The use of AJAX in searching a bibliographic database -: A case study of the Italian Biblioteche oggi database

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe the use of AJAX for searching the Biblioteche Oggi database of bibliographic records. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is a demonstration of how bibliographic database single page interfaces allow the implementation of more user-friendly features for social and collaborative tasks. Findings - AJAX is an important technique in Web 2.0. It allows the development of rich internet applications that use only one web page. Using AJAX it is possible to improve a bibliographic database's user interface. Thanks to this technology, bibliographic applications will be more flexible for updating and formatting information, simpler in managing session history, and easier for saving data modified by users. Usability tests demonstrated that users have appreciated the new interface, but accessibility remains a problem. Originality/value - The paper highlights the use of a Web 2.0 tool for a relevant application in the library/information world.