Library Technology Guides

Any library contracting for the installation of an automated library system will need to follow its vendor's specifications for the preparation of a site to house the central processing unit and associated peripherals. However, libraries engaged in remodeling or new constructions are often concerned to more precisely estimate their future requirements for housing an automated library system months, if not years, in advance of the procurement of a system. In addition to contacting other libraries of similar size and inspecting their facilities, the more specific detail which follows may be of assistance in such planning. The requirements presented represent the current state of the art in library automation, a state which will no doubt change over the next several years.

SPACE REQUIREMENTS First, estimate the number of CPUs to be accommodated together with the likely number of consoles with printers, the number of disk drives, line printers and magnetic tape drives. The exact number of each will depend on the sizes of the devices supplied by the vendor. Electrical and air conditioning requirements vary more than space requirements. Staff and storage space also need to be considered.

If a multiprocessor-based system is likely to be used, these usually consist of one or more data base processors linked with one or more terminal processors. Each processor has its own disk drives and shares a console. The entire system is served by one or more high- speed printer and at least one magnetic tape drive. Storage cabinets must be provided within the control room for disk packs and magnetic tapes.

In a situation with a number of remote terminals linked to the central site, rack-mounted multiplexors may be required to accommodate telecommunications linkages for the remote terminals-usually one multiplexor for each eight terminals. Each multiplexor will have a separate telephone line coming into it.

A telephone should be available for the system operator to talk with the vendor's service personnel.

Additional storage will be required outside the computer room for supplies, back-up disk packs, and shipping cartons.

Hardware. The following dimensions are based upon Digital Equipment Corporation hardware, that which is most commonly used in library applications. Dimensions are rounded upward.

• Processors (each):
  Width; 2 ft.
  Height: 3 ft. 6 in.
  Depth: 2 ft. 6 in.
  Weight: 450 lbs.
• Consoles (each, including stand);
  Width: 2 ft. 2 in.
  Height: 3 ft. 2 in
  Depth: 3 ft.
  weight: 700 lbs.
• Disk Drives (each, 300 MB size):
  Width: 2 ft.
  Height: 3 ft.
  Depth; 3 ft.
  Weight: 300 lbs.
• Printers (each):
  Width: 2 ft. 9 in.
  Height: 3 ft. 9 in.
  Depth: 2 ft. 2 in.
  weight: 370 lbs.
• Magnetic Tape Drives (each):
  Width: 1 ft. 10 in.
  Height; 3 ft. 6 in.
  Depth; 2 ft. 6 in.

Free Space. For each piece of equipment, free space should be provided to allow for air flow and maintenance. Free space requirements are:

Front of unit: 5 ft. free space
Rear of unit: 4 ft. free space

Units except for printers may be placed such that they abut other systems components (i.e., no free space at the sides), as long as specified free space is provided at the front and rear. Abutting the units increases the air conditioning requirement because more heat will have to be dissipated within each 100 square feet of space.

Disk Packs. For each data base disk drive there are usually five disks: one 'run" disk, and four backup disks. Each terminal processor disk drive has only a run disk. There are usually up to two additional disks for use by the vendor's service personnel.

The run disks are housed in the disk drives during normal operations. One set of backup disks must be stored in a remote location separate from the building to safeguard the data base in the event of a disaster. The other three sets of backup disks may be stored in the computer room.

The disks must be stored flat side down and may not be stacked. They must be stored in a dust-free environment. Disk storage cabinets may be made to order or may be purchased from a data processing supply vendor. Tightly- constructed standard metal cabinets with adjustable shelves may also be used.

Disk pack dimensions (each, 300MB size)
Diameter; 1 ft. 3 in.
Depth: 7 in.
Weight; 20 lbs.

Paper Supplies. Paper, ribbons, and other supplies may be stored outside of the computer room. Regular metal supply cabinets may be used. The quantity of supplies to be stored will depend upon the size of the library's operations and the quantities it wishes to have on hand. A library may wish to store more than a six month supply of certain items (e.g., specially printed continuous forms) to save money.

Shipping Cartons. A limited number of the cartons in which the system was shipped should be retained in case it is necessary to reship any of the components for repair or replacement. The carton should be stored outside of the computer room.

1 carton 2 ft. 6 in. x 3 ft. 6 in. x
4 ft. 2 in. @ processor
1 carton 1 ft. 11 in. x 1 ft. 2 in. x
2 ft. 3 in. @ console
1 carton 2 ft. x 1 ft. x 2 ft. 4 in. @ console stand
1 carton 3 ft. 4 in. x 2 ft. 2 in. x
3 ft. 9 in. @ disk drive
1 carton 1 ft. 9 in. x 1 ft. 9 in. x
11 in. @ disk
1 carton 3 ft. x 2 ft. 3 in. x 5 ft. @ printer
1 carton 2 ft. 6 in. x 1 ft. 9 in. x
11 in. @ tape drive component
1 carton 2 ft. 6 in. x 2 ft. x 2 ft.
8 in. @ tape drive component
1 carton 2 ft. 6 in. x 1 ft. 10 in. x 5 ft. @ tape drive component
1 cartons 2 ft. 4 in. x 1 ft. 10 in. x 1 ft. 6 in. @ multiplexor
1 cartons 1 ft. 6 in. x 1 ft. 1 in. x 8 in. @ terminal

Documentation
4 - 3 in. binders containing user instructions
6 - 3 in. binders for hardware documentation for use by vendor field service personnel

ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS

Processors (each):

One single phase, 3-wire, dedicated line with isolated ground, 60 HZ, 20 AMP, 12 gauge, 120 volt (+6, -10). The power line must end no further than 10 feet (300 cm) from the center rear of the processor. Extension cords are not allowed. The vendor normally provides one -NEMA 5 -2OR receptacle (Hubbell 105362 or equivalent).

Console (each):

A console is normally placed within 7 feet of its processor and is plugged into the unit, drawing its power from the processor. It does not require a separate power line.

Disk Drives (each);

One single phase, 3-wire, dedicated line with isolated ground, 60 HZ, 20 AMP, 10 gauge, 208 volt (+14.6, -29). One NEMA L6 -20R receptacle (Hubbell 2320 or equivalent).

The power line must end no further than 7 feet from the rear of the drive. Extension cords are not allowed.

Tape Drive:

One single-phase, 3-wire, dedicated line with isolated ground, 60 HZ, 20 AMp, 12 gauge, 120 volt (+6, -10). One -NEMA 5 -20R receptacle (Hubbell 105362 or eguivalent).

The magnetic tape unit's power cord is 7 feet (210 cm) long. An extension cord may be used, but must be authorized by the vendor.

Printers (each):

One single-phase, 3-wire, dedicated line with isolated ground, 60 HZ, 20 AMP, 12 gauge, 120 volt (+6, -10). One -NEMA 5 -20R receptacle (Hubbell 105262 or equivalent)., The printer's power cord is 10 feet long. An extension cord may be used, but must be authorized by the vendor. Some states require a subpanel box located in the computer room for emergency power shutoff. Consult local authorities for the regulations in your area.

Terminals:

Electrical requirements far terminals are given in the next section.

In addition, if a library experiences high electrical "noise" and line transience, power line conditioning may be required to maintain constant line voltage with low "noise" and high transience. The most important units to protect are the disk drives. Each 300 MB drive requires a line conditioner rated at 15 KVA.

Finally, each AC power receptacle should be tagged using electrical wire numbering tape to identify the subpanel box and the circuit breaker which controls it.

TERMINAL REQUIREMENTS

When estimating the number of terminals required, the following guidelines address normal, evenly distributed work- loads. In specific situations these estimates will need to be adjusted for local conditions of workflow and staff scheduling. Normally libraries should allow one terminal for each 100,000 circulations or significant fraction thereof, one for each 100 patrons coming into the building in the course of a day (for patron access catalog), one for each 10,000 monographic . items ordered each year (for acquisitions), and one for each 10,000 serial subscriptions (for serial control). Requirements also vary with the type of terminal chosen. This description, therefore, addresses the most common terminal choice.

The keyboard/display terminal may be either local or remote. A local terminal is located less than 750 feet from the control room and communicates with the system via data cables. A remote terminal is located over 750 feet from the system and usually communicates with the system over regular telephone lines.

Typically, terminal dimensions are:

Width: 1 ft. 4 in.
Height: 1 ft. 2 in.
Depth: 2 ft. 8 in.

Terminals should be installed with one foot of free space at the rear of the terminal for proper air flow. At least a four square foot surface area of workspace should be provided around each terminal for the preparation of books and other materials and for making notes.

Electrical requirements for terminals are the provision of one single-phase, 3- wire, dedicated line with isolated ground, 60 HZ, 20 AMP, 12 gauge, 120 volt (+6, -10) for every four terminals. One -NEMA 5 -20R receptacle (Hubbell 105252 or equivalent) for every terminal. The terminal's power cord is 4 feet long. Extension cords may be used, but must be authorized by the vendor.

A library is usually responsible for supplying and installing the data cable for terminals. It is normally 4- conductor, shielded cable Belden 8723 (or equivalent). For local terminals, the length of the cable should be the distance between the system and the terminal, plus an additional 7 feet at each end. For remote terminals, the length of the cable should be the distance between the terminal and the telephone jack, plus an additional 7 feet at each end. Splices and multiconnector hookups are not permitted, nor can the data cable be pulled through the same conduit as the electrical wiring. The vendor provides and installs the hooded connectors at each end of the cable for hookup.

To enable remote terminals to communicate it is necessary to have a voice grade, 2-wire, half-duplex, Series 3002 line for each terminal. It is important to note that some terminals require a voice grade 4-wire, full-duplex line. Lines should, therefore, not be pulled until the terminal selection has been made.

For each remote terminal telephone line, the telephone company will need to install demarcation blocks (type 42A) at the end of the telephone line, no more than 7 feet from the system and from the remote terminal. The telephone company must label both the transmit wire and the receive wire at the demarcation blocks.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

Multiplexors. Libraries frequently use multiplexors to reduce the cost of telecommunication with remote terminals. These requirements vary a great deal depending on the number of terminals which share a multiplexor. The following represent the requirements for the most common multiplexor type.

Multiplexors are rack-mounted. Each eight units-each serving two to eight terminals-will require the following:

width: 1 ft. 10 in.
Height: 5 ft. 6 in.
Depth: 1 ft. 8 in.

Each multiplexor requires the installation of a 4-wire, dedicated line, Series 3002, full-duplex line. The electrical requirements for each multiplexor are one single- phase, 3-wire, dedicated line with isolated ground, 60 HZ, 20 AMP, 12 gauge, 120 volt (+6, -10).

Other Telephone Requirements. A voice- grade, nondedicated, direct line telephone with a long cord should be installed adjacent to the console of a data base processor. Consult with the local telephone company for the types of equipment that are available for a high noise area.

The installation of new telephone lines frequently requires electrical considerations. Consult with your local telephone company to ensure that you meet its requirements.

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The following environmental conditions must be maintained for most systems:

Humidity: 40% to 60% non-condensing. Rate of change must not exceed 2% per hour. Temperature:

65 to 75 degrees F (18 to 21 degrees C). Variance in temperature must not exceed 3.6 degrees F (2 degrees C) per hour.

BTU Output:

Processor - 2,500 BTUs per hour. 300 MB
Drive - 4,200 BTUs per hour.
Console - 823 BTUs per hour.
Printer - 2,335 BTUs per hour.
Mag Tape
Unit - 1,092 BTUs per hour
Per Person- 300 BTUs per hour.

Air Flow:

The air flow rate for a system depends on a combination of specific equipment and room size. It is, therefore, necessary to oversize the air handling system when the exact combination of equipment and room is not known in advance. If equipment is placed side byside without the recommended air space between units, BTU output for each piece of equipment should be increased by 50%.

The air conditioning system must provide filtering to reduce dust and other particle matter as much as possible. If salt air, corrosive gases, or other air pollutants are present, special filtering arrangements may be required and an air conditioning consultant should be contacted.

If the system is to he operated unattended for more than a few minutes at a time, the installation of automatic high-temperature power shut-off controls and/or remote high-temperature alarms should be provided in an attended location to forestall damage to the computer system in the event of air conditioning failure.

It may be desirable to arrange the air conditioning system so that it can provide ventilating air (though not necessarily cooled air) in emergency circumstances to facilitate fire fighting. Consult with local fire protection authorities for advice. The air conditioning systems should be provided with a central shut-off switch to facilitate emergency system shutdown.

For efficient cooling, a minimum clearance of 30 inches above the top of equipment cabinets is recommended.

Protection Against Static Conditions. If the library is prone to static conditions, the following is a list of precautions that may be taken to reduce the problem.

• Maintain proper humidity.
• Place each major component of the system on a non-porous, anti- static mat. Do not place the system on a carpet.
• Do not use floor wax, if the equipment is placed on a tile floor.
• Use only wooden chairs.

RECEIVING AREA REQUIREMENTS

The receiving area should be adequate to handle the delivery of the system. The receiving area should be at truck loading height and should have adequate space in which to store the system until installation personnel arrive. Hallways, doorways, and elevators should be wide enough to move the system from the receiving area to its installation site.

FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENT

Although typical library minicomputer installations have not provided fire protection beyond the hand-controlled fire extinguishers provided in computer rooms, in very large and complex installations a library may wish to consider procuring a HALON fire protection system in recognition of the sensitivity of the data, the size of the hardware configuration, and the likelihood of unattended system operation. The HALON system should provide a warning tone and a time delay before the chemical is released, so that staff may operate a manual system override in case the system is accidentally activated.