Content analysis and comparative evaluation of subject heading access provided by New Zealand public library OPACs for mainstream adult fiction

Abstract

The aim of this project was to assess the levels of subject heading access available for "mainstream adult fiction" via remote access to public library OPACs. The numbers and types of subject headings added to fiction catalogue records were used to compare the levels of subject heading access provided by New Zealand public libraries for international fiction titles, New Zealand fiction titles and Canadian fiction titles. Further analysis was made to compare the levels of access provided by New Zealand public libraries through OPACs with the access that public libraries in Canada provide through OPACs for their patrons.