Considerações sobre o uso do catálogo de obras raras na Biblioteca Nacional: subsídios para viabilizar a automação do catálogo principal e otimizar o atendimento ao público local e a outras bibliotecas

Abstract

A brief history of the National Library of Brazil is presented as well as some issues related to rare books collections in the country. A study on the development of catalogs and cataloging including catalog use - based on national and international approaches - pinpoints major findings to back the research. The work also contemplates users’ study identifying traits and trends aiming to collect meaningful data for automation and service betterment purposes. At the same time, a questionnaire was sent to other rare books collections in the country in otherto assess their actual situation The results of the study showed that the way cataloging has been done in the last 8 years is extremely detailed, and may not attend the users needs. Recommendations were made in order not only to simplify itfor automation purposes, but also to attend these needs. For other rare books collections in the country, recommendations were made in other to improve their organization and services, with the National Library consulting.