A comprehensive bibliography database using a microcomputer

A system was implemented using a commercial database management program and a microcomputer for computerising references from journals and other sources. In addition to the citation, the user can enter the address of the institution where the study was carried out, a description of the article and of the work, key words, and an abstract. References are added, edited, searched for, displayed on screen, typed on paper, or sent to a text file, using selection criteria entered by the user. When a search is performed the printout will include the abstract of each paper, similar to that obtained from larger bibliographic services. The computer also writes requests for reprints. This program now holds over 30 000 references and has been in use for over three years. Such a system is beneficial for personal study, for writing books, articles, and theses, and for use by institutions, departments, and small libraries.