-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [ANZMapS] improved language search function in NLA catalogue
Date: Fri, 5 Nov 2010 00:42:47 +0000
From: Brendan Whyte <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
To: AMC <[log in to unmask]>, mapsL <[log in to unmask]>, IAG
list <[log in to unmask]>
Apologies for cross-postings.
http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Search/Advanced
In response to queries from map patrons who want a map of XYZ in language ABC, the "Advanced Search" function in the National Library of Australia catalogue has just been dramatically enhanced.
(and overnight too: kudos to the IT backroom boffins who did this immediately for us).
You can now type the (English) name of the language, or its MARC code, and a list of languages matching the character string you type comes up.
Click on the one you want, select "map" in the format drop down box, then click ‘search’, and you can find all maps in that language.
To search for multilingual material:
- select one of the languages.
- Select a second (etc) language.
- Conduct the search. The search box on the resulting screen whill have automatically used a Boolean "OR" operator on the two languages.
- Change the OR to AND, and click 'search' again.
This is still a little circuitous, but it's much better than what we had before!
Other advantages/features of the new search:
- The list of languages is complete based on MARC codings (the list even includes languages for which the library does not [currently/yet] hold material)
- typing a language name brings up variant languages, e.g. modern or ancient Greek, old, middle, high German etc, next to each other in the list
- the search string works on the Marc code, and any part of the language name, e.g. typing "ott" brings up "Turkish, Ottoman", as well as "Scottish".
- there is even an “undetermined” language for items of unknown or fake languages (e.g. the Voynich manuscript)
This search is useful for finding maps in a particular language, but of course can be used as part of a search for any NLA material.
Note that for all Aboriginal languages, you need to choose "aus - Australian languages"
Dr Brendan Whyte
Assistant Curator of Maps
National Library of Australia
Parkes Place
Parkes
ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA
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