Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2003 07:50:32 -0700 (PDT) From: Atanu Garai <atanu_garai2000@yahoo.com> Dear Sir, The management of CDs depends on various factors.I have seen many libraries having a completely different management system for optical discs.Usually these are stored in seprate protective cases. Intially these CDs are catalogued on simple computer produced print catalogues as their numbers are limited. Still many libraries which have introduced optical disc based services ie reference,document delivery etc and have CD acquiring program have not been implementing any complete document management system for the acquired CDs. Ususally automated bibliogarphic management systems should have the capabilities of capturing the metadata elements unique for CDs.But mnay such systems has not been developed with approprite searching conditions typical for CDs. In situations such as this, computer printed catalogue is usually chosen as effective if the number of CDs available in the library is limited. This is effective because if the number of CDs are within 500! , the total page of the print cataloge is limited enough to be easily xeroxed and circulated to the individual clientle. It is the common practice of our libraies to tear off the accompanying maaterials from the original documents and supply the clients when demand for the same arises. In such cases appropriate instructions should be provided to the users on the availability of such materials and the ordering instruction of the same. But it is recommended that such optical discs(and even magnetic discs such floppies) should be detached off and preserved in separate location for their appropriate maintenance. Various standards are avialbale for thier rightful maintenance as brought out by national and international organizations including ISO,BIS,IFLA,ICA,UNESCO to name a few.To maintain thier recommendartions it is important to shelve them in different storage conditions than print media.This also arises the problems of the management of the same. In any case, it can be suggested for accessioning CDs, a note on the availability of such materials shall be noted in the appropriate register and if possible, a separate register should be maintained. Hope this helps. Regards. Atanu Garai Atanu Garai MLIS Student 2001-03 Department of Library and Information Science University of Calcutta College St.Campus Kolkata 700 073 India Ph(O)+91(0)33 2241 0071/74 (R)+91(0)33 2543 6870 Fax(O)+91(0)33 2241 3222 Email:atanu_garai@hotmail.com OR atanu_garai@indiatimes.com http://profiles.takingitglobal.org/atanu_garai