LIBRETTO provides for data organisation, data integrity, authority control, input, retrieval and reporting, while the set up of a library is completely governed by what the management wants the system to do. Each module can be incorporated in turn to give LIBRETTO more and more capability. Typical modules are presented below:

The Core

The core module caters for item details to be entered or amended as required using pre-formatted input screens which facilitate use of the catalogue base and associated standards (e.g. AACR II). The system maintains a series of authority files (authors, corporate bodies, subjects, etc.) to enhance data integrity. Retrieval is via a series of user friendly menu options. A variety of material types are catered for with specific material dependent fields. Moreover, the cataloguer can define his/her own material types by using user-defined fields (MARC tags and subfields), as required.

OPAC

The On-Line Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) is a user- friendly and powerful enquiry interface which is very close to natural language. It offers free text retrieval from several bibliographic fields while it includes Boolean logic, truncation and wildcard searching. More specifically, free-text retrieval covers all basic library catalogue details including the Abstract, Title, Subtitle, Publication date, Subject terms, Shelf classification etc. It has been designed to allow inexperienced users to carry out detailed and multiple searches, while offering on-line context-dependent help.

Thesaurus

The thesaurus module allows subject terms to be linked together providing a powerful user interface for conceptual retrieval, as compared to the traditional lexical retrieval. The subject retrieval vocabulary can be tailored to meet the user's requirements. The system supports several relationships, such as BT (Broad Term), NT (Narrow Term), RT (Related Term), USE, UF (Use For), ET (Equivalent Term), etc., while it generates and maintains all reciprocal relationships amongst these. The thesaurus can be browsed for ease of use and accessed via OPAC. Note that the thesaurus relationships are processed according to the multilingual thesaurus ISO standard, enabling a non-native language speaker to use the catalogue of the library. For example, if an English-speaking user types the narrow term 'astrophysics' the system will automatically retrieve related Greek records as well as German and French records, etc.

Current Awareness

This module creates and maintains SDI (Selective Dissemination of Information) interest profiles, matching them to recent acquisitions and generating SDI bulletins. Abstracts can also be created and linked to catalogue records. The module provides automatic production and circulation of information bulletins. LIBRETTO can set up triggers, whereby on a regular basis, the system automatically scans the catalogue base when new records are input and sends the results to the user via his/her electronic mail (or any INTERNET e-mail address).

Circulation

This provides total control for issue, return, renewal discharge, reservation and other circulation-dependent operations for library material. The module allows numerous categories of borrowers and user-definable loan periods, while it generates recall and overdue notices automatically. The module also generates bar codes and supports fully bar code input/output functions. It keeps track and maintains relevant data for the production of management information reports containing statistical information on borrower, copy usage, departmental usage, etc.

Acquisitions

The acquisitions module is a full accounting package providing both book and non-book item order processing facilities. The order record is used to create a basic catalogue entry on the central database to be updated at a later stage. All invoicing, requests and claims for missing items are automated tasks. The system caters for multiple suppliers and a range of budgets and cost centres. Financial reports are available to give detailed budgeting information for decision purposes.

Serials

All cataloguing and order processing of periodicals is handled by the serials module including claiming and invoicing. Circulation lists can be produced to provide full monitoring of journals on loan. Complete catalogue details are made available for enquiry under the OPAC module. The module also provides an automatic facility for stock monitoring and binding. Generally, the module takes care of the whole process - placing a subscription, renewal, checking in, claiming, credit notes, binding etc. The system manages complex budget allocation to both suppliers and in-house cost centres.

Import/Export

LIBRETTO offers several different utilities to import/export catalogue records. Apart from the UNIMARC format which is supported fully, the library can define its own local tags and their relationships. Besides, the librarian can define the structure of each of the three component parts of MARC: Leader, Directory and Data fields. This later feature is a unique feature of LIBRETTO.