ALIS — The on-line literature localization and document ordering system of the National Technological Library of Denmark

ALIS (Automated Library Information System) comprises a catalogue search system combined with a circulation control system with bar-code readers. The catalogue search part of ALIS makes it possible for the user via VDU's or typewriter terminals to search for literature in DTB's data base using as search criteria author names, keywords in titles, UDC numbers (Universal Decimal Classification System), ISBN, ISSN, CODEN, language codes, year of publication or combinations of these.

In consequence of the combination of the search system and the circulation control system the user may obtain not only the bibliographic records for the retrieved documents but also information about their immediate status (“on shelf”, “on loan”, “on reservation” etc.).

The bibliographic data base of ALIS, with more than 125,000 bibliographic records, is placed at a service centre in Copenhagen (Datacentralen af 1959) and the circulation control part of ALIS is placed in a minicomputer in DTB. The search system is based on STAIRS/CICS, but the minicomputer enables the user to choose between the English STAIRS dialogue and the Danish dialogue with extended commands and ordering facilities.

The system is accessible by direct call or via EURONET, SCANNET or DTH-net (the local university network).