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National Library News |
Brenda Campbell,
Research and Information Services
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Canadian Information by Subject (CIBS), part of the National Library of Canada’s Web service, was the topic of the September 1999 SAVOIR FAIRE session. David Murrell-Wright and Diane Lanthier, both from Acquisitions and Bibliographic Services, provided an overview of the project and a practical demonstration of how to use CIBS.
Mr. Murrell-Wright explained that the main objective of Canadian Information by Subject is to provide links to information about Canada, arranged by subject, from Internet resources worldwide. Since there are over four million Web sites on the Internet, a means of indexing sites which contain significant information on Canada was necessary in order to untangle the Web for Canadian and foreign researchers. The service has grown exponentially since its modest beginning in 1995, increasing from 100 links to over 3 400 by 1999. Approximately 100 new links are added each month. Library science professionals have recognized the superior organization of CIBS; it was cited as an exemplary site for connecting researchers to Canadian information at a recent academic conference. Researchers obviously agree – CIBS is the most frequently visited part of the National Library’s Web service, with an astounding 36 000 visitors per month!
CIBS has several special attributes which separate it from other attempts to link Canadian sites on the Internet. To assist researchers, the bilingual service organizes Web sites containing Canadian information using library science: the Dewey decimal classification system, and alphabetical and title/keyword indexes. Wherever possible, index terms have been used from standard subject headings lists such as Library of Congress Subject Headings and Canadian Subject Headings for English terminology, and Répertoire de vedettes-matière for French terms. Selection criteria, including the quantity and quality of the Canadian content, are applied to Web sites before inclusionThere are frequent automatic verifications to ensure that links are accurate and current, since a large percentage of Web sites disappear annually.
Using a computer and a large-screen monitor, Diane Lanthier thoroughly demonstrated how easily a researcher can utilize the CIBS service to find Canadian information on the Internet. She emphasized the user-friendly instructions and examples for familiarizing researchers with the main features of CIBS. The service includes a subject tree that consists of 10 main branches representative of broad subject areas, which are further subdivided into more-specific branches. The number of links contained in each subject is included at the end of each entry for easy reference. Site names are listed as they appear on the home page and are included in the English or French version, according to the language of the site. Another way of searching CIBS is to use the alphabetical list of subject headings, where currently accessible links are listed in alphabetical order. The third method of accessing links is by title/keyword, when these are known. Ms. Lanthier recommended using the subject tree as the most effective means of locating appropriate information. She noted that there is considerable ongoing site development and that staff are responding to questions and suggestions for additions to the service. Staff also add natural language and develop directional aids whenever possible (e.g., expanding titles or adding qualifiers for listings).
Throughout their presentations, Mr. Murrell-Wright and Ms. Lanthier welcomed questions from the audience of researchers, staff and members of the general public. Major trends and observations noted by the speakers included the rapid expansion of linkages between Web sites, particularly between government sites; an increase of information available on specific subjects; a need to deselect obsolete links in a timely fashion; and a tendency towards selection of authoritative and multi-linked institutional sites. Both concluded that feedback and suggestions from researchers and staff are vital to ensure that CIBS continues to efficiently connect Canadians to the information they seek about Canada.