Library Computing Services
Semi-Annual Report, July 1 - December 31, 1995

Contents

PROJECT SUMMARY

New LIAS Databases and other Resources

LCS continued to enhance LIAS by providing access to new subject databases and reference sources throughout the reporting period. The NTIS (National Technical Information Service) database, released in July 1995, provides access to proposals and results of U.S. government-sponsored research and development projects published since 1964. Penn State was the first institution to map this database from its local NTIS format to the USMARC communications format, which means that the database is now in a standard machine-readable format that can be used by other institutions. As a result, LCS and the University Libraries are currently considering providing access to the NTIS database through the LIAS Z39.50 server for all CIC institutions. In addition, investigations are under way to provide a document delivery service for NTIS materials. The Periodical Abstracts and ABI/INFORM databases, previously available via the Z39.50 server at RLG, were also loaded on the local LIAS server. This will allow LCS to provide access to the full text articles in these databases directly through LIAS. Loading of the full text ASCII files is proceeding, and a viewer for accessing these files is in the final stages of development.

The following external databases/resources, accessible either via Z39.50 or a gateway, were also added to LIAS: Encyclopedia Britannica (on the World Wide Web; available in LIAS using LYNX software); ESTC English Short Title Catalogue (via Z39.50); and ARTFL, a full text database of French language texts (on the World Wide Web; available in LIAS using LYNX software.)

LIAS Software Enhancements

In addition to expanding the number of resources available through LIAS, LCS continued to assist the Libraries in enhancing and streamlining many of their processes. LCS provided two new library management reports during the reporting period. The Shelflist report, which enables the printing of citations for specified call number ranges in a given library or a group of libraries, can assist Libraries personnel in making collection development decisions, while a new circulation count report can assist staff in identifying low use items which could be moved to off-site storage. Finally, development of a download/print function from within any LIAS database neared completion at the end of the year; its implementation awaits a recommendation from the University Libraries Printing Committee on hardware and fee issues.

Two projects in the final stages of development at the close of 1995 were the addition of title/author information to overdue, fee, recall, and other patron notices [completed and released January 17, 1996] and the RLIN/OCLC FTP project. The latter project will enable LCS to send new Penn State cataloging records to the RLIN and OCLC bibliographic utilities via weekly FTP rather than via monthly tapes, thereby streamlining operations. LCS also began to explore ways of extending automated circulation control to the CES campus libraries.

LIAS Client

A significant undertaking during the second half of 1995 was the development of a pc-based LIAS client. The LIAS Client will provide access to LIAS databases using a GUI (graphical user interface) and the full functionality of the Windows environment. The Libraries Client Advisory Team will assist LCS in determining the capabilities and features that are desirable in the client. LCS plans to have version 1.0 of the LIAS Client ready for release and implementation by Fall, 1996.

CIC VEL

LCS and the University Libraries continued to participate in the development of the CIC Virtual Electronic Library (VEL), a project funded by the U. S. Department of Education. Completion of phase one of this project, the ability for all CIC Libraries to search each other's online catalogs using Z39.50, has been impeded by problems in the NOTIS Z39.50 server. These problems prohibit non-NOTIS sites such as Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin from successfully searching the NOTIS databases at the other CIC institutions, and consequently, the VEL will not be a reality until these problems are resolved. Phase two of the project will enable CIC patrons to request materials from each other's libraries. A RFI for this piece of the VEL was sent to vendors/developers in late 1995.

LCS Web Activities

The LIAS World Wide Web page made its appearance in December, 1995. The page, developed by LCS staff, provides a telnet connection to LIAS, and offers news about LIAS, tips on using the system, LIAS statistics, etc., and also tracks ongoing projects in LCS. LCS is also exploring ways to provide a Web Z39.50 gateway to LIAS from this page. The URL for the page is http://www.lias.psu.edu.

System Upgrade

During the summer of 1995, LCS replaced its Digital VAX 10630 with a Digital AXP Alpha Server 8400 with a resultant upgrade in LIAS performance. In addition, LCS added 154 gigabytes of disk storage to support the University Libraries database loads.

Network Upgrade

In August, 1995, LCS replaced its Ethernet network with switched Ethernet. Implementation of the faster, switched Ethernet hardware enables LCS to provide abstracts, full text, full motion video and other multimedia applications to the desktop, and provides dedicated 10 MB to the desktop over a 1.2 gigabyte backbone. The Libraries Ethernet network will be converted to switched Ethernet during fiscal years 1995-96 and 1996-97.

Workstation Upgrades

LCS operations staff spent much of the summer of 1995 replacing the University Libraries IBM XT, PS2/30 and PS2/50z computers with 125 IBM P90 Pentium workstations. In addition, they installed new IBM P90 Pentiums for all LCS staff.

Trouble Calls

LCS staff resolved 704 trouble calls during the reporting period.

CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT (CQI) ACTIVITIES

Dace Freivalds continued to serve as LCS representative on the C&IS CQI Council, and Wayne Stump continued to serve on the University Libraries Equipment Review Team. The Equipment Review Team implemented a new equipment ordering, purchasing and installation process, and will meet later in 1996 to review how the process is working.

SOFTWARE SELF-AUDIT

The C&IS software self-audit policy has been discussed by LCS Management, but has not yet been implemented.

PERSONNEL ACTIVITIES

Leave

Joni Barnoff returned from child care leave in September, 1995.

Presentations. Publications

Lance Wilkinson presented a program on engineering Open VMS GopherSpace at DECUS, San Francisco, CA, December 4.

Meetings, Seminars, Workshops

Eric Ferrin and Lance Wilkinson participated in a Novell Technologies Transfer Partners meeting in Bloomington, IN, July 25.

Eric Ferrin met with the CIC Library Automation Directors in Chicago, IL, July 31 - August 2; in Ann Arbor, MI, September 11-12; and again in Chicago, IL, November 15-16.

Eric Ferrin met with University of Tulsa library and computer center management and staff to discuss LIAS-TU issues, Tulsa, OK, August 3-4.

Eric Ferrin attended the Seminar on Academic Computing in Snowmass, CO, August 7-11.

Eric Ferrin attended the CIC Ameritech Proposal meeting in Chicago, IL, August 17-18.

Eric Ferrin participated in an IBM Briefing in Santa Teresa, CA, August 28-31.

Mike Bender and Lance Wilkinson completed the NT Security course at the Scanticon, September 11-13.

Eric Ferrin met with the Z39.50 Implementors Group (ZIG) in Washington D.C., September 25-27.

Eric Ferrin participated in Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) and EDUCOM meetings in Portland, OR, October 30 - November 3.

Eric Ferrin attended a vendor briefing at CISCO in San Francisco, CA, October 23-25.

Eric Ferrin participated in COMDEX in Las Vegas, NV, November 13-14.

Tom Irwin met with the CIC Computing Architecture Committee in Madison, WI, November 15-16.

Eric Ferrin, Tun Chin, and Lance Wilkinson attended DECUS in San Francisco, CA, December 3-8.

Appendix A: LIAS CAT Statistics

Appendix B: LIAS Database Statistics (Table)

Appendix C: LIAS Database Statistics (Graph)

Appendix D: LIAS Availability

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