Annual Report, July 1996 - June 1997
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Library Computing Services Annual Report, July 1996 - June 1997 |
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1996 - 1997 At a Glance |
| LIAS on the Web-- Phase I |
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| Virtual Electronic Library (VEL) |
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| Circulation Control |
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| 17 New Databases |
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| Library Operations |
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| Workstation Support |
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1.0 PROJECT SUMMARY
LIAS on the Web -- Phase I
LIAS underwent a radical change and got a new look this past year. LIAS on the Web, released in
January 1997, provides access to all LIAS resources including The CAT and over 30 journal, full text,
table of contents and other databases, in a Web environment. Although access to several of the
databases continues to be via telnet, Web-based databases, such as Encyclopaedia Britannica and
MathSciNet, which were originally available in LIAS only through the LYNX non-graphical browser
software, can now make full use of the multimedia capability of the pc. LIAS on the Web also provides
direct access to Web-based databases not previously available through LIAS such as the Compendex
Web (Engineering), JSTOR, MUSE, and many more.
Through LIAS on the Web users have improved access to resources, including a Tell Me Where to Look
option for assistance in choosing LIAS databases, and Fast Track for going directly to a known
resource. LIAS on the Web (Phase I) enables users to simultaneously have multiple active LIAS
sessions, search the Internet, copy and paste text from LIAS databases and Web pages onto their own
floppy disks, email citations and documents to themselves, and more. LIAS on the Web also provides
the Open Text search engine to search the LCS and University Libraries web pages.
During the past year, LIAS on the Web public workstations were installed in all libraries at all Penn
State campuses, including Dickinson School of Law. It is accessible to anyone who has access to the
Internet at http://www.lias.psu.edu
Phase II of LIAS on the Web, a high priority for fiscal year 1997-1998, will provide further
enhancements, including a Web-based search interface for all LIAS databases, the ability to search
multiple databases at the same time, interactive tutorials, and more.
Virtual Electronic Library (VEL)
LCS has provided access to the VEL (Virtual Electronic Library) of the CIC since October 1996. The VEL, which is accessible via LIAS on the Web, provides a Web interface to the CIC library catalogs, including The CAT, and also allows them to be searched one at a time or simultaneously. Since July 1997, it has also been possible for users of the LIAS VEL to place their own interlibrary loan requests for materials at any of the CIC libraries directly through the VEL.
Circulation Control
System-wide ICP. The highest priority for LCS during Fall 1996 was upgrading the LIAS circulation
control component (known as Inventory Control Program, or ICP) in order to extend it to all Penn
State libraries. Automated circulation was originally released at University Park in 1979, and later
extended to Penn State Harrisburg. After a resource intensive, six month project during Fall 1996, ICP
was enhanced to support additional campuses, and the UP and Harrisburg circulation databases were
merged to create single item and single patron databases. Installation of the enhanced circulation
component to all campuses began during Spring Semester and was completed during August 1997.
Patron-Initiated Commands. LCS continued to upgrade the existing circulation system throughout the
year by enabling users to perform many of the circulation functions that were originally done by staff.
For example, since December 1996, users have been able to place their own personal reserves to recall
materials that are charged to other patrons. Since early Spring, 1997, users have also been able to
access their circulation records to verify which materials they have checked out, which materials are
overdue, what fines they owe, etc. LCS plans to release a Web-based version of these commands in
early Fall 1997.
Information Access
Databases. Over the past several years, LCS has greatly expanded the number and types of resources available through LIAS, so much so that at one point we were referring to each new database as the "flavor of the month." This trend continued during the past fiscal year as seventeen new databases were made available via LIAS on the Web between July, 1996 and June, 1997. Some of the databases are locally-loaded while others are accessible via a Z39.50 server, gateway software or the Web. Increasingly, access to the databases is via the Web, giving users the full benefits of images, graphics, full text, and more. In addition to the seventeen new databases available directly from LIAS on the Web, the African American Poetry, English Poetry , and English Verse databases became available via the University Libraries Electronic Text Center home page.
At the end of fiscal year 1996 - 1997, LIAS provided more than 30 index, abstract, and table of
contents databases which together offered access to 24,000,000 abstracts and 904,00 full text articles.
The databases were accessed 763,000 times during 1996 - 1997. As in previous years, Periodical
Abstracts was the most heavily used LIAS database, with a total of 215,896 sessions, accounting for
almost one-third of total database usage. Please refer to the appendices for additional LIAS database
usage statistics.
During the course of the year, LCS worked with the Libraries in converting locally-produced
databases, such as Mass Media which is currently available via Gopher, into LIAS databases. LCS also
participated in the English Emblem Book Project which is a cooperative venture of the Libraries
Electronic Text Center, Rare Books, Special Collections, CAC and the Department of English. The
aim of the project is to digitize the University's emblem collection and make it available online.
"Emblems" consist of three components: a picture, a motto, and a verse or prose passage that teaches a
lesson. LCS will assist in implementing the project and will maintain its image archive server. Finally,
LCS assisted with a University Libraries faculty research project in creating a database of agriculture-related records (USAIN) published between 1820-1845.
Indexing Changes. LIAS contains a wealth of material, some of which, especially music, has been
difficult to search due to the way the materials are indexed. To alleviate some of the problem, LCS
began indexing additional subfields, such as version, language, medium of performance, etc. The
additional access points enable more specific retrieval of many materials, and are especially noticeable
in uniform titles and personal name headings for music.
Library Operations
LC MARC Music Files. In December, 1996, LCS loaded the Library of Congress MARC (machine
readable cataloging) music files into the MARC database. With this load, there are now 6,200,000
records in the MARC database in the books, serials, maps, and music formats.
Marcive. In April 1997, Marcive went into production with an initial load of 612 records. This was the
first time that records were added en masse directly to The CAT; up to this point records have been
added one by one by Libraries processing staff. Marcive provides brief cataloging records for all
monographic documents currently received by the University Libraries through the Federal Depository
Library Program.
Hardware and Network Projects
Library Construction Move. LCS was heavily involved in providing wiring and moving hardware to
provide ongoing connectivity for Libraries' faculty and staff as they relocated to temporary work areas
while Pattee is under construction. More than 200 workstations were moved to the Thomas Building
and work areas throughout Pattee, with no loss of connectivity for the staff other than for the duration
of time when the actual move occurred.
Public Workstations. To support the implementation of LIAS on the Web, LCS has replaced over 200
Libraries public DEC VT terminals with Digital PCs with color monitors and a 133 Mhz Pentium
processor chip. The public workstations run Windows 95, and have been installed at all Penn State
libraries, including Dickinson College of Law. The remaining terminals, which have local printers, will
be replaced when the network printing solution is implemented.
Servers. In early Fall 1996, LCS installed a Digital Alpha 2100 OSF/1 Unix server which functions as
the LCS World Wide Web server. This server supports LIAS on the Web, the VEL, and other web
server software. LCS also installed a Sun SPARC 20 server in support of the Libraries DocuWeb
digital imaging project.
Networks. During the past year LCS converted all Pattee Library locations to switched Ethernet, and
converted the Libraries network servers from IBM PS2/95s to Compaq Proliant 1500 which provide
100 base TX network access. In addition, the University Libraries were upgraded to Novell Netware
4.1 during Fall 1996.
Trouble Calls
LCS staff resolved 1,109 trouble calls between July 1, 1996 and June 30, 1997.
2.0 PRIORITIES FOR 1997 - 1998
During the new fiscal year, July 1997 - June 1998, LIAS users will continue to see major
enhancements to LIAS on the Web, for example, the implementation of a Web-based search interface
for all LIAS databases including The CAT, and simultaneous searching of LIAS databases. In addition,
an increasing number of services such as the patron-initiated commands, user authorization,
administrative processes such as setting of open and close dates, and so on will be provided through
the Web. LCS will continue to work closely with the other units of C&IS in implementing common
user IDs, authentication, electronic transmission of data to University offices, etc.
The LIAS development matrix for the coming year is available on the web at
http://www.lias.psu.edu/matrix/matrix.htm. The matrix, which is a joint LCS/Libraries work plan, lists
current projects in areas such as information access, databases, library operations (both new
developments and maintenance activities), networking and hardware, and research and development.
The work plan is updated monthly, and briefly describes both ongoing projects and completed projects.
Brief descriptions of selected priority projects follow:
LIAS on the Web -- Phase II
Although LIAS is now available on the Web, many of its databases still have a character-based, non-graphical interface and are accessible only via telnet. One of the highest priorities during the coming
year is to provide a Web-based search interface to all of the LIAS databases. This will provide the user
with a more intuitive interface, and make previously little-known features of LIAS highly visible and
usable. For example, the LIAS Bridge command will be replaced with "hot links" to all authors, titles,
subjects and series in a record. Likewise, the "Display full text" or "DIT" command will also simply
be a hot link on the record to full text. Similar support will be provided for linking to graphics, URLs,
and so forth.
By the end of July 1997, the LIAS test server was available for testing by LCS staff; work now
continues on the interface design, more testing, etc.
Virtual Electronic Library (VEL)
The next phase of VEL development will enable CIC patrons to request materials directly from each
institution with minimal staff intervention (although it is transparent to users, the current
implementation requires considerable staff mediation.) It will also enable the creation of multiple
VELs, i.e., multiple pre-defined groups of catalogs that can be searched simultaneously. For example,
LCS is planning to release a PSU VEL consisting of all the locally loaded LIAS databases during Fall
1997. Finally, LCS is also exploring ways to authenticate users so all of the LIAS databases with
licensing restrictions can also be made available via the VEL. In addition, the next release of the VEL
will support "hot links" to the full text of articles, URLs, images, etc. directly from the bibliographic
records.
Circulation Control
Notices via Email. The LIAS circulation component will continue to be upgraded throughout the
coming year. In early Fall 1997, LCS will provide the ability to have overdue, recall, pick-up, fine and
other circulation notices sent via email rather than in printed form. Initially, at the Libraries request,
this will be a voluntary option, but it is highly likely that, in the future, emailing of notices will become
mandatory for anyone who has an Access account.
Patron Commands on Web. Until this past year, users had to ask library staff which items they had
checked out or overdue, what fees they owed, or which items had been reserved for them. Recently,
users were given the ability to do this themselves in the character-based LIAS; in early Fall 1997, LCS
will provide this capability via the Web.
Direct Posting of Fees. LCS is also working with the Office of Administrative Systems to be able to
directly post library fees to the general deposit accounts of students. Debits will occur three times a
year, at the end of each semester, while credits, for example, the return of a lost book, will be posted
daily.
Data Warehouse. LCS has accumulated many years of circulation transaction data. The Libraries has
not had access to this data for analysis; during the coming year LCS will provide the data to the
Libraries via data warehousing.
Information Access
Databases. LCS has purchased software to provide Web and Java access to the OVID databases, i.e.,
MEDLINE, PsycInfo and CINAHL. This will provide a more user-friendly, intuitive interface,
especially for those users who do not require the advanced search capabilities of the current OVID
software.
Other databases and resources that are under consideration include:
CIC Thompson Electronic Library Reference Shelf -- a suite of reference materials that would be
accessible via the Web.
Books in Print Publisher's Database -- a BIP product which would provide staff and users with
publisher, distributor and wholesaler names and access information (e.g., addresses, phone
numbers, etc.) for acquiring materials.
Major Microforms Sets -- access to over 100,000 uncataloged microform titles in about 20 series.
Locally Produced Databases. LCS has been working with the Libraries to provide access to locally
produced databases such as the indexes to the Centre Daily Times and the Collegian, Mass Media
(currently available via Gopher), and Three Mile Island Index. This project will enable in-house
databases, created with microcomputer software, to be converted to LIAS databases which can be
maintained and updated using all the functionality of LIAS. Mass Media will be implemented as the
first of the locally-produced LIAS databases during Fall 1997.
CD-ROM Access. Currently, Libraries CD-ROMs are available on stand-alone workstations, internally
networked installations, and where licensing permits, via telnet. A high priority for both the Libraries
and LCS during the next year will be to make appropriate CD-ROMs available system-wide at the
public LIAS workstations and via remote access.
ACLCP Database. LCS is working with Penn State Harrisburg to make its CAT database records
available via the Associated College Libraries of Central Pennsylvania (ACLCP) union catalog. This
will enable Penn State Harrisburg to participate fully in the consortium, and facilitate reciprocal
borrowing and interlibrary lending from other members of the consortium. New files for addition to the
ACLCP union catalog will be generated each November and May.
PALCI (Pennsylvania Academic Library Connection Initiative). The Penn State University Libraries
is a member of the Pennsylvania Academic Libraries Connection Initiative (PALCI), an organization
of private and public academic libraries that was formed in 1996 to foster cooperation among academic
libraries in Pennsylvania. The first major PALCI initiative is to create a virtual online union catalog
using a Web-based interface to provide Z39.50 searches across multiple vendor systems. Searches will
be conducted concurrently, and the system will enable direct borrowing of books by library users from
member libraries. A beta version of the virtual online catalog is expected to be available in October
1997. LCS will support the University Libraries participation in this project by providing
programming to enable PALCI members to borrow and place holds on PSU materials.
Authentication
LCS will continue to work with C&IS in looking for solutions that will allow CIC distance learners to
authenticate and cost-effectively access licensed databases and other resources. One such solution may
be DCE (Distributed Computing Environment.) LCS is also looking at ways to provide authenticated
access to protected IP resources (e.g., Encyclopaedia Britannica) so that Penn State students, faculty
and staff outside the protected IP range can access these resources. Secure Web may be one possible
solution to this problem.
Networked Printing
A joint Libraries/LCS task force has been developing a comprehensive and cost beneficial plan for
printing in a network environment. This is a particularly critical issue for the users since very few of
the public LIAS workstations have local printers. The Libraries and LCS plan to implement a
networked printing solution, and begin charging for printing at public workstation by January 1998 at
the latest.
3.0 CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT (CQI) ACTIVITIES
Two LCS staff continued to serve on CQI teams. Wayne Stump served on the University Libraries
Equipment Review team which recently phased in the new CQI-developed process for equipment
procurement and installation, while Dace Freivalds continued to serve as LCS' representative to the
C&IS CQI Council.
4.0 STAFF ACTIVITIES
LCS experienced its first "chair ceremony" this year as Eric Ferrin, LCS Director, celebrated
twenty-five years with Penn State University.
Travel, Training, etc.
Eric Ferrin
Sylvia Carson and Jack Orlandi
Kurt Baker, Tom Irwin, and Janis Mathewson
Dace Freivalds and Jeff Shawver
APPENDICES
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Updated: 9/1/97