Library Technology Guides

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Volume 14 Number 08 (August 1994)

OCLC testing Internet access to PRISM

OCLC is providing Internet access to the PRISM service for cataloging and interlibrary loan on a trial basis for one year. While fewer than one-third of OCLC's 17,000 participating libraries are able to access the Internet, were all of these to move to the Internet, there would be a significant impact on OCLC's overall telecommunications cost structure. To insure fairness and equity in these costs for all OCLC members, there will be a nominal connect-hour charge for cataloging and ILL access to Internet, at least during a transition period.

The Internet connection to the PRISM service will provide full, interactive functionality of the cataloging and interlibrary loan systems, when accessed via OCLC PASSPORT software.

Having PRISM services available via the Internet will broaden international access to OCLC, particularly for countries in which high telecommunications costs currently create a barrier.

After a year of experience with Internet access, during which OCLC hopes to get answers to questions regarding user support, costs, response time, billing, and reliability, OCLC will be in better position to make decisions about the facilities it will need for providing Internet access on a permanent basis.

During the test, if demand exceeds capacity (500 simultaneous users), additional users will temporarily be prevented from logging on. Therefore, OCLC encourages users not to remove their other OCLC access methods until they gain more experience with cataloging and resource sharing via the Internet.

OCLC currently provides Internet access with no connect charge for reference services and the Electronic Journals Online publications. This policy will continue.

[Contact: OCLC, Inc., 6565 Frantz Road, Dublin, OH 43017-3395, (614) 764-5002 or (614) 764-6000; Fax (614) 764-6096.]

WLN will convert to TCP/IP

WLN has begun converting the WLN leased line network to TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), the communications protocol used by the Internet. The conversion to TCP/IP will expand access options to WLN online services and will allow libraries to take greater advantage of their investments in existing equipment by providing access to WLN via PCs on local area networks, campus networks, or local systems connected to the Internet, rather than by dedicated PCs and WLN leased lines.

A number of factors influenced the decision to convert the network to TCP/ I?, including the rapid growth of the Internet, growing demand for access to WLN services over the Internet, the attractive costs of the Internet, and the increasing high profile of the Information Highway of the future.

For libraries that do not already have Internet connections, the network conversion to TCP/IP requires that existing WLN leased lines be disconnected and new higher speed communications lines be installed.

Libraries will connect to WLN via TCP/IP connections in one of the following ways:

• Leased line libraries that already have "desktop access to the Internet" will be able to drop their WLN leased lines and start using their existing Internet connections.
• Libraries that have Internet access into the library or institution, but not all the way to the appropriate PCs, will need to install a LAN connection from those PCs to the Internet connection.
• Libraries that do not have Internet connections will need to purchase full leased Internet connections from WLN or another Internet vendor. This may require a library to install a LAN to connect in-house PCs to the Internet
• Libraries that do not have Internet connections and cannot afford a full Internet connection will still be able to have a limited TCP/IP connection installed by WLN. This TCP/IP connection will allow a library to communicate with WLN systems but will not allow it to communicate with the rest of the computers on the Internet. This is a less expensive connection than a "full Internet connection." WLN is committed to keeping the price for these limited TCP/IP connections to the price rate of current WLN leased line connections.
• Smaller leased line libraries that do not have Internet connections and have low usage of the WLN online system may choose TCP/IP high speed (19.2 Kbs) dial-up to WLN instead of a leased TCP/IP connection. TCP/IP dial-up will have the same features as a leased TCP/IP connection except the user will have to dial up to start each session. Input and display of the ALA character set and MARC download will be available through dial-up.

If WLN is the Internet provider or TCP/IP connection provider for a library, WIN will be responsible for the reliability of the library's link. If WLN is not the provider, the library will need to work with its provider if the link is down or does not perform well.

A major component of the network conversion is the development of new WLN terminal emulation software, i.e., a WLN TED replacement, that will run on a TCP/ IP network. Development of Windows-based WIN terminal emulation software, called WINC (WIN Internet Communications software), also is in progress. The new Windows-based software will support the input and display of the ALA character set, MARC download from the WLN database to the PC, and new features such as Windows cut/copy/pasting of data. To communicate with WLN systems, WINC will use TCP/IP software which must be installed on the PC. WIN will distribute Windows compatible TCP/IP software and will provide a list of PC TCP/IP software that WIN will support if the library chooses to acquire it from another source.

The WINC software will be enhanced in the future to move WLN online functions down to the PC. For example, MARC record creation and editing would be done on the PC using WINC, then MARC records would be uploaded to the online system for authority checking and review. There would be less interaction with the online system thus reducing response time and the amount of time actually needed.

It will also be possible to access WLN systems over the Internet without the new Windows WINC software. Any terminal or PC which has access to the Internet or the library's WLN TCP/IP connection and which can emulate a VT100 terminal will be able to access the WLN systems. However, terminals or PCs which access WLN systems in this mode will not have the full functionality of WINC access. For example, they will not be able to input Dr display the ALA character set or download MARC records from the online database. If a library's local library system 1.5 connected to the Internet, any VT100 Terminal or PC on the local system will be able to communicate with WLN systems. The local system must, of course, have gateway software or allow terminals/PCs to log out of the local system applications and gain access to the Internet.

WLN will continue its current WIN pricing the flat rate methodology, i.e., WLN Online Service Fee (OSF). Given that any PC or terminal in the library that has access to the Internet will be able to communicate with WIN systems, the concept of "Network Service Fee" per "WIN leased line PC" will no longer be appropriate after the network conversion. Analysis of the Online Service Fee as it relates to Internet access is underway. Although details are not complete, the current plan is to charge libraries per "Simultaneous User" connected via TCP/IP to WIN systems, instead of by "Network Service Fee" per "WIN leased line PC." WLN has estimated that the conversion to TCP/IP and Internet access will take up to 24 months to complete.

[Contact: WLN, P.O. fox 3888, Iacey, WA 98503; 800-DIAIWLN, (206) 923-4000; Fax (206) 923-4009; Internet: info@wln.com.]

Mosaic simplifies the Internet

Finding information in the databases scattered around the Internet can be daunting, but help, in the form of client software, is available. The product, Mosaic, was designed by the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University pf Illinois. Mosaic can be downloaded free by Internet users. The address is ftp.ncsa.uiuc.edu. Once available on a PC, the user can simply click a mouse on words or images to summon text, sound, and images from the databases which have been configured to work with Mosaic.

Enhanced Mosaic products may be purchased from any one of several companies. Some automated library system vendors also support Mosaic so that devices on the system can go out through a gateway in the CPU with the aid of Mosaic. Specify Mosaic access in the RFP or contact the vendor who has installed your library's automated system.

[Contact: National Center for Supercomputing Applications; (217) 244-0072.]

DRA beta testing PAC client

DRA is beta testing its new PC-based client PAC. The product, which conforms to the Z39.50 client standard, uses Microsoft Windows to present a "graphical user interface" (GUI) to patrons. It can be used to access not only the DRA and Inlex automated library systems, but also any Z39.50-based server.

It is not necessary to stop using dumb terminals or PCs using terminal emulation software when the new remote peripherals are added to a DRA or Inlex system.

General release is expected in the third quarter of 1994.

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

Geac experiences sales gains

Geac Computers, Inc., appears to be well ahead of its 1993 sales pace. During all of 1993 it made 31 "new name" sales of its PLUS and ADVANCE products. At its current rate of sales it may sell 40 or more during 1994. It is difficult to sort out the sales data because the company does not distinguish between "new name" and "upgrade" sales in its press releases, but both the rate and the types of accounts are impressive.

Recently announced PLUS sales-most of them upgrades-include NOBLE (North of Boston Exchange) , Waterford and Groton Public Libraries, LEAP (Library Exchange Aids Patrons) , Jefferson Parish Public, Blue Ridge Regional library, U.S. Department of Energy Library, River Bend Library System, and the Mary Riley Styles Public Library. Sales of PLUS have been. aided by the recent issuance of Release 2. It includes fully integrated acquisitions, journal citation files capability, local database support, and extended character sets.

Recent ADVANCE sales-several of them upgrades-include New York University, University Club of New York, SUNY Albany, Berry College, South Plains College, Bradford College, El Camino Community College, Pacific College, Allegany Community College, and the Marquat Memorial Library.

[Contact: Geac Computers, Inc., 320 Nevada Street, Newtonville, MA 02160; (617) 965- 6310 or (800) 825-2574; Fax (617) 969-1928; or Geac Computer Corporation Ltd., Suite 300, 11 Allstate Parkway, Markham, Ontario I3R 9T8 Canada; (416) 475-0525; Fax (416) 475-3847.]

GEAC introduces GeOPAC

Geac Computers has introduced a PC-based PAC workstation which is Z39.50 client-based. It can be used to access not only Geac's PLUS and ADVANCE systems, but also Z39.50 compliant servers. GeoPAC uses Microsoft Windows as the GUI (graphical user interface).

[Contact: Geac Computers, Inc., 320 Nevada Street, Newtonville, MA 02160; (617) 965-6310 or (800) 825-2574; Fax (617) 969-1928; or Geac Computer Corporation Ltd., Suite 300, 11 Allstate Parkway, Markham, Ontario-I3R 9T8 Canada; (416) 475-0525; Fax (416) 475-3847.]

8TH edition of the Serials Directory now available

The eighth edition of The Serials Directory on CD-ROM is now available from EBSCO Publishing. New to the edition is an indication of whether a journal is fully or selectively covered by a particular index or abstract service. The Directory provides bibliographic coverage and current pricing information for more than 200,000 serials published worldwide. It also provides MARC-format records from the Library of Congress and ISSN Register (formerly ISDS/International Serial Data System) databases; Copyright Clearance Center information; notations for titles that began publishing in the last three years; and an expanded cross-reference and subject breakdown.

The Directory offers more than 50 elements of information including library of Congress Classification numbers, Dewey Decimal, Universal Decimal, National Library of Medicine, CODEN designators, and MARC control numbers. It also provides: the former title/new title; price, publisher name, address, and telephone/fax numbers; editor's name; language of publication; frequency; circulation control data; and an indication as to whether the publication is peer reviewed, accepts book reviews, or accepts advertising. Cumulative updates containing new titles, ceased or suspended titles, price updates, frequency, publisher name and address, format availability, alphabetical title index, and ISSN index are provided throughout the year. The cost is $525 with quarterly updates.

[Contact: EBSCO Publishing, P.O. Box 2250, Peabody, MA 01960; (508) 535-8500 or (800) 653-2726; Fax (508) 535-8545.]

NIightN, a new finding tool from TLC

NlightN is TLC's new finding tool, which provides a single point of access to information from a variety of sources. Through NlightN's Universal Index, a library user can search millions of records from a wide range of databases that include general periodical indexes, indexing and abstracting services, tables of contents and indexes of reference books, bibliographic catalogs of millions of books (including the Library of Congress MARC files) , statistical and financial files from government and private sources, numerous public domain databases, timelines and timetables of history, and directories of businesses and residences. In addition, NlightN includes a growing list of full-text works, including encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, and journal articles.

In order to reach a broader market, The library Corporation (TIC) has signed a marketing agreement with Geac Computer Corporation which will offer the NlightN information service to users of Geac ADVANCE and PLUS systems.

Access to NlightN is provided through the ADVANCE and PLUS online catalog terminals. Using NlightN's graphical user interface, "Information Central," users have multiple points of entry into the database. A single search yields results from all of the files included in NlightN. Hypertext links ties all of the databases together, saving users the time and effort involved in searching multiple databases with different command sets.

[Contact: The library Corporation, Research Park, Inwood, WV 25428; (800) 624-0559; Fax (304) 229-0295 or Geac Computers, Inc., 320 Nevada Street, Newtonville, MA 02160; (617) 965-6310 or (800) 825-2574; Fax (617) 969-1928.]

Ameritech Library Services seeks to renegotiate Horizon agreements

Dynix and NOTIS Systems are now officially Ameritech Library Services. While many of the management and internal operations activities have been consolidated in Provo, Utah, NOTIS still exists as a sales and customer support office in Evanston, Illinois--in fact, it is expanding that role to sell three automated library systems to the academic library market: Dynix, Classic NOTIS, and Horizon--the last the client/server system which appears to have triggered the reorganization when the announced development schedule was found to be very unrealistic.

Ameritech is seeking to renegotiate its 36 agreements for Horizon. Customers will be offered Marquis, also a client/ server product, with a commitment that it will be immediately available, and will be enhanced to include all of the functionality committed for Horizon. While quite complete as a circulation and OPAC product, Marquis' acquisitions and serials control modules will be significantly changed by the time Release 4.0 comes out in the first half of 1995. Interim release 3.2, due out later this year, will include the reserve book room submodule which most academic libraries require.

Of ten Horizon customers contacted by ISCI, only one-not an academic library-plans to enter into negotiation with another vendor. Of the others, three had already completed negotiations for the proposal, four were preparing to negotiate, and two were still considering their options. All have seen demonstrations of Marquis and six were favorably impressed with it as it is, and expect the Horizon product based on it to be acceptable. The reservations of the others appear to be less about functionality than concern about losing the close working relationship they had enjoyed with the Horizon development staff at NOTIS.

[Contact: Ameritech library Services, 400 Dynix Drive, Provo, UT 84604; (801) 223-5200 or (800) 288-8020; Fax (801) 223-5202.]

Dynix PAC Plus for Windows

Ameritech library Systems has recently introduced PAC Plus for Windows for its Dynix product line, a graphical user interface (GUI) that provides patrons an alternative to character-based remote peripherals. Searchers can use pop-up windows, button bars, Icons, dialog boxes, and a variety of other Windows features.

PAC Plus also facilitates the addition of images, audio clips, and sound to the database.

[Contact: Ameritech Library Services, Dynix Sales, 400 Dynix Drive, Provo, UT 84604; (801) 223-5200 or (800) 288-8020; Fax (801) 223-5202.]

Dynix Express- systems for small libraries

Ameritech library Services recently unveiled its Express program for small libraries that desire the Dynix software in a package which is less expensive and more quickly installed than the regular product. Express is designed for libraries with a main site, no more than one branch, and the need for 32 or fewer concurrent user licenses. Ameritech has developed a streamlined program for delivery of hardware, software, and installation services. The Dynix Express package includes the Dynix PAC Plus, Cataloging, Circulation, and I&R Community Resources modules, system hardware, complete installation services, orientation, and onsite training. Dynix Express customers may also elect options for site preparation, retrospective conversion to MARC records, or ongoing cataloging services.

A customer support team that specializes in working with smaller libraries provides support to Express libraries 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer questions or solve problems.

[Contact: Ameritech library Services, Dynix Sales, 400 Dynix Drive, Provo, UT 84604; (801) 223-5200 or (800) 288-8020; Fax (801) 223-5202.]

The New York Public Library- branches selects Dynix

The New York Public Library-Branches recently selected Dynix to provide a shared and fully integrated automated system for all 82 branches. NYPL has 1.8 million registered card holders, 10.5 million items, and an annual circulation that exceeds 10 million. When completed, Dynix' s NYPL-Branches installation will be Dynix's largest client, supporting up to 2,000 simultaneous users.

Dynix has installed central site equipment, is currently in the process of installing the telecommunications components, and is beginning to train NYPL staff members on the system. The Dynix system offers a full array of software modules acquisitions, serials control, cataloging, circulation, online patron access catalog, information & referral, and a report generator. The information & referral module is bilingual, providing for online display of the library's Directory of Community Services in English and Spanish.

The NYPL system will run on the newest and largest Hewlett-Packard RISC platform, Model 890/4 including 2 gigabytes of machine memory and 46.8 gigabytes of disk storage to provide data capacity, file redundancy, and space for additional local and leased databases. The telecommunications network provided supports frame relay with network speeds up to 1.544 megabits per second, and support for FTP, TCP/IP, and SNMP standards.

[Contact: Ameritech Library Services, Dynix Sales, 400 Dynix Drive, Provo, UT 84604; (801) 223-5200 or (800) 288-8020; Fax (801) 223-5202.]

New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia recognized

According to a recent survey conducted by Computers in Libraries, the New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia is the most popular electronic publication in school libraries.

The 1994 edition includes many multimedia enhancements as well as new features and improvements to the core technology, including animated Multimedia Maps; Audio Visual Essays (which combine narration, music and photography to give topic overviews); and narrated animation to help demonstrate and explain key topics. In all, four hours of multimedia are integrated into the 33,000 article Academic American Encyclopedia, Grolier's print encyclopedia.

Client/server in library automation

Client/server architecture is becoming increasingly more popular in library automation, but there is still considerable confusion about what it is. Even vendors who claim to have client/server products use widely differing definitions. We were recently asked to give our definition, and share it here:

Client/server divides functions into client (requestor) and server (provider) subsystems, with standard communication methods (such as TCP/IP and Z39.50) to facilitate the sharing of information between them. The dividing line between client and server can be anywhere along a broad continuum: at one end only the user interface has been moved onto the client; at the other end almost all applications have been moved onto the client and the database may be distributed. Client/ server architecture does not presuppose that client and server are on separate machines, although that is the more common approach. One client may be used to communicate with several different servers.

A GUI (graphical user interface) is often called client/server, but unless information moves from the server to the client in machine-readable (raw) form, and the client does the formatting to make it human-readable, it is not, in our opinion, true client/server. Further, there is nothing in the client/server architecture that requires a GUI.

Library Technology Reports has commissioned a report by ISCI of client/server technology in library automation. The study will define and discuss client/ server systems and will differentiate them from host-based systems. The principal products now in general release or in development will be described. The implications for writing RFPs for client/server will also be addressed. Publication has been scheduled for 1995.

Kid's catalog licensed to Geac

Geac Computers, Inc., has joined a growing list of automated library system vendors to become a licensee of Carl's Kid's Catalog, a graphical user interface (GUI) for children and young adults. Users of the interface cannot only undertake searches by author, title, or keyword, but also by using a mouse to explore topics represented by colorful icons or pictures.

The Kid's Catalog can be mounted on a PC with Windows or on a Macintosh. It interfaces with both of Geac's products: PLUS and ADVANCE.

[Contact: CARL Corporation, 3801 E. Florida Avenue, Bldg. D, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80210; (303) 758-3030; Fax (303) 758-0606; or Geac Computers, Inc., 320 Nevada Street, Newtonville, MA 02160; (617) 965-6310 or (800) 825-2574; Fax (617) 969-1928; or Geac Computer Corporation Ltd., Suite 300, 11 Allstate Parkway, Markham, Ontario 13R 9T8 Canada; (416) 475-0525; Fax (416) 475-3847.]

MARC holdings becoming available

Libraries have been specifying the intake, retention, and output of bibliographic records in MARC format for over a decade, but few RFPs include the requirement that the system be able to take in, retain, and output holdings records in the MARC format. It is now reasonable to include that requirement in an REP because several vendors are nearing completion of their MARC holdings development. One, DRA, recently announced general release.

The representation of holdings in a format which conforms to a standard will not only facilitate the linking of systems, but also simplify and reduce the cost of migration from one system to another in future years.

ASIS meeting set

The 1994 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Information Science will be held in Alexandria, Virginia, from October 17 through 20, 1994. Full conference registration is $295 for members and $395 for non-members.

[Contact: ASIS, 8720 Georgia Avenue, Suite 501, Silver Spring, MD 20910; (301) 495-0900.]

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