Thank you to those who responded to my request for advice on setting up a
database for tracking reference requests. This is a popular topic, as I got
many requests to post the responses to the list.
The one response that I have followed up on was from Jack Robertson and
Bryan Craig at the Jefferson Library at Monticello. Bryan has developed a
prototype reference question database using FileMaker Pro. He currently has
about 60 records, and the database includes fields for date, topic,
question, answer, note, sources consulted and information on referrals. They
also hope to develop an interface with their OPAC so patrons can enter
queries directly there. Bryan is willing to talk to others who may be
interested in what he's done. His email address is: [log in to unmask]
Other respones:
One person mentioned that at the Northumbria Conference in Pittsburgh last
August, someone from the University of Maryland library did a poster session
on their software for tracking reference questions. She did not remember the
name of the person doing the presentation, but suggested contacting the
library at Maryland.
A Canadian member forwarded a posting from a research assistant at the Dept.
of Foreign Affairs Library (in Canada), who uses a tracking system called
REMEDY. The system, used by the entire Department of Foreign and
International Trade actually sounds quite sophisticated, and from the email,
it looks like a special form was created for the library. It also looks
quite useful for creating statistical reports. If anyone is interested, I
will forward the email to them.
Another person suggested getting someone to design a database (e.g.,
Access), or have someone who knows how to use CGI to design web forms that
would send the entered data to a file somewhere for later analysis. She also
pointed out that there will be a beginning database construction class at
the VRA/ARLIS conference (Workshop #6).
Thanks again to those who responded.
Sharon
Sharon M. Wasserman
Deputy Director of the Library and Research Center
National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-266-2806
[log in to unmask]
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