Library Technology Guides

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Volume 11 Number 02 (February 1991)

Ameritech buys Alice-B

Ameritech Information Systems and Tacoma Public Library have announced the sale of all rights to the Alice-B software to Ameritech.

Alice-B is an integrated, Tandem-based library system designed by the staff of the Tacoma Public Library. Alice-B uses fault-tolerant, nonstop Tandem hardware and PCs as intelligent workstations to meet the circulation, cataloging, and information retrieval needs of library staff and patrons. Alice-B offers both an online public access catalog (OPAC) and an optional linkage to a CD public access catalog (The Library Corporation's Intelligent Catalog).

The user interface combines LOTUS-style point-and-shoot menus with pop-up windows, pull-down menus, option boxes, and hypertext-linked context-sensitive HELP windows, to provide fingertip access to the information. One universal feature of Alice-B is its ability to switch between functions instantly on demand.

Ameritech has not yet announced what its plans are for the wide range of products it has acquired from various sources, including from the former OCLC Local Systems Division.

[Contact: Ameritech Information Systems, 4950 Blazer Memorial Parkway, Dublin, OH 43017-3384; (614) 764-6039; Fax (614) 764-0723.]

CLSI LIBS 100PLUS

CLSI, Inc., demonstrated a new system, the LIBS 100plus, at the midwinter conference of the American Library Association. The LIBS 100plus—a renaming of Release 29—continues CLSI's implementation of the Unix operating system and support for open systems architecture. Automatic pop-up message windows and menu bars guide the user through the system's logical sequence of procedures and facilitate transfers among processes.

The screen-formatting capabilities of the user interface, produce screens with the user-friendly options of PCs. The screens are designed to minimize training needs. The system can be used in both menu and command modes.

The LIBS 100plus uses the Ingress relational data base management system (RDBMS), an integral part of the product's open system architecture. The RDBMS supports automatic data base journalling to protect the integrity of the data base, the most valuable portion of a library's automation investment. The system's fuiifeatured data base design and infrastructure support comprehensive and flexible report generation capabilities with automatic compilation and forms for selecting each report's components.

[Contact: CLSI, Inc., 320 Nevada Street, Newtonvjlle, MA 02165; (617) 965-6310; Fax (617) 969-1928.]

CLSI and Innovative Interfaces cooperate

CLSI, Inc., and Innovative Interfaces Inc., signed an agreement on January 12, 1991, whereby CLSI will offer Innovative's INNOVACQ serials control and acquisitions system. The alliance combines the products of the two companies: CLSI's circulation control system and its public access catalog, CL-CAT, with Innovative's acquisitions and serials control system, INNOVACQ.

INNOVACQ acquisitions and serials control was first introduced in 1981 and has since been installed in over 160 libraries across the United States and Canada. Innovative is committed to continuing independent development and market of the produêt. As part of that commitment, Innovative is about ready to issue its 8th release of INNOVACQ software. Release 8 Highlights include:

1. Libraries will now have the ability to compute percent changes in expenditure patterns between two prime periods, thus generating predictions for future expenditure.
2. In addition INNOVACQ will now be able to produce reports on titles that have not been paid, e.g., serial titles that were not billed in the current year.
3. The Binding Module is being improved to allow for more complex binding slips and to accommodate more complex voiLame and issue numberings.
4. Record keying and updating is being improved to allow macros for the generation of data that goes in variable-length fields: (For example, a macro may be defined for all or part of an imprint field, a series statement, a note to a vendor, etc.) This data can then be input into each record without keying it.
5. The number of automatically-generated claims for orders is being increased to seven.

Installation of Release 8 is planned for this summer.

Presumably the benefit of the agreement for CLSI is meeting contractual requirements for sophisticated acquisitions and serials control capability that CLSI's own product may not be able to deliver for another year or two. For Innovative it may lead to increased revenue and it also could make the company more visible in the public library sector.

Phoenix Public Library, a long-time CLSI customer, has been selected as the site for the first installation of the CLSI/Innovative product, scheduled to begin the first quarter of 1991.

[Contact: CLSI, Inc., 320 Nevada Street, Newtonville, MA 02165; (617) 965-6310; Fax (617) 969-1928.]

DRA's journal citation module

Data Research has announced a new software module—journal citation—that greatly enhances a library's ability to help researchers locate citation information quickly and efficiently. The module connects periodical data bases—such as those available from Information Access Corporation, UMI, and Wilson-—to the library' s serials holdings. When the user locates a citation to a journal article, the system immediately reports whether the library subscribes to that journal, at which branch(es) the journal can be found, and the local call number. Users may place photocopy requests, online, once a citation is located. The holdings are automatically updated as each new issue is checked in through the Data Research Serials module. The holdings of libraries throughout a region may be reported through use of the Data Research Union List of Serials module.

[Contact: Data Research Associates, Inc., Post Office Box 8495, 1276 North Warson Road, St. Louis, MO 63132-1806, Attn: Sales Staff; (314) 432-1100 or (800) 325—0888; Fax (314) 993-8927.]

OCLC to acquire UTLAS

OCLC Online Computer Library Center announced that it and Thomson Canada Limited have signed a letter of intent that, following negotiations, could lead to the acquisition by OCLC of the Utlas International Canada division of Thomson. Thomson Canada Limited is a unit of The Thomson Corporation, a leading newspaper, specialized information, and publishing and leisure travel group operating primarily in North America and the United Kingdom.

Utias International Canada is a shared bibliographic and information network that has been supplying online data base services and related products since 1973. More than 500 institutions, members of consortia and government agencies, representing over 2,500 libraries, maintain their bibliographic data bases through Utlas' facilities.

Since June 1990, Utlas has provided marketing, training, and support for OCLC products and services in Canada. Based in Toronto, Utlas provides computerized bibliographic services primarily to libraries in Canada and Japan.

The letter of intent of November 30, 1990, is subject to the negotiation of a definitive agreement, corporate approvals, and other conditions which are expected to be completed by the end of February 1991. [Contact: OCLC, 6565 Frantz Road, Dublin, OH 43017-0702; Attn: Phil Schieber; (614) 764-6144; Fax (614) 764-6096.]

MAX from OCLC

Subject, keyword, and Booiean access to a variety of data bases will be readily available to library patrons in spring 1991 when OCLC introduces The Maximum Catalog (Max), a menu-interface version of EPIC, its sophisticated online reference system. Max is designed so that students, faculty, and other library patrons can access the 22-million record OCLC Online Union Catalog (OLUC) and the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) with a few simple commands chosen from an easy-to-use menu. Other data bases will be added to Max-in the future.

Patron's using Max will see two types of screen displays for each data base. A preliminary display, for browsing, shows six records at a time, and includes publication date, author, and title for each record. The second display is a record that includes the bibliographic citation, subject, notes, and for the OLUC, library holdings information. Patrons searching the OLUC through Max will first retrieve records from the most recent half of the data bases—-11 million records in all. A few simple keystrokes re-executes the search in the remainder of the 22 million record data base.

Searching expenses for Max are predictable. Libraries purchase a designated block of searches for a fiscal year, and are billed when OCLC receives the order. Fees are on a sliding scale according to the number of searches purchased, with no connect-time charges. (Telecommunication charges are at the library's current rates.) Libraries buy in any combination of blocks of 500 searches; the greater the number of searches purchased, the lower the price per search. If a library does not use all of the searches in a fiscal year, unused searches can carry over to the next year. If a library needs more searches than it originally planned for, additional searches can be purchased at the original per-search price. Librarians also have the option of returning unused searches each June for a refund.

Libraries can initially access Max via OCLC dedicated line, including access via an OCLC Communications Controller which allows asynchronous links to dedicated lines, or via the Internet. Standard dial access will be added in the near future.

Max is available only to OCLC participating libraries that currently qualify for EPIC discount pricing. EPIC discount pricing applies only to OCLC member institutions that contribute to the OLUC. Specifically, these are full members, tape loading members, Major Microforms and CONSER participants, and Selective Users. Discount rates also are offered to library schools.

[Contact: OCLC, 6565 Frantz Road, Dublin, OH 43017-0702; Attn: Phil Schieber; (614) 764-6144; Fax (614) 764-6096.]

GEAC and UMI/Data Courier

Geac Computer Corporation Limited and UMI/Data Courier have agreed to offer Geac's library customers access to Data Courier's data bases. Geac library automation systems currently provide libraries access to its own bibliographic data base. Now, through the same Geac system (GLIS or Advance), libraries can access Data Courier's data bases. Since these data bases are available in MARC format, items can easily be mounted on customers' systems and provide user-friendly access through the existing system.

The mounting of tapes of Data Courier's data bases on a Geac system will allow a library to take full advantage of an in-house system. Unlimited access, fixed annual fees, and simultaneous search capability are the principal benefits.

Data bases available through Data Courier's tape lease program include the complementary business resources ABI/INFORM, which covers 1200 international journals, and “Business Dateline”, which includes full-text articles from 180 regional U.S. and Canadian publications. Newspaper Abstracts and Periodicals Abstracts also will be available. They offer access to 25 newspapers and 450 magazines. Dissertation Abstracts on magnetic tape includes citations to doctoral dissertations and masters theses from 550 universities.

[Contact: Geac Computer Corporation Limited, Markham Corporate Campus, Suite 300, 11 Allstate Parkway, Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 9T8; (416) 475-0525; Fax (416) 475-3847.]

New NOTIS software

NOTIS Systems, Inc., has finalized the features of Release 5.0 of the NOTIS Library Management Software (LMS). Release 5.0 is already in beta test at two NOTIS sites and is to be shipped to all sites in March 1991. (KeyNOTIS users--the NOTIS turnkey solution—receive the same features in Release 1.1 in June 1991.)

The release includes a completely redesigned online public access catalog (OPAC). The new NOTIS OPAC incorporates labeled displays with a wide array of local design options. These can be entered by the library staff on user-friendly menu screens that are updated online in real time. Options include label definition, what data and how much for each label, brief and long views for each MARC record format, spacing, and highlighting.

The new NOTIS OPAC also introduces support for the Common Command Languages (NISO Z39.58) and the USMARC Format for Holdings and Locations.

The release also introduces other features that enhance the user-friendly nature of the software. NOTISMap is a series of menu screens that allow a library staff member to search the data base, create/edit new records, or perform other functions without having to know the command structure or remember any codes. Experienced users have the option of entering commands directly at any time.

The new online system control file also permits library staff to perform most local definition functions by entering values (e.g., OPAC labels, help screen text, circulation calendars, location codes, and names) on menu screens—each of which has its own online help screen. Most of the work formerly performed by computer operations in a data center can now be done by a systems librarian. (The online system control file was introduced with KeyNOTIS Release 1.0 and is already in use at those sites.)

[Contact: NOTIS Systems, Inc., 1007 Church Street, 2nd Floor, Evanston, IL 60201-3622; (708) 866-0150; Fax (708) 866-0178.]

Z39.50 implementation

In a partnership designed to explore the fullest potential of new networking technologies, the University of California

(UC), Data Research (DRA), and Digital Equipment Corporation are developing software to comply with the National Information Standards Organization's (NISO) emerging Z39.50 protocol.

Z39.50 allows a standard method of information transfer among automation systems using different hardware, software, and operating systems. Compliance with Z39.50 is of critical importance to effective participation in automation networks since it offers a means whereby a single system can provide a uniform user interface and means of access to a large number of remote information resources.

Z39.50 was adopted by NISO in 1988, and parallel international standards, ISO 10162/10163, are currently in balloting for Draft International Standard status.

A copy of Z39.50 can be obtained from NISO by contacting Pat Harris at (301) 975-2814.For a summary of Z39.50, contact Carl Grant at Data Research and ask for “Z39.50 in Plain English,” an overview authored by Cliff Lynch of the University of California.

The software and supporting record-transfer formats developed as part of this partnership will ultimately permit the University of California's system-wide MELVYL online catalog and the new Data Research System being installed at UC Davis to create distributed library automation applications across the University's computer communications network.

When developed, the Z39.50 interface will allow the MELVYL online catalog to display materials availability status retrieved from the Data Research/UC Davis circulation data base. In addition, the MELVYL online catalog will be transparently accessible through the Data Research public access catalog installed at the UC Davis General Library.

The project has been made possible by significant grants from Data Research for software and Digital Equipment Corporation for hardware. Development is being undertaken as part of a collaborative effort between the UC Davis General Library and the Division of Library Automation, a unit within the Information Systems and Administrative Services at the University of California office of the President. The UC Davis campus is also providing opportunity funds to support the project.

[Contact: Data Research Associates, Inc., P.O. Box 8495, 1276 North Warson Road, St. Louis, MO 63132-1806, Attn: Sales Staff; (314) 432-1100 or (800) 325-0888; Fax (314) 993-8927.]

CD-ROM in Europe

The big news at International Online in London in mid-December was CD-ROM. More than half of the 150 exhibit booths featured the technology. While U.S. titles represented half of the offerings, there also were significant numbers of German, British, French, and Dutch products.

The emphasis on CD-ROM comes after years of hesitancy about CD-ROM. Roger Bilboal, Chairman of Learned Information Ltd. and' sponsor of International Online, said of CD-ROM: “This business is still more glamorous than its true size warrants.”

John C. Gale of Information Workstation Group echoed Bilboal's disappointment by saying that only 600,000 drives have been sold and half of these are being used for games applications.

The recent growth in the industry in Europe reflects both a European Community push of the technology and the much higher telecommunications costs which prevail throughout Europe.

The total number of CD-ROM titles now available in Europe is 1522, up from 817 last year. The number is greater than the number available in the U.S. More than 58 percent of the titles available in Europe are U.S. imprints, six percent each are

German and British, five percent each are French and Italian, and four percent each are Japanese and Dutch.

Follett's Catalog Plus and MARC

Confusion about the ability of Follett's “Catalog Plus” software to output bibliographic records in a true MARC format appears to have been resolved. In the March-April 1990 issue of Library Technology Reports, Matthews and Williams reported they were unable to export MARC records because of the lack of an export program. In December, Joe Matthews retested the product and determined that he was able to export both MARC and MicroLIF records at his option when following the instructions in the user manual. LTR will carry a revised product review in a future issue.

Long-distance prices stabilizing

Average AT&T long-distance charges have dropped to $.21 per minute as compared with $.20 per minute for MCI and U.S. Sprint, according to a study by Booz, Allen & Hamilton, Inc. The AT&T figure represents an $.08 drop in the past five years in AT&T prices, but only a $.04 drop for the competitors. Price competition appears to be diminishing and great emphasis is being placed on unique features, line quality, and service. Industry analysts expect prices to stay relatively stable for the next few years.

Product announcements at the ALA midwinter conference

Twice a year, at the annual and midwinter meetings of ALA, the automation vendors announce new products and services to stir up interest in the thousands of libraries visiting the exhibits. This year's Midwinter Conference held in Chicago in mid-January was no exception. This issue of LSN describes several product announcements that the Contributing Editor found to be noteworthy.

Marquis debuts at ALA

A new company with a new product had its debut at ALA Midwinter. Marquis is an integrated online package based upon distributed processing and a local area network and employing a graphical user interface. The system currently comprises catalog maintenance, circulation, and online public access catalog with acquisitions and serials control in development. Marquis, owned by the same holding company as Dynix, quietly developed the product over the past 18 months.

Based upon a fully Relational Data Base Management System (RDMS) and employing the client/server architecture, Marquis is scalable from a few to several thousand workstations. Since each workstation may be a multi-tasking machine, the network need not be dedicated to the library application. In fact, it is compatible with thousands of other applications, including both library applications (such as CD-ROM data bases) and non-library applications (such as word processors and graphics packages).

The client/server architecture means the processing power is distributed around the network. The “server” is a full “data base server,” not just a file server. Each “client” workstation requests only what the user wants to work on (usually one record at a time). In response, the “server sends only what was requested. This minimizes network traffic (a bottleneck for most networks) and frees the “server” to respond to other requests while the “client” does all the work of formatting and display. The system is not “down” when one machine is not working; the “data base server” can be “mirrored” so even the loss of a “server” does not cripple the system.

Each workstation in a Marquis network is a multi-tasking computer, meaning that each can be running more than one program at once. This means being able to switch to Catalog Maintenance from Circulation or the Public Access Catalog (provided one has the security clearance) is a mere point-and-click with the mouse or a single keystroke. To a library user in a study carrel at an academic library this means a spreadsheet program may be calculating and a desktop publishing program may be reformatting a document while the user is searching the library data base for just the right bibliographic reference--all on a single workstation.

The graphical user interface (windows, icons, mouse-pointer) is the most striking aspect of the new system. First, it is easy to use: the novice user can take advantage of the most sophisticated features of the system without having to learn any complicated codes or command languages; most things are available with a simple point-and-click. Second, once the user has learned how to use one graphical user interface program, all other such programs are immediately familiar territory. And third, most graphical user interface programs, including Marquis, can exchange data through common interfaces.

Marquis is implemented on Microsoft OS/2. It is compatible with all of the Popular MS-DOS software, and with the growing list of powerful OS/2 applications. Since Marquis uses client/server Architecture based upon the “named pipe” protocol, it is supported by the industry leaders in networks including Microsoft LAN Manager and Novell.

Marquis Relational Database Management system is SQL Server, a product originally developed on DEC VAX equipment for large, transaction-processing applications in a client/server environment. SQL Server is available now on OS/2 machines including IBM P5/2, Compaq Systempro, and other 80386 and 80486-based machines. These will support from one to 50 or more users. But sin( SQL Server is also available for minicomputers such as Sun Microsystems SPARC and Hewlett-Packard's 9000 series machines, the system can grow and as a network can comprise up to several thousand workstations.

Marquis' Online Public Access Catalog (PAC) supports full BOOLEAN keyword searching including “AND”, “OR”, “NOT” and “XOR” (exclusive “or”) in any combination. Keyword indexes may be built on any field or combination of fields in the full MARC record. Marquis PAC also supports fully browsable alphabetical indexes such as titles, authors, subjects, series names, or call numbers. And the authority-controlled fields (authors, subjects, serials names), the alphabetical lists display cross-references (both “See From” and “See Also From” references) in-line and automatically link to the related works.

Reserve requests may be made by PAC users by selecting the item to be reserved and choosing the Reserve Request option on the menu. Users may also review their own list of items on reserve and cancel items they no longer wish to request. These features may be turned off altogether at the library's discretion.

All of the display screens in Marquis PAC are library definable. Search results may be reformatted, sorted, limited, saved and/or printed at any time.

All the searching power of PAC provides access to bibliographic records and authority forms for editing and linking. Any number of bibliographic and authority records may be accessed simultaneously to create cross-references, make global changes, merge authorities, merge bibliographic records, and do copy cataloging. Authority control is automatically invoked as you edit name, subject or series fields. Indexing and de-indexing occurs interactively as you add or modify catalog records.

Original cataloging is made simpler with a full-screen MARC editor and user definable work forms. In addition to standard work forms for each MARC format, any number of custom work forms may be created by the cataloger, named and saved for future use.

Marquis CAT will interface with any bibliographic record service that provides MARC communications format records, and Marquis CAT will output bibliographic records in MARC communications format. The MARC format for authority records also is supported.

Context-sensitive online help is available throughout Marquis CAT. In fact, the description of each tag and subfield is displayed on the screen while the editing is going on. As one adds a tag or a subfield, a list of those that are appropriate for the particular situation is available by clicking the mouse or at the touch of a button.

Marquis Circulation (CRC) provides checkout and checkin using any machine-readable barcode or other unique identifier. Borrowers are identified by wanding a barcode or by entering a name alias or ID number. Renewal is by pointing at the items to be renewed and selecting the Renewal option. Adding a free text note to the borrower record or the item record is simple.

As a borrower barcode is wanded for checkout, the system automatically tests for blocks relating to holds, fines, or special notes and alerts the operator with

an audible alarm and displays the blocks in a separate window. These may be reviewed and resolved on the spot or overridden by an operator with appropriate security clearance.

Hold requests may be made in PAC by users. Library personnel have additional options to review, shuffle, or delete requests in the queues. When requested items are checked in, the system automatically detects the existence of requests, places the items on hold for the next requesting borrower and alerts the operator that the item should be placed on the holds shelf or, in appropriate cases, shipped to the borrower.

Notices are generated automatically by the system for overdue items, items on hold and outstanding fines. Notices may be printed out or prepared for delivery by an e-mail system.

The acquisitions and serials control modules are still in development. They are expected to be out during 1991. There are five programmers and two documentation specialists working on the development.

Marquis appears to be slightly more expensive than the most popular systems now on the market, primarily because it normally requires 386-based PCs with 8MB of memory each for intensive use of library applications. The base software price is approximately $20,000 per module, plus $400 for each PAC user license and $1,000 for each staff workstation license. Pricing is subject to change within the next few months.

Marquis has already made its first sale, to an unnamed corporation that intends to enable up to 5,000 users to access the data base of its special libraries. The contract amount was just under $500,000. Marquis plans to target other large LAN owners in special and academic environments, initially in North America and then worldwide.

[Contact: Marquis, 151 East 1700 South, Provo, UT 84606; (801) 226-5508.]

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