Subject Access to OPACs in Korea

우리나라 온라인열람목록의 주제접근 방법

To understand and analyze the variety of the subject access methods of OPACs, telephone interviews were administered to the computerized libraries in Seoul. Data was collected during 4 days in Feb. 1997, and 155 libraries were responded. It was found that 105 libraries are operating OPACs. Among the 105 libraries, almost of all provide classification number and title keyword access, however, only half of them provide subject name access. 18 libraries allow linking/browsing facility between classification number and subject name/keyword. The language of the subject name to oriental books is mainly Korean and that to the Western books is mainly English. LCSH is the major authority list used. 36 libraries, 2/3 of them are special libraries, subject name is assigned by librarian without control. Based on the results, problems and suggestions to enhance subject access capability are presented.