commercial catalog gives generally better service. If I order from
><http://landsend.com/>, I don't care whether the company currently owns
>copies of the item and has them in its warehouse; all I care about is
>delivery time (there's an interaction, of course; most mailorder companies
>these days will deliver your item to you overnight if it's in their own
>inventory, but tell you "two weeks" if it's backordered or shipped direct
>from factory).
>
>Would that ordering a book from my local library's web page were as simple.
If your library was a bookstore and you were willing to pay for the book and the surcharge for overnight shipping you could expect similar service and would have a better analogy going for you. There *is* a difference between these two services, one is free. The free one cannot afford to keep a warehouse of duplicate copies of the item you desire and has to use other free libraries as a source for material not in stock.
If your library is close to you and the OPAC says the book is in, why not drive/bike/walk over there and get the book. It's good exercise, free, and quicker than overnight mail. If there were a Land's End in town would you still pay to have something delivered the next day and then pay to return it when it didn't fit?
God help us when the only way to get books or information is to mail order it.
Meanwhile, back to the topic of WebCats.
Don