What a Subject Search Interface Can Do

Abstract

K.U.Leuven University Library (Belgium) developed an experimental interface for subject search by UDC in the OPAC. The interface combines the search facilities of a classification with those of a word system, since it enables the end user to search by subject terms and to see these terms in the hierarchy of broader, parallel and more specific terms. This project should be seen as an important indication of the libraryâ s growing concern to present its information sources in a content-structured and user-friendly way. At the same time, it has to be situated in a new policy for knowledge organization, which aims to find a balance between the local and overall needs of a library network. Finally, this project comes at a moment when K.U.Leuven University Library is in full conversion to Aleph 500 software.