Sigrid Tollefsen introduces NORDGUIDE, a directory of databases in the Nordic Countries.

NORDGUIDE - A Directory of Databases in the Nordic Countries

In 1984, NORDINFO (The Nordic Council for Scientific Information) initiated the first publication of a directory of Nordic databases, NORDGUIDE. The main purpose of NORDINFO is to promote Nordic cooperation within the field of scientific information and documentation, principally in connection with the research library system. NORDINFO shall also promote Nordic interests in a wider international context.

NORDGUIDE has been available via Internet since 1998. Since 1988 the following national bodies have financed the inventory in each Nordic country: in Denmark, INFOSCAN, in Norway RBT/Riksbibliotektjenesten (National Office for Research Documentation, Academic and Special Libraries), in Sweden Kungliga tekniska högskolan. Biblioteket (Royal Institute of Technology Library), in Iceland Landsbókasafn Íslands - Háskólabókasafn (National and University Library of Iceland) and in Finland VTT Tietopalvelu (VTT Information Service). Each country compiles the relevant databases and VTT in Finland co-ordinates the database. The directory is updated annually as new information becomes available.

The directory covers entries of around 850 databases. The following criteria are applied in selecting a database for the directory:

• it is produced in a Nordic country or is available through a Nordic online service.
• it is searchable.
• it is available online through telecommunication to other networks or direct dialling.
• it is available to the public either direct or by subscription, contract or membership.

Portable databases either on CD-ROM or on diskettes are also included, as well as web databases, mainly those for professional purposes.

NORDGUIDE is divided into three sections: database descriptions, producers and hosts. In the Simple Search interface [1] it is possible to search NORDGUIDE either by individual countries or all Nordic countries at the same time. In addition, a more advanced searching facility is available [2] as illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Advanced Search Interface in NORDGUIDE

The subject terms and the database descriptions are in English, the keywords both in English and in a Nordic language. Producer is the organization which produces the database. Host is the organization which supplies passwords and manuals.

NORDGUIDE is free of charge and easy to use. It is available from [3].

References

1. Simple Search, Nordguide
   URL: <http://otatrip.hut.fi/nordinfo/nordguide/simple.html>
2. Advanced Search, Nordguide
   URL: <http://otatrip.hut.fi/nordinfo/nordguide/search.html>
3. Nordguide
   URL: <http://otatrip.hut.fi/nordinfo/nordguide/>

For citation purposes:
Sigrid Tollefsen, "NORDGUIDE - A Directory of Databases in the Nordic Countries", Exploit Interactive, issue 5, April 2000
URL: <http://www.exploit-lib.org/issue5/nordguide/>

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