Dance on Disc 1997 is the complete catalog of the Dance Collection of the New York Public Library, the world’s leading repository for materials on dance. This CD is the cumulation of the ten volume Dictionary Catalog of the Dance Collection (G.K. Hall, 1974), as well as the supplements published as the annual Bibliographic Guide to Dance. The CD contains two files: a bibliographic file containing 211,000 records listing the holdings of the Dance Collection in all formats and an authority file that contains 1) a thesaurus of 8,000 subject headings with cross references and 2) special notes on the first performances of staged choreographed works. The Billings Classification System is used in the call number field, which is unique to this collection.
CD Searcher 2.1 is included and incorporated as the search engine. There are thirteen Help chapters that the user can call up to aid in searching, manipulating, and customizing the database for local use. An IBM PC‐compatible computer with at least 512 KB RAM and a CD‐ROM drive with MSCDEX 2.0 or higher is required to run this software. Once the user has installed this CD, customization of the start‐up screen, help screen, brief and full displays, and various other aspects can be accomplished for local use and information.
I found this CD easy to use and of immense importance for performing arts libraries, conservatory libraries, dance companies, and any others who would need to have quick and local access to this major collection. Boolean searching and the familiarity of bibliographic database features, make this product a seamless addition to the local OPAC, as it can be run directly from the CD‐ROM drive or can be installed onto the computer. Those libraries with Z39.50 capabilities may want to check to see whether this collection is accessible by that method before buying the product, as the same usability and accessibility would be available for free. (I do not know whether or not the NYPL is accessible via a Z39.50 client). I would highly recommend this product to those who need access to and knowledge of the contents of this important and well‐known collection of dance materials.
