Library Technology Guides

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Volume 10 Number 09 (September 1990)

Carlyle systems update

Carlyle Systems, Inc., which for the past year has been in reorganization, has announced not only the completion of a new circulation mode, but also the porting of its system to UNIX-based hardware platforms. Carlyle offers both turnkey and software-only library automation systems. Carlyle has also announced the introduction of three financing plans: a Short Term Rental agreement, a Lease-to-Own plan, and phased installation.

The Short Term Rental allows libraries to pay for an automated system out of their operating budget rather than their capital budget. The library can acquire a Carlyle system with no money down and payments can be bundled into the STR agreement, making budgeting for automation that much easier. The Short Term Rental agreement is renewed annually.

The Lease-to-Own plan also allows the library to acquire a system with no money down and a flexible payment structure. This option was designed for libraries that wish to purchase a system, but need to spread the cost over several fiscal years.

The third financing alternative is a phased installation. For example, a library may choose to install the circulation system in the first year, the online catalog in the second year, and the acquisitions and serials modules in the third year. Carlyle's standard terms are 30 percent down at contract signing, 50 percent at the start of installation, and 20 percent at system acceptance. The 30/50/20 payment schedule is applied to each phase of the installation.

[Contact; Carlyle Systems, Inc., 5750 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA 94608; (415) 528-3900.]

CLSI now provides in-house conversion services

CLSI, Inc., has added a conversions services group to its organization, dedicated to delivering complete data base conversion services to libraries. Utilizing a mainframe computer with over six million MARC title records and the official Library of Congress authority files, which are updated weekly, the conversions staff achieves very rapid searching of the master data base for record matching and processing of large data files. The group has developed sophisticated validation and correction procedures for loading the records. These verification routines also facilitate rapid "debugging" of a data base with damaged records or files.

Headed by Marilyn Carney, Manager, Conversion Services, the original four-person staff has had over 40 years experience in planning and implementing bibliographic conversions at The Computer Company, Richmond, Virginia. The group was recently expanded to eight and is currently managing a complete retrospective conversions project from both machine-readable records and shelf cards for a large new CLSI consortium. The conversions group provides authority processing, data base clean-up services, patron record conversions, and item/barcode conversions.

[Contact: CLSI, Inc., 320 Nevada Street, Newtonville, MA 02160; (617) 965-6310.]

DRA announces RISC support

Data Research Associates, Inc., has announced support of the new Digital Equipment Corporation VAX 4000 Model 300 processor, which utilizes three RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) processors to drive storage disks and communications. The technology offers not only better price/performance, but also lower maintenance costs. The VAX 4000 Model 300 is available as a single- or dual-host CPU and operates in an office environment.

Data Research is a member of Digital Equipment Corporation's System Cooperative Marketing Program. Its applications software runs exclusively on Digital hardware. The Data Research automation system is currently in use at more than 400 academic, public, and special libraries worldwide.

DRA also has announced that it and the San Diego Data Processing Corporation have signed a contract for the installation of the Data Research automation system at the San Diego Public Library and the San Diego County Library. The software-only installation, a conversion, includes Data Research modules for Public Access, circulation, media booking, acquisitions, and serials control, MARC cataloging, indexing and authority control, Baker & Taylor interface, report writer, and full-text data base search and retrieval. The San Diego Public Library serves a population base of more than a million and has annual circulation of more than 4.5 million. The system comprises the main library and 31 branches.

Finally, DRA has announced that it will have a working prototype of implementation of the NISO Z39.50 standard by Fall 1990. Z39.50 is formally titled "Information Retrieval Service Definition and Protocol Specifications for Library Applications." Adherence to it allows a software application on one computer to query the data base of another computer, even when the two systems are from different vendors and use different hardware. Additionally, the Z39.50 protocol provides for the transfer of data base records identified by a search/retrieval request. Z39.50, a national standard, also provides compliance with the International Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) protocols now in development by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

[Contact: Data Research Associates, Inc., 1270 North Warson Road, St. Louis, MO 63132-1806; (800) 425-0888; in Missouri, (314) 432-1100; Fax (314) 993-8927.]

Dynix announces ten signings

Dynix, Inc., has recently signed con-tracts with five public and five academic libraries. As impressive as the number of signings is the range of hardware platforms selected.

Omaha Public will use a MIPS RC 3260, Parlin-Intersoll Public of Canton (Illinois) will use an IBM RT 125, Red Wing (Minnesota) Public and Missoula Public will use the IBM RS/6000, and Rochester Hills Public will use the IBM RT 135. Wheaton College has selected the DEC System 5400, an Ultrix-based machine. Skidrnore College will use a DEC Series 4000, Calvin College and Seminary will use Prime, and North Harris County College (Texas) will use the school's McDonnell-Douglas system. The City College of San Francisco, with its three branches throughout San Francisco, has chosen DEC RISC as its hardware platform.

[Contact: Dynix, Inc., 151 East 1700 South, Provo, UT 84606; (801) 375-2770; Fax (801) 373-1889.]

Geac developments

Geac Computer Corporation Limited has announced that it has entered into an agreement with Digital Equipment of Canada Limited as a Complementary Solutions Organization (CSO). This relationship will allow Geac to offer its new PICK-based ADVANCE automated library system on Digital's ULTRIX platforms on a worldwide basis.

Geac's ADVANCE automated library system was launched 9 months ago. The available modules include circulation, online patron access catalog, data base maintenance, acquisitions, and serials control. There are over 40 ADVANCE sites around the world. The latest contract is with the city of Sevres, just outside of Paris, France. The Sevres ADVANCE system will feature 15 workstations and a Sanyo/ICON 2000. Sevres is Geac's 15th European sale in the past 10 months. Southern Union State Junior College in Wadley, Alabama, also has selected ADVANCE. The Southern Union system will feature an ICON 2700 and 16 terminals. When completed, the library terminals will also be able to access campus-wide PCs currently on a local area network. Southern Union's libraries serve 3,000 students and faculty members and feature over 75,000 titles. Southern Union is Geac's first community college installation in the Southeast.

Queensland's Griffith University and Geac Computers (Australia) have signed a contract valued at over $500,000 for an upgrade to their University Library system. The upgrade will enable the University Library to incorporate the newly amalgamated Mount Gravatt Campus library (formerly attached to the Brisbane College of Advanced Education [BCAE]) onto the current Library Information System based on the Geac Series 9000 computer. Griffith is using Geac's OPAC, cataloging and circulation modules and is currently testing acquisitions. The upgraded system will be supporting in excess of 130 terminals accessing a data base of over 400,000 bibliographic records. Mount Gravatt's bibliographic data base of more than 100,000 records will be loaded into the Geac data base using magnetic tape conforming to AUSMARC standard for bibliographic record exchange. The upgrade commenced in July and Mount Gravatt is scheduled to switch over from their use of BCAE's AWA/URICA system in January 1991.

Work has begun on ELAN (Essex Libraries Automated Network) --the largest computerized library system in the United Kingdom. Based on a Geac Series 9000 system, ELAN will be comparable to the one used to run New York Public Libraries and will include an Online Public Access Catalog. Over the next 18 months, ELAN aims to link 43 of the 92 public libraries around the country. This will involve the installation of 400 terminals. ELAN plans to extend the system to the remaining, smaller libraries and to encourage local colleges to link in.

Geac also has announced that Miami-Dade County Public Library System has selected Geac's ImagePower system. Image-Power is Geac's new PC-based add-on product for the GLIS Series 8000, Series 9000, and ADVANCE systems. It is an integrated solution for capturing, cataloging and displaying images such as photographs, tables of contents, diagrams, maps, slides and negatives. Images are linked to bibliographic records by adding unique image numbers to a specially defined tag. This allows users to access images using any of the OPC indexes. Miami-Dade's library system, which serves a community of 1.5 million people, is currently automated on a Geac Series 9000. Miami-Dade plans to initially use ImagePower to capture, catalog and link their collection of 17,500 black and white photographs. Once this is completed, additional items such as paintings will be added to the catalog allowing access to their art and photograph collections via the Geac OPAC. Miami-Dade will eventually move toward mastering their collection on CD-ROM for remote distribution.

Finally, Geac has announced that Stephen J. Sadler has been appointed to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Sadler has been with Geac since September 1987 in the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer responsible for Geac's Field Service, Manufacturing, Human Resources, Finance and Accounting.

[Contact: Geac Computer Corporation, 11 Allstate Parkway, Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 9T8; (416) 476-0525; Fax (416) 475-3847.]

Information Dimensions announces text/image retrieval for X windows

Information Dimensions, Inc. (IDI) announced a new image processing module, BASISp1us/DMXRV, for Digital VAX/VMS-based X Window applications of BASISplus, its text information management system (TIMS). BASISplus/DMXRV combines the content-based text retrieval capabilities of BASISp1us with access to images and graphics in one screen view for flexible and easy information manipulation and use.

BASISplus/DMXRV incorporates hypertext links embedded in BASISplus text files to access images stored in external files. A list of these images is displayed on the user's X Window workstation allowing selection of any reference in the queue and display of the associated images one-by-one in multiple windows. Examples of applications include technical reports, personnel files, litigation support, maintenance manuals, photo archives, patent and trademark catalogs, regulatory reports, policies and procedures, product directories and document archives.

By combining access to images and graphics with the content-based text retrieval capabilities of BASISplus, organizations can create enterprise-wide "smart" image processing systems. BASISp1us/DMXRV complies with Digital Compound Document Architecture (CDA) and Digital Document Interchange Format (DDIF) standards allowing images and graphics created using these standards to be accessed from BASISplus text data bases.

BASISplus runs on all major hardware platforms including Digital's VAX/VMS. First copy license cost is $5,000 to $179,000 for BASISplus and $500 to $7,500 for BASISplus/DMXRV depending on CPU size and number of users.

Information Dimensions, Inc., is a subsidiary of Battelle Memorial Institute.

[Contact: Information Dimensions, Inc., 655 Metro Place South, Dublin, OH 43017-1396; (800) 328-2648.]

Inlex expands diacritics capability

INLEX, Inc., has announced that it can support diacritic requirements for 15 languages using any one of several different Hewlett-Packard terminals and printers. The support is based on the Extended Latin Alphabet Coded Character Set for Bibliographic Use adopted by the American Library Association--also known as NISO Z39.47-1985 or ANSEL Z39.47-1985. Diacritics may be entered or edited with the use of cataloging tools designed for this purpose, and may subsequently be displayed or printed.

The enhancement reflects not only the company's response to the research library community, but also its planned move into the European market. INLEX already has a distributor in Australia. INLEX realized sales of $12 million in 1989, with approximately one-third of the revenue coming directly to INLEX and the rest to Hewlett-Packard. There are 90 installations.

[Contact: INLEX, Inc., One Lower Ragsdale Drive, Building 1, Suite 200, Monterey, CA 93940; (408) 646-8600; Fax (408) 646-0651.]

Franklin Institute implements museum information network

The Franklin Institute Science Museum has received support from Unisys Corporation to design and implement the Museum's new, state-of-the-art interactive computerized information system. The system is located in the Futures Center, a 90,000 square-foot addition to the Franklin Institute containing eight permanent exhibits on future science and technology, and will be installed in the Science Center in December 1990.

The Franklin Institute's objectives for the new system are the creation of a network tying together the museum's multiple exhibit floors and capable of expanding to meet growing needs; the deployment of easy-to-use workstations that provide simple access to information, in multiple levels of complexity, to address the needs of children and adults, casual visitors and teachers using the museum as a class; and the availability of powerful applications to control critical network operations.

This unified computer information system is called Unisystem. Its core is a two-tier, 10 megabit per second, IEEE 802.3 compatible local area network driven by six Unisys U 6000 Series minicomputers running the Unisys implementation of AT&T's UNIX System V.

Franklin Institute visitors access Unisystem through more than 40 MS-DOS based Unisys Personal Workstation2 (PW2) 300/10 PCs. Each station runs graphics applications developed by Franklin's staff and residing on the U 6000 servers. These applications present information on specific exhibits, as well as general visitor information. The presentations combine text and graphic images, light sequence control and touch screen access for the visitor's ease of use. Once the user has gone through the menus, the system takes them through either a short overview or a detailed explanation of the topic of interest. The information is presented at the level most understandable to the individual user.

The interface between the user and the system in each workstation is provided by a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) touch screen. The Surface Acoustic Waves exist in the screen medium. When the user touches a SAW touchstone, the finger touching the screen absorbs the SAW energy, creating an absence of energy that is detected, processed and converted into symbolic information by the system.

A barcode reader, industrial controller (relay box), and Ethernet interface complete the workstation configuration. The barcode reader uniquely identifies the visitor so that printouts from interactive exercises can be provided when the visitor exits the museum. The industrial controller coordinates light shows through energizing relays at the right time. The Ethernet interface allows timely uploading of graphics applications from the U 6000 server to the workstation.

Each museum visitor will receive a Unisystem barcoded card that can be personalized. Information about visitors' interests, education or age will help Unisystem answer questions at an appropriate level. Computer stations in 20 exhibit areas in the Future and Science Centers will allow an interested user to explore a scientific principle or hands-on device in depth. For example, a visitor whose imagination is piqued by a model space station in Future Space can be directed to learn more about gravity in mechanics and discover the enormous energy of our sun at a demonstration of the solar collector in the observatory. Unisystem will help the Franklin Institute provide more fully integrated science education experience by emphasizing the unifying themes and educational goals of the exhibition areas.

[Contact: Unisys Corporation, P.O. Box 500, Blue Bell, PA 19424-0001 (215) 986-2867.]

Faxon transmits data using ANSI X12 standards

The Faxon Company announced that it successfully transmitted changes of subscriber addresses to the Royal Society of Chemistry in Cambridge, England, in a standard ANSI Xl2 communications session. X12 is the parent body for EDI standards used in North America and much of the rest of the world. This marks the first time anywhere in the serials publishing community that standard Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) has been used. Transmitting such documents with standard EDI will eliminate postal delays, greatly reduce clerical involvement in the process, ensure system to system data transfer, and permit the publishers and vendors to serve libraries more cost-effectively. The Royal Society of Chemistry is one of six publishers who have joined Faxon in exchanging four sets of documents in ANSI X12. The other publishers in the Faxon pilot project are: Kluwer, Pergamon, the National Research Council of Canada, John Wiley, and Plenum. The other documents to be exchanged are claims, claims responses, and cancellations. Additional documents are under development for mapping and transmission in ANSI X12, and Faxon is planning to offer this state-of-the-art service to other publishers.

This accomplishment follows a preliminary statement of direction on ANSI X12 by Paul Evan Peters, the Chairman of NISO, at a meeting of the Serials Industry Systems Advisory Committee (SISAC) , last June. At the meeting, Peters indicated it is likely that NISO will migrate all current and draft library materials acquisitions EDI standards to ANSI X12. This will mean the recasting of the NISO standards for monographic and serials orders, claims and cancellations, as well as dispatch data.

[Contact: The Faxon Company, 15 Southwest Park, Westwood, MA 02090; (617) 329-3350; Fax (617) 329-9875.]

Le Pac and circulation

Henrico Public Library (Richmond, Virginia) has interfaced its Brodart Le Pac CD-ROM catalog with its automated circulation system, one based on the Pueblo Library software. Approximately one-third of the Memorex Telex workstations have been outfitted with an emulation board and STEP (Sperry Terminal Emulation Package) software. Cabling was put in place to enable all staff workstations and a sampling of public workstations the capacity of toggling immediately from Le Pac to the online circulation/reserve system which has operated on a Unisys System 80 Model 20 mainframe at the County's Data Processing Center since 1985. Staff enjoy the benefits of searching any one of the library's 200,000 titles on Le Pac, and then with a mere Alternate/Escape command, location and availability of the item can be determined from the circulation data base, and a reserve can be entered when this is desired.

The County of Henrico Public Library currently has 49 Le Pac units divided among 10 locations, and plans to order 8 more.

[Contact: Brodart Automation, 500 Arch Street, Williamsport, PA 17701; (717) 326-2461; Fax (717) 326-6769; or County of Henrico Public Library, Mildred Finch, Richmond, VA; (804) 222-1643.]

Best reduces UPS prices

Best Power Technology, a leading manufacturer of uninterruptible power supplies, has announced price reductions of as much as 35 percent. Prices on the models most often required by libraries are now $1,695 for 1.15 KVA, $2,995 for 2.1 KVA, $3,695 for 3.1 KVA, $4,295 for 4.3 KVA, $6,195 for 7 KVA, and $10,375 for 12.5 KVA. All prices include batteries.

[Contact: Best Power Technology, Inc., P.O. Box 280, Necedah, WI 54646; (800) 356-5794.]

OCLC to provide Z39.50 software to Canada

OCLC has developed software based on Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) protocol for information retrieval (NISO Z9.50) and has agreed to provide the software to the National Library of Canada (NLC). NLC plans to test the feasibility of using the software to provide intersystem access to union catalogs to support interlibrary lending. The OCLC-developed Z39.50software is also being made aailable to the University of California and the University of Pennsylvania.

[Contact: OCLC, 6565 Frantz Road, Dublin, OH 43017-0702; (516) 764-6000.]

Leave it on!

Turning a computer off at the end of the day--PC, supermicro or mini--isn't always the right thing to do. Computers don't have moving parts other than the disk drives and printer that are subject to wear and tear. This means constantly leaving a computer on won't wear it out. However, a computer can be damaged by a fluctuation in the amount of electrical charge flowing through it. Turning a computer on and off creates a significant change in current flow, which, over time, can erode the computer's circuits. As long as a computer is plugged into a good surge protector, it may be left on--even overnight and during weekends. To avoid images being burned into the screens, turn the screens down or off. Most newer screens have been designed to protect against such an occurrence by automatically turning off when the terminal or PC has not been used for a period of time.

IBM PS/2 selling well

The top selling PC in the latter half of 1989 was the IBM P5/2 Model 55 SX says Computer Intelligence, a market research firm. IBM's Model 30-286 and Model 50 followed. Apple Macintosh SE and Compaq's Deskpro 386s rounded out the top five.

INSPEC still pending

One of the most eagerly awaited CD-ROM products is INSPEC, an index and full-ext data base containing information in all areas of physics, electrical engineering, electronics and computers. It covers not only journals, but conference proceedings published since the start of 1988. IEEE Standards also are included. Positive feedback from twelve beta test sites resulted in a three-way agreement among the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the British Institution of Electrical Engineers (producers of the INSPEC data base) and University Microfilms International. INSPEC is similar to the UMI BPO--Business Periodicals Ondisc. The user enters a search, which can be a single word, a phrase or keywords in a Boolean search statement. Retrieval is displayed as a list of titles. Clicking on a title brings up a full citations with abstract from the INSPEC data base. The user then has the option of displaying the entire article, which ay reside on another disk--there are 30 to date. The user is prompted to insert the correct disk and a page image is displayed on the screen. The user can enlarge the image, page through the document or print the article on a laser printer. The printed copy is virtually identical to a photocopy made from the journal; all information--equations, line drawings, graphs, even photographs--is right there.

The contracts have not yet been signed, nor have prices been set, but the product is expected to be available in late 1990.

[Contact: University Microfilms, Inc., 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106; (313) 761-4700.]

Consultant list published

Library Administration and Management Association (LANA), a division of the ALA, has announced the publication of Library Management Consultants List. Copies may be ordered through the ALA Order Department for $15 ($12 for LAMA members) The Library Management Consultants List includes only the names of individuals who met the criteria established by the Executive Committee of LAMA's Library Organization and Management Section. Inclusion does not constitute or imply endorsement or certification by ALA, LAMA, or LOMS. The list includes consultants in these areas of library management: automation, finance, governance, organization, organizational development, planning, risk management and statistics.

Library Management Consultants List joins two other LAMA consultant lists, the Library Buildings Consultants List and the Library Personnel Consultants List.

Contact: LANA, ALA, 50 E. Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611; (312) 944-6780.]

Legal services on CD-ROM

Following the acquisition of Martindale--Hubbell, Inc., by Bowker's parent company Reed International, Bowker will distribute the new electronic edition of the legal directory: The Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory on CD-ROM. It not only details the professional background of hundreds of thousands of attorneys and tens of thou-sands of law offices, it also rates entrants professionally and ethically. An annual subscription lists for $1,495.

[Contact: Bowker Electronic Publishing, 245 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011; (212) 337-7187.]

ASIS scheduled

The 53rd ASIS Annual Meeting will be held November 4-8, 1990, at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in Toronto. The meeting will be jointly sponsored with the Canadian Association of Information Science. The theme will be "Information Technology in the Year 2000: From Research to Applications." There will be more than 65 program sessions.

The registration fee is US$295 for ASIS members and US$430 for non-members, with prices increasing by $25 after Oct. 1.

[Contact: ASIS Annual Meeting, P.O. Box 554, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044- 0554; (301) 495-0900; Fax (301) 495-0810.]

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