Personal bibliographic systems (PBS) for the PC: A generic survey of features

Journal/Book: Electron Libr. 1997; 15: Woodside, Hinksey Hill, Oxford, England OX1 5AU. Learned Information Ltd. 31-46.

Abstract: Personal bibliographic systems (PBS) manage the input storage, retrieval and output of bibliographic references, allowing for a number of different document types to accommodate for journal articles books, book chapters, dissertations, reports, unpublished documents, etc. Unlike general purpose database management packages they are made to measure for bibliographic information, featuring amongst other things a variety of import profiles for records downloaded from the major commercial databases and automatic generation of dozens of different output styles, including those used by the most popular journals. This paper concentrates on low-cost mainstream bibliographic software for personal use of smaller libraries. Full-scale integrated library automation systems and online public access catalogue (OPAC) software, which specialise in finding a specific title within a vast amount of book-type references are not discussed. This paper does not review or compare individual products but focuses on the various characteristics which, when available, make a PBS attractive. Special attention is paid to structural flexibility, retrieval options, input, display and output formats, and interface- and management-related issues. A product-independent table of desirable features is included as an appendix.

Note: Article Schoonbaert D, Inst Trop Med Prince Leopold, Natl Str 155, B-2000 Antwerp, BELGIUM

Keyword(s): INFORMATION-STORAGE; FORMATTING SOFTWARE; BUYING GUIDE; PROGRAMS

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