Improving document access through a X.500 directory facility

The main objective of the X.5OO-DAD project is to design and to implement a Directory Service which will automate the search of a given serial issue within the context of a networked Library. The Service will enable the users of a networked Library (i) to consistently identify and locate the libraries which collect a given serial of interest for them, and (ii) to know the status of the collection (whether it is active or expired, whether the serial issues arrive regularly, etc.). The information held in the Directory, known as the Directory Information Base, will also enable the users to interact with remote libraries in order to request the desired document. User friendly interfaces will be defined and implemented. In addition, the integration of the OSI Directory service with other OSI services (specifically X.400) in supporting user interaction with remote libraries, will be investigated. The project will experiment the Directory Service at several partners libraries.