Abstract:

The study aims to evaluate the functionality, usability and MARC support of
the Catalog Module of the Columbia Library System version 2.08 in the
context of the cataloguing automation needs of the National Agricultural
Library in Uganda. The System is produced by Columbia Computing
Services in Canada. The investigation is conducted in a simulated library environment using live data of the Agricultural Library, on an IBM PS/2
and MS DOS 4.1. Rush methodology of checklist is used to evaluate 38 functional requirements and MARC support while that of Ravden &
Johnson is adapted for usability features. Each feature in all the checklists is
scored against a scale of —1 to 10. Subsequently a cumulative score for the
CLS designated as ‘S2’ and the ideal system as ‘Si’ is worked out. From these scores a performance ratio for functionality, usability and critical
functions is calculated. Then each performance ratio is compared against
the arbitrary score of 0.6 (Rush 1985, p.124). The findings indicate that the
overall system performance ratio of (0.73) is well above the arbitrary level.
The functionality scored (0.70), critical functions (0.77) and usability (0.73). The analysis of MARC interface showed that it supports all the essential and critical cataloguing data elements. It is against this background that the
Researcher states with confidence that the system can effectively meet the
cataloguing automation needs of the National Agricultural Library in
Uganda. The study has also produced an empirical basis for conducting an
objective evaluation of other online catalogues.