Avoids Duplication Of Cataloguing Effort The copy cataloguing feature of the database reduces the need to create original cataloguing which is time consuming. This leads to a more economic use of professional manpower. Avoids Duplication Of Subscription To External Records Since the network team looks into the maintenance and sources of bibliographic records, there is no need for individual libraries to purchase these external records. Facilitates Inter-Library Loan Those bibliographic records with library holdings (i.e., the National Union Catalogue) facilitate inter-library loans among member libraries. The National Union Catalogue (NUC) is often used by reference librarians to refer their clients to the libraries which have a copy of the item. Optimises The Use Of Computer And Manpower Resources Sharing a network like SILAS helps to diffuse the cost of automation. Members of the participating libraries share the SILAS database which is maintained by NLB using the CARL System. The use of SILAS for cataloguing helps to process library materials quickly, allowing staff to do other meaningful tasks such as indexing and abstracting. Enhances The National Information Infrastructure The contribution from SILAS participants to the database has in one way helped in the development of a national information infrastructure. Being a national bibliographic database serving libraries on a national scale, it indirectly helps to achieve the objective of turning Singapore into a ‘one-stop-non-stop information centre’. home | sitemap | contact us | SILASweb © Copyright 2000 SILAS.