The online public access

Several online services related to books have been developing for many years. The various products offered by libraries and bookstores allow patrons and readers not only book search and identification, but also location and ordering through a Minitel or a terminal. The public access to the online catalog differs according to whether it is a municipal or an academic library. Nearly 120 municipal libraries put Minitels or terminals at their readers' disposal, with an average of four inquiry stations by site. Document retrieval is part of a management system already including acquisitions, catalog and loan. Half of the libraries provide an external access through the telephone network (OPSYS or TOBIAS), none by the Télétel network. The OPACs of the academic libraries (less than ten) use Texto or JLB-DOC retrieval softwares and not connected to the management of the local loan. Mainly mapped on the SUNIST with an access through Télétel, they look like specialized databanks.
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