Library Technology Guides

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Volume 11 Number 10 (October 1991)

Local library system prices dropping

The introduction of RISC-based computers such as the MIPS, the Hewlett-Packard and the IBM RS/6000 series; the dramatic drop in price of computer memory; and the availability of the 1 Gbyte (1 Gigabyte or 1-billion character) disk drive has dropped the price of hardware for local library systems by as much as one-third in the past 18 months. While local library systems vendors have increased software prices to offset some of the loss of profit on the sale of hardware, the overall price of systems has come down. For most of the past decade the average budget for a system supporting 16 or more concurrent users has been $10,000, but the figure now is approximately $7,300. The figures were determined by dividing the total price for hardware, software, shipping, installation, and training for 30 systems sold in 1989 and 20 systems sold between mid-1990 and mid-1991 by the number of concurrent users the system was licensed to support. Concurrent users consist both of dedicated terminals on the system and the number of remote users who can access the system at one time by dial-up or through a network interface.

Libraries which require systems supporting fewer than 16 concurrent users have realized some reduction in price, but not as much as larger libraries because the relatively fixed costs of sales and training have not gone down. These latter costs represent a larger percent of cost for the smaller systems; therefore, the reduction in hardware prices has had less effect.

The price leaders for systems supporting more than 16 concurrent users continue to be CLSI and Dynix, with Gaylord holding a definite edge on the price of smaller multi-user systems (systems configured on a supermicro, rather than on PCs) . DRA is very competitive on larger systems, especially those supporting 100 or more concurrent users. Innovative Interfaces is consistently higher priced, not on hardware, but on software. The prices of most other vendors fluctuate a great deal; therefore, they are difficult to categorize.

Overall, local library systems represent a better buy today than at any time in the past decade.

NOTIS changes hands

Ameritech Information Systems and Northwestern University signed an agreement on October 1, 1991, for NOTIS to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameritech. Management and staff will remain in place.

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

Modems speeding up

Fifteen years ago it was common for libraries to access remote data bases at 300 bits per second (bps); which was also the remote access speed of early local library systems. While satisfactory for retrieving a few citations or supporting circulation, it was less than that for patron access catalog applications.

The move to 1200 bps in the early eighties was a dramatic improvement because it meant one-fourth as much time online, or four times as much information in a unit of time. The higher speed was crucial to the success of patron access catalogs.

Three years ago, as technology improved and prices fell, the 2400 bps modem became common. Since most phone circuits were not of high enough quality to support transmission speeds greater than 1800 bps, it became necessary to use chip technology and software to compress the data and add error detection and correction features. Until recently there were no standards for those techniques, but now the CCITT, the international standards setting body for telecommunications, has promulgated a series of standards.

Access to full-text files has been dramatically improved as the result of these techniques. The result of the new standard, designated V.32, is not only lower-cost 2400 bps modems but the spawning of a whole new 9600 bps market. There already are 9600 bps modems available for under $800. Since not all remote data bases and local library systems have kept pace with the dramatic changes, a substantial number of the devices also can run __ at lower speeds, from 300 to 2400 bps. Those libraries updating or purchasing should be sure to require V.32 conformity because that assures connectivity with other products which conform to the CCITT standards. Multiplexors with built-in modems also should support the same standards.

Libraries should not limit their investigation to 9600 bps modems, however, because there also are dramatic changes occurring in telephone company circuits, as discussed below.

Telephone network goes digital

The North American telephone network is going digital at a rapid rate. Virtually all major telephone companies, long distance and local, have ceased installing analog circuits--with the sole exception of the "last mile to the customer's premises" and that, too, is increasingly going digital. The reasons for the change are that digital circuits are less expensive to provide, offer better quality transmission, and problems are easier to diagnose.

Every major long distance carrier is now selling digital circuits, called DS-0 circuits, at the same rates as analog circuits. The rates for digital service are expected to drop below that for analog service within the next year. Some local telephone companies have recently reduced the price of their digital circuits. The average price is now 1.2 to 1.5 times the price of an analog circuit, down from four times as much two years ago. Still, the expectation is that digital tariffs will drop further in the next year.

Libraries which are considering the installation or upgrading of data communications circuits should inquire of their telcos about current and projected rates for digital and analog service. At the point that the premium for digital circuits drops below 40 percent, digital service becomes an excellent investment.

Libraries interested in cable television as a potential data carrier may be interested to know that there also is a migration from analog to digital in that industry.

CARL and the BLDSC pursue cooperation

CARL, the local library systems vendor which also operates the UnCover program for access to journal articles, has announced that they are in discussion with the British Library Document Supply Centre (BLDSC) to create a comprehensive document delivery service for U.S. libraries. While UnCover includes 10,500 unique titles (approximately 2 million articles) , the BLDSC collection includes more than 200,000 journal titles and more than 300,000 proceedings. Requests which could not be satisfied from UnCover contributing libraries would be referred to the BLDSC. The finalization of the agreement may take until the end of the year.

[Contact; CARL Systems, Inc., 777 Grant Street, Suite 306, Denver, CO 80203; (303) 861-5319; Fax (303) 830-0103.]

CLSI interfaces with robot

The online public access catalog of CLSI, Inc., was introduced at the Bordeaux Public Library when it opened its new 280,000-square-foot building in late August. The eleven-floor building with an all-glass facade was built around an automated robot which controls storage and retrieval of the library's collection. CLSI developed an interface to the unique automated system that directs the robot in its shelving and retrieval of the library's non-circulating items. These materials are available on an hourly loan basis and represent all but 80,000 volumes of the library's collection of one million volumes.

After CLSI's online catalog module produces the search results, a request is sent to the robot via one of six personal computers (PCs). The PC assigns a number to each user's request, and item barcode numbers activate the robot to retrieve the items, usually within five minutes. The system informs the user that the items have been delivered by automatically listing the assigned request number on an overhead electronic sign. To shelve the materials, a PC scans the items' barcodes, and the robot returns the materials to the correct locations.

[Contact: CLSI, Inc., 320 Nevada Street, Newtonville, MA 02160; (617) 965-6310; Fax (617) 969-1928.]

Gaylord installs 260-terminal system

Gaylord Information Systems has installed a new GALAXY Integrated Library System in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. The system is the largest GALAXY installation thus far, with 260 terminals, serving 19 independent libraries throughout the county. The libraries share a common data base of nearly one million titles and four million items, and circulate over 4.5 million items a year.

The GALAXY integrated software modules for circulation control, online public access catalog, and cataloging in Suffolk County operate on a Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) VAXserver 4000, with 64 Mbytes of main memory and 12 Gbytes of mass disk storage. This installation brings the total number of GALAXY System users to over 60 libraries of various sizes and types throughout the country.

[Contact; Gaylord Information Systems, P.O. Box 4901, Syracuse, NY 13221; (315) 457-5070 or (800) 962-9580.]

Gaylord introduces LC authorities interface

Gaylord Information Systems has announced the introduction of an online interface between the Library of Congress's CD-ROM authority record data bases, CDMARC Subjects and CDMARC Names, and its GALAXY Integrated Library System. Called CDMARC Interface, the new product enables records to be transferred from the Library of Congress's CD-ROM discs to SuperCAT, Gaylord's cataloging support system, for editing and subsequent downloading into the GALAXY Integrated Library System's MARC authority control data base.

A library subscribes to the Library of Congress's CDMARC Subjects and CDMARC Names and then inserts the appropriate discs into GALAXY's existing SuperCAT CD-ROM disc drives. Revision of records is done using SuperCAT's editing capabilities and the modified records are then automatically added to GALAXY's local authority control data base.

The CDMARC Interface is delivered as a complete package including software, user documentation, and installation instructions.

[Contact; Gaylord Information Systems, P.O. Box 4901, Syracuse, NY 13221; (315) 457-5070 or (800) 962-9580.]

Information Dimensions adds document conversion

Libraries increasingly are seeking to add non-bibliographic information to their data bases. Information Dimensions has responded by offering a comprehensive suite of word processor file format converters to BASISplus, its document management and retrieval system. The KEYpak converters, developed by Keyword Office Technologies, Ltd., and licensed by IDI, allows BASISplus users to import and export over 30 different word processor file formats including Microsoft Word, IBM DisplayWrite, Mass-II, WordPerfect, WPS-PLUS, and Uniplex II Plus running on Digital, IBM, and UNIX-based platforms. With the converters, BASISplus users can retrieve, review, and revise documents stored in BASISplus data bases such as memos, correspondence, proposals, plans, scientific and engineering reports, proceedings, regulations, legal documents, and personnel records.

The BASISplus document converters are scheduled for availability November 1. Pricing begins at $500 based on server class and includes KEYpak software from Keyword, documentation, and customer support.

BASISplus is installed at more than 2,200 organizations worldwide and is in use in over 10,000 applications--libraries representing only a small percentage of the whole. BASISplus operates on IBM, Digital, Sun, Hewlett-Packard, Unix, Bull, and Control Data platforms. First copy license cost begins at $5,000, depending on server class and number of networked users.

Information Dimensions, Inc., an international software firm with 18 offices worldwide, is a subsidiary of Battelle Memorial Institute of Columbus, Ohio. Keyword office Technologies is a supplier of document interchange technology, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Keyword products, designated KEYpak, run on more than 35 platforms and allow information to be exchanged among over 60 different document processing systems.

[Contact: Information Dimensions, Inc., 5080 Tuttle Crossing Boulevard, Dublin, OH 43017-3569; (614) 761-8083 or (800) 328-2648.]--a new address.

INNOPAC system added to GSA schedule

Federal libraries wanting to automate with the INNOPAC system can ease the procurement process by purchasing through the General Services Administration (GSA). Innovative Interfaces has been added to the GSA schedule under contract #GSOOK91AGS5118.

The INNOPAC library automation system includes online catalog, catalog maintenance, circulation, inventory control, serials control, acquisitions, fund accounting, and materials booking modules. INNOPAC can be installed as a turnkey solution, complete with hardware, software, installation, training, and comprehensive maintenance support. Alternatively, libraries can elect to purchase the INNOPAC software to run on various UNIX-based processors. INNOPAC has been installed in more than 200 libraries throughout the world. The Federal Reserve Board, the Internal Revenue Service, and the National Institutes of Health are among the federal libraries that have chosen INNOPAC.

[Contact: Innovative Interfaces, Inc., 2344 Sixth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710; (415) 644-3600 or (800) 444-2344; Fax (415) 644-3650.]

Marquis signs Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation has purchased the Marquis online public access, catalog maintenance, and circulation modules for use in the Microsoft corporate library. The Marquis system is built around a client-server architecture, distributed processing and a fully relational data base. Multitasking capabilities and graphical user interface (GUI) are also part of the standard environment for the Marquis system. The announcement is of interest because it is only the second known installation of a local library system which uses the OS/2 operating system.

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

Low-end IBM RS/6000 delayed

IBM recently announced that it would extend its very popular RS/6000 line downward so that customers would be able to implement cost-effective small systems serving fewer than a dozen concurrent users. Unfortunately, technical difficulties have indefinitely delayed the new introduction.

For the time being, the low end will continue to be the Model 320, which at $7,770 has a 20-MHz RISC microprocessor and 16 MBytes of RAM and can support up to 30 concurrent users with some software packages. The top end of the 7-model range can support up to 250 concurrent users.

Faxon and OCLC introduce document delivery service

Faxon Research Services, Inc., (FRS) and OCLC have announced that Faxon Finder and Faxon Xpress will be made available through OCLC's EPIC and FirstSearch services in early 1992. Faxon Finder and Faxon Xpress are the first services offered by FRS, a newly created subsidiary of the Faxon Company. Faxon Finder is a comprehensive online current awareness service that presents the tables of contents of approximately 10,000 technical, scientific, business and medical journals. Faxon Finder incorporates extensive searching and browsing options.

Users can order articles directly through Faxon Xpress, a priority document delivery service. Initially the service will be set up to receive an order by 9:00 p.m. and deliver the document by 8:00 a.m. the following day. Other means of document delivery will also be available at the client's request.

A marketing campaign will be launched in late 1991.

UMI/Data Courier to convert data bases

UMI/Data Courier has decided to convert records in its indexing and abstracting data bases to complete USMARC format. Among the data bases which will be converted are ABI/Inform, Newspaper Abstracts, and Periodical Abstracts. The decision will facilitate the loading of files into local library systems or the interfacing of local library systems with remote online data bases. WLN has been selected to assist UMI/Data Courier in the verification of tags, indicators, and subfield codes.

[Contact: UMI/Data Courier, 620 South Third Street, Louisville, KY 40202-2475, Attn: Valerie MacLeod; (800) 626-2823; Fax (502) 589-5572.]

Copyright confusion

For the last several years U.S. courts have taken the position that the effort that went into developing a product (the "blood, sweat, and tears") determined who owned it. For example, OCLC copyrighted its data base because of all of the effort that went into creating and maintaining the data base. The OCLC copyright claim, and many others, may now be open to challenge because of a recent Supreme Court decision. The Court ruled that the data involved in the publication of a telephone directory is statistical in nature and within the public domain even though considerable effort has gone into gathering, organizing, and publishing the information. While no one would argue that a bibliographic data base is statistical, there is no question that many products and services being purchased by libraries involve information which the suppliers did not create, but into which they put "blood, sweat, and tears." It may take years before the courts look at the question, but in the meantime there is increased confusion about copyright.

Library of Congress introduces CDMARC Bibliographic

CDMARC Bibliographic, the Library of Congress USMARC bibliographic file on CD-ROM, is now available. It includes approximately four million bibliographic records for books, maps, music, serials, visual materials, and computer files. Initially designed to be used by LC's overseas offices to assist with acquisitions and bibliographic access, CDMARC Bibliographic was secondarily developed to meet a perceived need for such a product in the library community.

Users can search any combination of 19 indexes with Boolean logic or browse any of 16 indexes. Boolean selections include the use of the AND, OR and NOT search commands. Using single- and multiple-character truncation symbols can expand search results. Other features of the search and retrieval software include the ability to conduct keyword searches and to search and browse indexes such as publisher, language, country, corporate or meeting name, publisher's number (music), and physical description or format.

Indexes for personal name, title, series, publication year, ISBN, ISSN, Dewey and LC call numbers, and LC subject headings are also available. CDMARC Bibliographic has no stopwords, allowing records to be searched in any way desired.

Libraries which already have a satisfactory cataloging support system may wish to consider the product for the reference department. It cannot only be available to staff and patrons for look-up, but also as a source for preparing bibliographies because the records can be downloaded to a floppy or hard disk in either ASCII (for use with basic word processing software to compile bibliographies or to prepare local notes) or in USMARC formats.

Users can choose from five display formats for viewing, printing, or saving bibliographic records; MARC-tagged, catalog card, labeled, and two customized formats-custom-labeled or custom-tagged. One format can be selected as a preferred default style.

As is the case with other CDMARC products, CDMARC Bibliographic runs on an IBM PC XT/AT, PS 2, or compatible. Additional hardware specifications for the PC and the CD-ROM drive(s) are detailed in the CDMARC Bibliographic product fact sheet available from CDS customer services representatives.

An annual subscription service, CDMARC Bibliographic will provide customers with a set of six fully cumulated CD-ROM discs each quarter for $1,200 a year ($1,250 international).

[Contact: Library of Congress, Customer Services Selection, Cataloging Distribution Service, Washington, D.C. 20541; (202) 707-6100; Fax (202) 707-1334.]

Bridges, routers, and brouters

Local area networks (LANs) can be confusing, especially when LANs have to be linked. Among the questions most frequently asked of us is the difference between bridges and routers. Bridges connect similar types of LANs, for example one Ethernet LAN with another or one TokenRing LAN with another. Bridges are supported by standards which fit into the bottom two levels of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model. They are limited to physical and data link connectivity because they are connecting LANs using the same topology. Routers connect different types of LANs, therefore, they have to resolve incompatibilities among them through use of network protocols. Routers work at the third layer of the OSI Reference Model, the network layer. A third type of internetworking technology, the brouter, is emerging which combines the functions of bridges and routers and offers somewhat greater flexibility as the initial investment need not become obsolete as the networks in the environment change. Nevertheless, one of the first questions librarians will need to be able to answer when purchasing products for linking LANs is whether bridges or routers should be quoted.

A new CD local area network option

Starting Point, a small Michigan company, has introduced a new approach to networking CD-ROM drives on a local area network. The company is a Novell dealer, and has developed a CD LAN using a brand new software product known as SCSI Express by Micro Design International. By using a powerful 40 Mghz 386-based server with 64 Mbytes of cache memory, the LAN can support 20 or more concurrent users, rather than the five to seven possible on most CD LANs. All of the hardware and software is non-proprietary. Prices are competitive with those offered by Meridian and other suppliers. The major drawback is the small size of the company, a factor which limits post-sale support outside of the Detroit area.

[Contact: Starting Point, 30250 John R, Madison Heights, MI 48071; (313) 585-4880.]

ONLINE/CD-ROM '91 in San Francisco

Online/CD-ROM '91 will be held at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco on November 11-13, 1991. The fall conference registra-tion fee is $450. Additional workshops and preconference sessions (November 10) are available for $30 to $205 each.

[Contact; Online/CD-ROM '91, 11 Tannery Lane, Weston, CT 06883, Attn: Tasha Fleinrichs; (203) 227-8466; Fax (203) 222-0122.]

Multimedia Expo scheduled

While multimedia have burst on the scene in the past year, the concept is old enough that American Expositions has announced the Fourth Annual Multimedia conference for this November. The conference will offer a wide range of program meetings, seminars, and exhibits. The dates for the Expo, to be held at the San Jose Convention Center, are November 18-20, 1991. Registration is $485, plus $75 to $250 each for a series of optional workshops.

[Contact: American Expositions, Inc., 110 Greene Street, Suite 703, New York, NY 10012; (212) 226-4141.]

RFP workshop

Library Technology Reports will sponsor a one-day workshop on automated library systems procurement and the RFP, in Philadelphia on November 15, 1991. Richard W. Boss will be the workshop presenter. The registration fee is $135 ($110 for LTR subscribers) and hotel rates at the Barclay--the workshop site--are $85 for a single or double. The participants will receive a complimentary copy of the September-October 1990 issue of Library Technology Reports, the issue on which the workshop is based.

[Contact; Library Technology Reports, American Library Association, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611, Attn; Howard White; (312) 280-4271 or (800) 545- 2433, ext. 4271; Fax (312) 440-9374.]

586 chips coming

While most of us-are still deliberating whether to replace 286-based PCs with 386 technology, Intel has let it be known that 1992 will be the year it introduces 586 technology. The new chip may support several times the throughput of the 286 or 386.

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