4. Electronic Access Report Joyce Lynn Schaffer, Montclair State University 1 This paper covers two major aspects of electronic services that must be developed in order for the Library to serve the access and training needs of the University communities in dealing with electronic resources whether issued by commercial enterprises or by government agencies. 2 The Library must institute these two programs to meet its obligation under its agreements with the Federal Depository Library Program and the State Depository Library Program. By July 1997, the Federal government will complete its transition to electronic dissemination of resources via CD-ROM, electronic bulletin boards and World Wide Web sites. The State of New Jersey is currently developing WWWeb sites for its agencies and is expected to follow the model that is being set by the Federal government, albeit much more slowly. 3 The Federal government has established minimum standards that will be used in the Federal Depository Library Program inspection process. The New Jersey Depository Library Program is expected to issue similar standards as the State program moves more toward access via the WWWeb. 4 On January 24, 1996, the American Library Association developed an Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights on Electronic Access which will have additional impact on the service and access obligations of this Library. In addition, the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) impacts on this library under its obligations to both depository pro grams (Federal and State) in that the handicapped can not be denied access to electronic publications or training in the use of these materials solely because they are handicapped (blind, partially-sighted, wheelchair-bound). 5 Although this proposal has been developed in response to recent changes in the dissemination of resources released by the Federal government and anticipated changes in those of the State government and is an outgrowth of the work being done by the Documents Department, the multi-disc jukebox is intended to provide access to electronic services purchased by the Reference and Periodicals departments of the library as well as those high-reference databases obtained from the two depository library programs. In addition, the electronic classroom is designed with an eye toward the full implementation of the bibliographic instruction program envisioned by the Reference Department. 6 Because of the breadth of this proposal, it is recommended that purchasing, installation, and implementation be done jointly with the Office of Academic Computing and Technology (XXXXX XXXXXXXX) and the Media Center (XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX). Both Dr. XXXXXXXX and Mr. XXXXXXXXX have already expressed interest in working on these projects and have served as resources for some of the ideas. 7 The Reference Department currently provides LAN access to commercial indexes and abstracts available in CD-ROM format; however, this service is limited to use within the Reference Department and to hours the Library is open. Reference also provides access to various online searching resources through a librarian designated to do such searches. The Library's online catalog is available at stations throughout the library, through dial-in via the VAX system campus-wide, via the Internet through an enhancement on the VAX system and VAX workstations, and through the Library Home Page at workstations linked via EtherLink cards to the OACT Novell net worked computer labs. Patrons with access to the WWWeb via browsers (Netscape, Mosaic, MS Explorer) can also access the online catalog. 8 The Documents Department currently provides access to Federal electronic resources through (1) individual appointments for the use of CD-ROMs and (2) circulation of CD-ROMs through the Non-Print Department. The Acquisitions Department has purchased some commercially-produced CD-ROM and software programs which are also available for circulation through the Non-Print Department. Those CD-ROMs that circulate can be used in the computer lab in the Library or on any personal computer equipped with a CD-ROM reader in the patron's home or office. 9 Training in the use of the commercial CD-ROM index and abstract resources is currently done only on a one-on-one basis as part of the reference interview. Training in the use of government-issued electronic resources has been done by the Documents Department on a one-on-one basis, by appointment, since March 1992. Since the Fall semester 1995, the Documents Department has provided hands-on training in the teaching labs available on campus and full-class lecture-style demonstrations in the Non-Print classrooms. The hands-on workshops have enabled each participant to work with a different issue of the same database; the lectures made use of the Department's personal PC connected to a LCD-panel coupled with an overhead projector. 10 The Library Home Page was recently launched. Subordinate departmental home pages are expected to follow. Links are planned to the most useful Internet, WWWeb, bulletin board, and subscription online services. Currently, the Documents Department works with individual researchers one-on-one in accessing WWWeb resources, as needed, on the office PCs. 11 All of these efforts to meet the access and training needs of the University fall short of the service goals envisioned by the Library in that they are limited to department-specific staffing and hours, small LANs or stand-alone PC workstations, and IBM-compatible PC workstations equipped with CD-ROM readers. These efforts need to be consolidated and made interactive in order for their full service potential to be realized. In addition, the Documents Department's hands on labs and lectures in the use of the CD-ROMs is not the most efficient way in which to handle training. The hands-on labs have students using obsolete editions of the CD-ROMs, which often don't have same software and enhancements shown at the teaching station, which has the latest disc. In addition, the instructor needs to halt the presentation to correct a student error at the student workstation. The use of the LCD-panel/overhead in the Non-Print classrooms requires that the room be darkened in order for the screen to be viewed, making it difficult for students to see the handout and the assistant working the computer to see the keyboard to activate the command; and the size of the print of the projection screen is too small for a large class to view comfortably. 12 Optimal access to electronic library resources can only be accomplished through a multi-faceted program which must include the following aspects interlinked: 1. Local Area Networking (LAN) 2. Campus-Wide Networking (WAN) 3. Home Page Services with Links to Resources 3a. Library LANs 3b. Internet/WWWeb Sites 3c. Subscription-based Dial-in Services and Bulletin Boards 3d. Access to Campus WANs 4. Circulation of Electronic Resources 5. Training Programs NETWORKED ACCESS 13 Most immediately and easily accomplished is the purchase and installation of a 150-disc or larger jukebox to service the government-issued CD-ROMs and commercial CD-ROM subscriptions. The pricing on one jukebox [Micro Design International] with software that the manufacturer claims works with the agency-produced software resident on government-issued CD-ROMs is currently reasonable; the normal pricing of $24,000 is reduced until the end of October to $13,329.99. The SCSI Express software listed in this appendix is able to provide simultaneous access to CD-ROMs from PC and MAC environments. Therefore, all the machines currently in the OACT Computer Lab in the Library (14 PCs and 14 MACs) would be able to access CD-ROMs placed in this jukebox without any additional programming. Currently, only three PCs in this lab are equipped with external CD-ROM readers and these are either in regular use or out-of-service, thus limiting access to the CD-ROMs currently in circulation. A number of faculty use MACs in their offices, as well, and would have access to these databases without difficulty. This is a definite advantage over the current configuration since most government-issued CD-ROM products are usable only on the PC; very few can be used on both the MAC and PC. 14 A breakdown of the standard pricing for the Micro Design International jukebox, as obtained via e-mail from the vendor in February 1996, is: 1 CD-ROM Jukebox 19,995.00 150-disc capacity (3 50-disc magazines) 4 quad-speed drives 1 SCSI Express Software Package 3,995.00 Novell network compatible. DOS, MAC, OS/2, UNIX access provided via NFS file format. 1 SCSI Express License n/c Current release provides an unlimited user license. TOTAL HARDWARE/SOFTWARE COST 23,990.00 AT STANDARD PRICING 15 If we were to purchase this system prior to October 31, 1996, we would be able to obtain the system at the current special sale price of $13,329.99, realizing a savings of $10,660 (rounded). A copy of the brochure received from Micro Design International is included in the folder. Recent e-mail communication with the distributor [Ray Jones, Education Accounts Manager, BTG, Inc.; Washington, D.C.; 800-899-6200 x-7082; rjones@btg.com@WINS] has revealed that 20 jukeboxes are currently in stock. The Jukebox stock number is AC150CD40-B. In addition, the special price will be valid "while supplies last." More information can be obtained at the company website: http://www.mdi.com. 16 Because the jukebox needs to be located close to its server, it is recommended that it be housed in the security cage in the existing Computer Lab in the Library and, after the Library Electronic Teaching Lab is built, that it be moved to that lab's security cage. Maintenance is expected to be done by both the Office of Academic Computing and the Documents Department, as the possible primary user, with the OACT providing the technical support as needed to solve software snags that might develop as new editions of CD-ROM titles are issued and with the Documents Department installing updated discs as they arrive. 17 The following referrals were provide by Micro Design International concerning their jukebox. Andy Rilling, my contact, tried to concentrate more on local referrals but stated that Brigham Young University, Indiana University, and the University of Michigan have also purchased the jukebox and are happy with it. Andy is obtaining contact names of people working with the system at these locations so that our more technical questions can be answered by the users them selves. 1. Subject: RE: CD Jukebox Date sent: Tue, 20 Jun 1995 08:20:39 The College of Law purchased a 150 CD-ROM jukebox last month from Micro Design International, makers of SCSI Express. It contains 4 quad-speed CD-ROM drives. We are in the process of filling it with legal stuff and so far, are quite impressed. Neatest feature of all is that all 150 CDs can be mapped to a single volume/drive letter!! Mark Bergeron 325-392-0417 Bergeron@law.ufl.edu 2. Larry Woods 609-258-5212 Princeton University 3. Patric O'Brien 908-549-5601 Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith, Ravin & Davis x5790 Iselin NJ 4. Rod Patton 407-240-3863 Attorneys Title Insurance x472 Orlando FL 5. Scott Muir 205-348-2299 University of Alabama 6. Martha Shirley 205-348-2097 University of Alabama 7. Ron Witt 414-347-6353 MGIC Milwaukee, WI 8. John Ferguson 313-764-7564 University of Michigan 18. Questions to be asked of the referrals from Micro Design International concerning their 150-disc jukebox with SCSI Express software are: 1. Can the system handle the different software challenges presented by databases released by Federal, State, and commercial sources? 2. What type of support does the company offer in resolving software problems if they do occur? 3. Has it been necessary to write special batch commands for the various discs or has Micro Design provided upgraded software to accommodate new discs as they were released? If the latter, what has been the lag time in obtaining upgrades? What costs have been associated with the upgrades, if any? 4. Can the system be readily accessed from multiple locations, such as machines in two computer labs in the library, machines in the Reference and Documents departments, machines anywhere on campus, and users dialing-in from home? 5. How many simultaneous hits can each CD-ROM drive take? 6. Will links from the Library Home Page be transparent to the user? 7. What type of warranty and service contracts come on the system? 19. In addition to these electronic resources being available in the computer labs in the Library, access to these databases should be provided via the Library Home Page site through departmental (Reference, Documents, etc.) home page links which dial in to the jukebox. This would enable faculty to access these resources from their office computers and students to dial in through any of the computer labs on campus. Additionally, anyone with a modem would also be able to dial in from any computer off campus equipped with a WWWeb browser. 20. The current Reference Novell LAN could be removed, with the CD-ROM database subscriptions maintained in the jukebox. Reference workstations would then be able to dial in to the jukebox to access index tools and databases. Or, the Reference CD-ROM tower could be relocated to the computer lab with the same dial-in capability. All lab machines would also then have access. 21. Oracle has a new product on the market - the Network Computer (NC). This NC is a product the Library should investigate in lieu of purchasing PC workstations as replacements for the VAX terminals. They are expected to be priced significantly lower than the PC - list price has been estimated at $500/$600 in reviews - and they access networks such as the one in the computer lab, the VAX system, and the Internet/WWWeb readily. All programming is on the network so that the space occupied by the NC is minimal, making it ideal for the OPAC stations. And, more of them can be placed strategically in the study carrels around the Library. From a service point of view, any student having trouble with a program while working on a distant NC, could log off and see a reference librarian, documents librarian, computer lab technician, or a faculty expert - depending on the type of problem being encountered. This would make access to all the electronic resources on campus, not just Library programs, available to each patron in a truly open environment for independent research. The quote inset below is from the Oracle website and indicates that the system can be used with existing networks: 22. Given the current bandwidth limitations of the World Wide Web (WWW), the primary initial market for the NC will be corporations and other large organizations with powerful MIS infrastructures. Here, instead of using the WWW as the transport mechanism, large numbers of NCs will be integrated into the corporate Web or an existing LAN. The NC will suffice for most users, whose computing tasks are limited to e-mail, word processing and Web access. And the NC will peacefully coexist on the same networks with the conventional PCs required by power users. http://oracle.com 23 Another advantage of using the NC is that, since it is net worked, the individual workstations would not need modems since access to the WWWeb would be via the Novell network using Netscape or via the VAX system using Telnet, Gopher, etc. Some machines would need to be equipped with modems for dial-in to bulletin boards or online search services (DIALOG and MEDLINE) which are not accessible via Internet/WWWeb; Reference may wish to keep such services as they are currently so that access remains through a search moderator (Reference Librarian). Those services requiring the payment of annual service fees (STAT-USA) which have access via WWWeb can, of course, be accessed without modems. 24 The NC is expected to have another great advantage over the PC: there will be no programming required each time a new resource is added to the LAN to which it links except at the server and jukebox. And, software programs needed to operate the electronic resources are resident on the server, not at each individual workstation, since the NC is designed to operate on networked software using networked resources. This would represent a major improvement for the Library in that there would be no need for Library staff to spend time solving hardware or software-related problems while handling the reference interview. Information obtained from the Oracle website states: 25 The local OS will be reloaded, transparently to the user, every time the NC is booted. The end user will be dealing with a new interface, a dynamic browser that will replace today's PC desktop. When the NC is turned on and the user is identified, a custom home page will appear with information and communications for that user. There will be access to messaging (e-mail, Video Mail, etc.), WWW, games, agent-based information (personal stock ticker, personal news, etc.). And all from an interface that is easier to use than the current generation of web browsers. Your home page will follow you wherever you go, since all the information is stored on the server. http://oracle.com 26 However, a word of caution is needed concerning the Network Computer. The Library will have to determine if support for its NCs is to be done through the Office of Academic Computing and Technology (OACT) which primarily operates on Novell networks or the Office of Administrative Computing (OAC) which operates on a VMS/VAX system. Since the NC relies on a network to store all data, including that written by the user, each student would need an Apollo account so that information retrieved from the WWWeb could be sent to his account. Currently, no active effort is made by the OAC to ensure that each student on admission receives an Apollo account. Unfortunately, the VAX system will not support the pictures and graphics seen on the WWWeb. 27 In March 1990, the Documents Librarian, as a member of the Library Committee for Automated Research Support Services, met with XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, the Vice President for Administrative Computing. At that time the Library was advised that a CD-ROM carousel would be ready shortly to make access to our Reference CD-ROMs available via the VAX system. We were further advised that "there are no limits to the amount of CD-ROMs that can be set up. Putting in a 20-30 disc setup would probably cost about $150,000, most of it equipment costs. Those databases that are not on CD-ROM can be converted to CD-ROM; the Center is planning to purchase a machine to produce CD-ROMs from any form of database, floppy or magnetic tape." It should be noted that this price is either unrealistic or excessive; the 150-disc jukebox is more economical. In addition, the 40-disc carousel has been in test mode for some time [according to reliable sources] with very few discs resident. It was Mr. XXXXXXXX's opinion that "the Library would remain in control of the updating/downloading schedule, which the Computer Center would implement via automated downloading programs. There would have to be one librarian and one Computer Center person designated as coordinators of the project to work out all the parameters. Once a description and goals are set, the Library and the Center can build the system." He felt this to be a feasible project that would have to be implemented in stages. Mr. XXXXXXXXX added that all he needed to get started was a list of vendor phone numbers and contact people for all dial-up services and CD-ROM subscriptions. Any online subscription can be re viewed to see if it can be accessed via Internet to be more cost effective than accessing via phone line. The Library should explore the feasibility of putting non-graphic reference indexing and abstracting research databases on the VAX system via this carousel. 28 [Internal operating matter] 29 The non-University patron would, unfortunately, not have an Apollo account to save information located via the WWWeb. The remote NCs or PCs would have to provide an option, via the network, to allow the non-University patron to send information to his own e-mail address. Of course, if the patron had his own access to the WWWeb, he would not need to access it via the Library's machines unless he were accessing items with dial-in license restrictions requiring University IDs. Those non-University patrons without personal access to the WWWeb can be directed to their local public libraries or, in the case of Federal and State government sites, to the Documents Librarian. The Reference and Documents departments would have to maintain PCs to enable the non-University patron to access those materials the Library is obligated to provide to the public under its agreements with the Federal Depository Library Program and the New Jersey State Depository Library Program. 30 The ideal networked environment would provide NCs in numerous locations throughout the Library building, not just in the computer labs. The study carrels throughout the second floor and in the Faculty/Graduate Student Study Room should be equipped with NCs or PCs linked to the network. To ensure that NCs or PCs in remote locations are not left idling, time-out exit.bats can be programmed to shut the machines down if a patron leaves the machine. 31 If the Library does not want to spend money on remote NCs or PCs, it should consider wiring the study carrels with Ether net connections so that patrons with laptops with EtherLink cards can plug in to the network. This will facilitate research and report-writing when the labs are overflowing. Carrying this one step further, EtherLink equipped laptops can be charged out to patrons from the Non-Print Department. Once again, non-University patrons would not be able to obtain these lap-tops since they would be lacking ID cards. These people would, again, have to be referred to their local public libraries or, in case they want access to Federal and State government sites, to the Documents Librarian. 32 While most of the networked NCs or PCs would likely remain free of restriction, those in the Documents Department Computer Training Room and the Reference Department might be programmed with Netscape bookmarks to limit patron access to those items that are course and reference-related. The University guidelines for responsible computing cover most of the materials that would be encountered on the WWWeb and local public libraries have developed policies that should meet the needs of patrons dissatisfied with any restrictions they may encounter at our Library. [See article in folder entitled "Library's Net Gain: Patrons Can Roam the Web."] 33 As part of the upgrading of the computer capabilities of the Library, it is important that the librarians be provided with computing capabilities that better enable accessing the net worked services of the campus. Currently, upgrades are in progress and department heads are scheduled to receive PCs that will be equipped to access the Novell network, thus enabling simultaneous access to the ALL-in-1 functions and searches on the WWWeb via Netscape. This report, for ex ample, was prepared by copy-and-paste from websites and e-mail correspondence into ALL-in-1 and then exported to Microsoft Word for heavy editing and back again into the ALL-in-1 for final formatting and printing. Limiting the professional staff to the use of only the VAX system and stand-alone (isolated) PC environments will place a severely crippling effect on their creativity and productivity, with an ever-increasing negative impact on the immediate future since the librarians must be able to provide state-of-the-art bibliographic control (technical services), access strategies (public services), and training programs (public services) which can only be accomplished with work environments capable of supporting the current technologies. 34 One cost to factor into this configuration is that of licensing fees to enable access by multiple simultaneous users. Commercial licensing fees can be expensive. Federal agency-created resident software programs are generally not subject to the licensing restrictions imposed by commercial vendors. However, a number of Federal electronic resources are being released with copyrighted, licensed software resident on the discs. These require that licensing agreements be in place prior to the installation of the CD-ROMs into networked environments (LAN or WAN) and also require that one-time multi-user licensing fees be paid. The one-time fees are insignificant - they are well worth the expense for the unlimited right for multi-user simultaneous access and include all upgrades, free. 35 Dial-in limits associated with licensing fees and access restrictions will have to be addressed. These run like yearly subscription charges. The Library will have to determine if access to online subscription databases will be limited to University students, faculty, and administrators or if they will be open to all. Software exists so that the server can limit access to each CD-ROM title based upon the licensing restrictions pertaining to each title. If the number of users exceeds the licensing limit, the patron will receive a message advising him to try again later because the number of people already logged-in exceeds the permitted limit. In addition, software can track how much use each CD-ROM title gets - good for determining if the Library should keep a particular disc resident in a jukebox or remove it and for determining if the Library needs to increase its licensed simultaneous-user access fees. Some university libraries handle this by allowing dial-in access only to those who have university ID numbers and passwords. In most cases, the in-library terminals and workstations provide access without requiring university IDs and passwords. 36 Further costs include those associated with providing dial-in access to online bulletin boards (i.e., STAT-USA), online searching services (i.e., DIALOG, MEDLINE), and commercial value-added sites of research interest (i.e., NewsNet, Predicasts Newsletter Database). These should be looked upon as subscriptions and, as long as reasonable multi-user simultaneous access licensing agreements are available, should be made readily accessible via the Library/Department home page links from all the PC, MAC, NC networked workstations described above. Passwords should be maintained by the system operator of the LAN/WAN to make the log-on process transparent to the Library patron . A number of e-zines (electronically-released periodicals without paper equivalents) should be reviewed for subscriptions if they fall within the guide lines established in the Collection Development Policy. LIBRARY ELECTRONIC TEACHING LAB ROOM 203 37 The primary purpose of the Library Electronic Teaching Lab should be to provide group instruction to Library patrons. When not in use for this purpose, by prior verbal agreement with the Office of Academic Computing and Technology, the lab will be used as a general student computer lab. The Library should guard against permitting its Electronic Teaching Lab to be used by faculty who wish to use the room for computer-related instruction since all of the Colleges are equipped with electronic teaching labs of their own and their faculty have regular access to these rooms through procedures established by their Deans. Therefore, the only faculty to use the room should be our Librarians. Other libraries have been successful in establishing and maintaining strict policies and guidelines concerning the use of their teaching labs; these should be examined as we set forth on this project. 38 The Library Electronic Teaching Lab has many uses, all library-related. They include, but are not limited to, the following instructional applications: 1. Online Catalog [LINC] 2. CD-ROM Index and Abstract Resources in Reference 3. CD-ROM databases of the Federal and State governments 4. Internet/World Wide Web search strategies 5. Course-related Electronic/Bibliographic Instruction 6. New Faculty Orientations 7. Professional and Support Staff Development 8. State and Regional Professional Training Seminars 39 The first four applications should be scheduled on a regular basis, at varied times, so that students and faculty can sign up for instruction on the topic of their choice. This schedule should be posted in the Library, posted to the Library Home Page, and published in the Montclarion and Insight. The fifth application should be limited to those areas of instruction that involve electronic applications; the room should not be used for traditional book-talk bibliographic instruction. The sixth application should be scheduled for at least three hours and provide an overview of the electronic capabilities of the Library, with hands-on training, in each of the major areas. Once the Library is fully networked, as noted earlier in this report, a grand overview could be provided to the new faculty and they can be alerted to the specially scheduled sessions offered in the first four categories. The seventh application should benefit the librarians and support staff (Senior Library Assistants and Principal Library Assistants) as we strive to continue to train ourselves to apply the new technologies to servicing the public. The eighth application will fulfill our commitment to our local professional organizations by offering the room for electronic instruction by experts in the field for seminars sponsored by such organizations as the New Jersey Library Association/Academic Libraries Section; the Documents Association of New Jersey, Inc.; the State Data Center; Special Libraries Association/New Jersey Chapter, 40 Whereas the current OACT Computer Lab in the Library has twelve PCs and twelve MACs, the Library Electronic Teaching Lab must have only twenty-five [25] PCs (one for the teaching podium). The lack of library applications written for the MAC make the installation of MACs in this lab useless. In addition, if the jukebox is installed, the Library Electronic Teaching Lab machines will have access to numerous databases. A MAC user can learn on the PC and, when in another lab or at home, can easily adjust to using the MAC to access the juke box, which provides seamless access to both MACs and PCs. 41 Each PC in the Library Electronic Teaching Lab must be equipped with an internal CD-ROM player. One of the handicaps of the existing OACT Computer Lab is that, while all the MACs have internal CD-ROM players, only three of the PCs have external CD-ROM players. And, these three PCs are inevitably out-of-order or being used by people who haven't checked out a circulating disc. Although the OACT had promised to allow students with a circulating disc to have priority access to these three PCs and to put a special notice on each machine, this has not been done. Demand in the lab is very high and it is difficult for the Lab Tech to bounce someone off a PC who is in the middle of a project when a patron comes in with a disc. As part of the Library's implementation to a more fully electronic environment, it is recommended that the OACT replace its existing PCs with those equipped with internal CD-ROM drives as each machine reaches it retirement age. 42 It should be noted that, although Network Computers [NCs] may be useful in other public-use areas of the Library, they should not be installed in the Library Electronic Teaching Lab where we will need to instruct patrons in the use of traditional downloading, File Transfer Protocols [FTP], and other techniques that require a PC with floppy disk drives to receive the files. In a non-lab situation, a person can always download to a hard disk, assuming there is space available. However, the NC does not provide this capability - it copies only to the remote system server in the disk space provided on that server. In addition, the use of the NC assumes that all work is being done off a server, including all CD-ROMs on a jukebox. This would, of course, cause difficulty with the patron who borrows a disc and then would not be able to use it in the lab. 43 In addition to the Library Electronic Teaching Lab being linked to the 150-disc Micro Design jukebox, it should be linked to the Novell LAN in the Reference Department. The existing OACT Computer Lab should also be linked to the Reference LAN. This linking can most effectively be done by having the Novell CD-ROM tower and the Micro Design jukebox nearest to the servers that will provide network access; therefore, they will need to be housed in one of the labs, preferably the Library Electronic Teaching Lab. The existing OACT Computer Lab should be able to access these servers as well. In addition, all the computer labs and offices on campus should be able to access these servers and, therefore, the dial-in remote addresses should be provided transparently through the Library's Home Page and supplemental Departmental Home Pages. 44 When the Library Electronic Teaching Lab is being used to provide instruction in any one of the databases on either the tower or the jukebox, one of the following methods may have to be employed to (1) stay within the licensed limit for the number of simultaneous users or (2) to facilitate rapid access during the teaching session: 1. Override access to the tower or jukebox for a particular CD-ROM so that it is accessed only through the Library Electronic Teaching Lab. 2. Use a superseded edition of the CD-ROM title as the demo used at the teaching podium. 3. Use multiple superseded editions of the same CD-ROM title for each of the student workstations and at the teaching podium. 4. Use Microsoft PowerPoint presentations in other rooms adequate for that type of presentation, such as the three classrooms in the Non-Print Department. 45 Room 203 presents certain challenges that must be met before the room can be acceptable for use as the Library Electronic Teaching Lab. The room is acoustically unsound; a speaker at the South end of the room can not be heard at the North end. The drone of the HVAC system further adds to this acoustical imbalance. In addition, the room dividers will have to be removed. The second door on the North wall will either have to be removed and the wall rebuilt as a solid wall or the door will have to be kept permanently locked since it presents a security problem. The blackboards or greenboards should be replaced by whiteboards to eliminate chalk dust which will harm the drives of the computers, servers, and CD-ROM towers and jukeboxes. In addition, every safeguard should be taken to prevent water leaks from the roof; one such safeguard is to install seamless rubber or vinyl sheeting into the upper [unseen] ceiling to shunt water off to drains at the perimeter of the room. [This might not be a bad idea for the existing OACT Computer Lab as well.] The blinds should be removed from the windows on the South wall to ensure greater security. 46 Ideally, then, the teaching podium should be positioned midway along the West wall so that the instructor can have full command of the room, both visually and acoustically. Whiteboards should be installed only on the West wall, behind and adjacent to the teaching podium but may not be needed; see discussion below on ComWEB. 47 Additional items that will need to be purchased for the classroom are computers (unless purchased by OACT), servers (unless purchased by OACT), a security cage, a lockable media cabinet (unless obtained as part of the package with ComWEB), tables, chairs (unless the orange chairs in the Documents Department are to be used), a printer to support the VAX system, and a laser printer. 48 The cost of supplying paper to the Library Electronic Teaching Lab should be borne by the OACT when the lab is in general use. In the class setting, most of the use will result in downloading not in printing out materials. The question as to which office should pay for the paper in this lab is a grey area that needs to be addressed. In addition, the cost of paper in some libraries is being borne by the user due to the installation of counters activated by coin boxes. This should be explored for printers located outside the lab environment. 49 In discussions with XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, Director of Media Services, the installation of a teaching podium plus video/data projection system installed in Partridge 211 or College Hall 317 costs between $25,000 and $30,000. Part ridge 211 was put together by XXXXXXXXXXXXX (computers, servers, and printers), the School of Business Administration (furniture), and XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (video and data projection system). While this lab is nice, it has definite drawbacks in that the instructor must go from machine to machine each time a student runs into difficulty; the students must strain to see the projection screen since none of the seats are positioned so that the student faces the screen; images on the screen are subject to fade-out and are difficult to see; there is no interaction between the instructor's demo (on the projection screen) and the students individual workstations; and the students can wander off on tangents rather than staying on target with the pace of the instruction within a database. 50 ComWEBs interactive computer instruction network, called a Computer-Video Webbing System, comes in at a better price - between $22,225 and $27,870, based on the quote received 2/23/96, which still holds per the salesman - and has many more advantages. The system co-exists with the computer network, transparently, until called upon. The instructor can broadcast to all student monitors simultaneously what is being demonstrated on the instructor's computer. During the broadcast mode, all student computers are inoperable to prevent distractions. If needed, any student computer can be used to broadcast to the group to demonstrate a problem or solution. The picture-within-a-picture concept allows the instructor to monitor what is on each student screen without leaving the teaching podium. There is no need for projection systems or screens because each student has his own monitor - like a personal TV set. Any type of platform can be used to broadcast from the teaching podium: PC, CD-ROM, modem, keyboard, VCR, TV set, microphone, without interfering with the operation of the LAN. 51 The following additional equipment can be purchased to enhance the operation of the ComWEB system: 1. Digital Chalkboard which allows free-hand drawing to broadcast from the teaching station. 2. TV Link which allows VHS or real-time TV to be broadcast to each student station. 3. Document Camera which allows a page in a book to be seen clearly by all students on their individual screens. 4. Video Conference to link remote sites. 5. A/V Components to show various media 52 It should be noted that, with the ComWEB Digital Chalkboard, the whiteboard would not be needed in the Library Electronic Teaching Lab. And, using the Digital Chalkboard is much more effective because all the students will have equal ability to view the information, since their computers are their personal chalkboards. 53 Additional information can be obtained by visiting ComWEB's website at http://www.comweb.com. Additional referrals are (1) Blair Brainard [540-831-5000] at the McConnell Library , Radford University who ComWEB states was the first to install the ComWEB system in a classroom dedicated to on-line bibliographic research, and (2) Rachel Gardner [908-571-3400] at the Guggenheim Library at Monmouth University. 54 As we move closer to purchasing the ComWEB system, a site visit to the ComWEB office for a hands-on demonstration should be arranged. Both XXXXXXXXXXX and XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX have expressed interest in joining us in this site visit. Other members of the entourage should be Dr. Judith Hunt, Luis Rodriguez, Patricia Sanders and another reference librarian, Joyce Schaffer, and Anita Daniel. In addition, there are numerous installations mentioned in the documentation received with the quote; site visits and calls should be made to these locations. 55 As the Library moves toward its goal of making electronic media accessible to everyone, equally, it should consider outfitting PCs with talking browsers for the visually impaired. A talking browser called pwWebSpeak is available from Productivity Works [Trenton NJ] and details about the product can be obtained from their website at http://www.prodworks.com. 56 pwWebSpeak reads HTML code and automatically disregards non-HTML content such as graphics and multimedia; it creates large character interpretations of WWWeb pages for partially-sighted users. One of the computers in the Documents Departments Computer Training Room and the first computer in each of the front rows [H on room diagram] of the Library Electronic Teaching Lab should be equipped with this type of program and should be accessible via wheelchair. At least two computers in the existing OACT Computer Lab and one in the Reference Department should also be equipped with this program. Headphones should be purchased for these workstations so that the patrons using the machines don't disturb others. A quote from the company's website shows that the program has broader application: 57 psWebSpeak is an Internet browser designed for users who wish to access the Internet in a non-visual or combined auditory and visual manner. This includes users who cannot be tied to a keyboard or monitor, blind or visually impaired users, users with dyslexia or other learn ing disorders, and users who are learning new languages. 58 Among its many advantages, pwWebSpeak also supplies support for tables, client-side images, and forms to allow full user interaction with applications and search engines on the WWWeb, including Alta Vista, Yahoo, and InfoSeek. Reading speeds are adjustable. It includes support for such functions as e-mail, listening to audio clips, listening to the audio track of video clips. The program also allows the user to save WWWeb pages locally in either HTML or straight text formats. 59 A Windows-based program, pwWebSpeak has the following hardware and software requirements: 1. Windows 3.1 or higher 2. 3 Mb Hard Disk Space 3. 8 Mb Memory 4. Speech Synthesizer Compatible synthesizers are listed at their website. 5. Active Internet connection 60 pwWebSpeak software needs to be supported by the installation of a speech synthesizer and a sound card. The same vendor has the SoftVoice speech synthesizer which runs on Windows 3.1, 3.11, and 95, and uses either a SoundBlaster or compatible sound board; it works on multi-media machines and laptops. A sample of SoftVoice can be heard at their web site. This product cost $65 and site licensing is available. 61 Thomas Edison State College [Trenton NJ] is the first educational institution to procure a campus-wide license for pwWebSpeak. Since Thomas Edison specializes in distance learning, pwWeb-Speak is enabling them to service the visually impaired student via the Internet. 62 Productivity Works is also available as consultants in general software tools for universal access to electronic resources. They have daily and fixed-price charging structures, depending on the project being proposed. More information is available at their website. Numerous third party reviews and articles are listed at their website and a review can also be found at the C|Net Central website at http://www.cnet.com. In addition, numerous test sites are listed at the company website who could be called for evaluation of the product. Also at the website is a list of articles, papers, presentations, and other websites on Universal Accessibility. 63 One library, Florida Atlantic University [Boca Raton FL] is using a DECtalk PC package that contained a special keyboard, a speech synthesizer board, and an external loudspeaker from DIGITAL Equipment Corp. The monitor they are using is a NEC/MultiSync 5D, 19 Diagonal - oversized to accommodate large letters. This computer is wired in with the rest of the machines on their Novell LAN (17 workstations with 30 databases). More information can be obtained from DIGITAL at: Vision Impaired Information Service DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORP., INC. 110 Spit Brook Road Nashua NH 03062 603-881-1831 64 Florida Atlantic University also uses screen access software for IBM PC called Vocal-Eyes. This product is available from: GW Micro, Inc. 310 Racquet Drive Fort Wayne Indiana 46285 219-483-3625 65 As noted earlier, the Library Electronic Teaching Lab should be used primarily for instruction in electronic resources. It is well-known that attempting to teach access to the WWWeb by dialing in live during a class presentation often results in delays or failure because of traffic jams on the information highway. In the Spring 1996 semester, the Documents Librarian began using the Non-Print classrooms for demonstrations of the National Trade Data Bank to classes using the PC-LCD panel-overhead projector setup. In addition, a presentation on the use of Census materials was done in a Non-Print classroom using an opaque projector. The setup with the opaque projector left a great deal to be desired: the machine had a tendency to overheat, scorching the sheets; it was noisy and put out a great deal of heat; the projection of statistics on the screen was not legible; it was quite cumbersome. This semester the Documents Librarian is preparing new presentations on the use of the Census, including information from the Census Bureau website; a first-time tailor-made presentation for Independent Owned and Franchised Retailing; and a revised presentation for Import/ Export Marketing. These new and revised presentations will be using Microsoft PowerPoint on a PC or laptop, coupled with a LCD panel and overhead projector. It is anticipated that the PowerPoint slides will show the highlights of the web sites in adequate graphics with simple instructions in concise text. PowerPoint presentations can be done in any of the Non-Print classrooms and in the Reference Bibliographic Instruction Room, pending availability. It may be beneficial to equip one of the classrooms with a video/data ceiling projection system to make presentations such as these easier. In addition, faculty have recently made requests to do classroom presentations on the use of certain commercial CD-ROMs they have purchased; these rooms would be ideal for their use when a full-lab hands-on session isn't needed. 66 As the Library develops a more comprehensive bibliographic instruction program, it should also consider improving the Non-Print Department classrooms. They are poorly ventilated and have inadequate electrical outlets. The lighting has limited control so that the students must sit in complete darkness in order to see the screen and, therefore, can't take notes; or the lighting can be left partially on, with the lowest setting too bright, so that nothing can be seen on the screen! In addition, the screens in the rooms are awkward to use. These rooms should each be outfitted with more electrical outlets; better lighting controls; a 486+/Pentium PC with CD-ROM drive, EtherLink card, and Microsoft Office; and EtherNet connections. In addition, the Non-Print Department should purchase an LCD panel so that one does not have to be borrowed from the Media Department for each presentation. These upgrades could be phased in at one per fiscal year, if budget constraints exist, so that these rooms can be more fully utilized in the general bibliographic instruction program of the Library. When not in use by either the librarians or the faculty, the rooms should be kept locked. An alternative upgrade would be to purchase one PC as described above and one LCD panel for scheduling with classes as needed; classes would have to be scheduled based on equipment and room availability, as they are now. 67 The Technical Services applications are not to be overlooked. The VAX system currently supports the Library Online Catalog (LINC). Currently available in MARC records are imbedded hot links to websites. Those books, documents, and electronic resources that have simultaneous release via the WWWeb should be hot linked via our Online Catalog enabling anyone using the VAX system to go directly to a website from our catalog simply by clicking on the hot link provided in the MARC record. The Permanent Uniform Resource Locator (PURL) Progam is working with the Library of Congress and the Government Printing Office to ensure that these hot links remain constant. In addition, the Library should explore cataloging and hot linking those websites that are also available via the Library home page to broaden access for those people who only have access via the VAX system. 68 In addition, those bulletin board and online service subscriptions (STAT-USA, NewsNet, etc.) maintained by the Library by links from home pages should also be cataloged and hot linked from the Online Catalog. Also, e-zines provided as periodical subscriptions should be considered as any other serial the Cataloging Department enters into the Online Catalog for the Periodicals Department and be hot linked as well. 69 This is a full-scale picture of a fully-networked Library - a library virtually without walls. The installation of the Micro Design 150-disc jukebox and the design, construction, and outfitting of the Library Electronic Teaching Lab are doable in the near future. And, they are much needed, in fact sorely overdue. The other considerations - computer workstations and Ethernet jacks in carrels and tying all Novell networks together on campus and enhancing those functions available via the VMS/VAX system - will have to be phased in carefully with the support (and perhaps joint funding from) the Office of Academic Computing and Technology and the Office of Administrative Computing. 70 It is hoped that this report covers the major concerns related to upgrading of the electronic services that should be offered by this Library. Additional research can be done as particular ideas are moved to "project status" for implementation.