Search

The catalogues of the Portuguese public libraries participating in the Network of National Public Libraries are analyzed in order to assess their proximity or remoteness in relation to the new catalog model designated by catalog 2.0 or Next Generation Catalog. The results of this analysis suggest that the catalogs of these libraries are still far away from implementing a new catalog model. Verifies the existence of some cases that already incorporate some new features, but, somehow within the previous paradigm. It is also noted that the libraries do not seem to distinguish clearly the various functions that the catalog must play and blend, so for the public interfaces, solutions not intended this audience and that are far to respond to their interests, needs and skills. The diversity and complexity of options, especially on crucial aspects such as types of search and indexes make the task very complicated to the user. The language used to designate the various options does not contribute too, in many cases, to clarify the user. Finally, it seems clear that libraries ignore the diversity of audiences to which it shall address in particular the juvenile audience, given that it is almost non-existent any catalog solution for this type of public.