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- LIBRARY RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET:
- STRATEGIES FOR SELECTION AND USE
-
-
-
-
- Reference and Adult Services Division
-
- Machine-Assisted Reference Section
-
- Direct Patron Access to Computer-Based Reference Systems Committee
-
-
-
- Edited by:
- Laine Farley
-
-
-
- Contributors:
-
- Mary Engle
- Gregory Finnegan
- Eddy Hogan
- Lee Jaffe
- Sally Wayman Kalin
- Jo Kibbee
- Karen Snure
- Roy Tennant
- Paige Weston
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Acknowledgements
-
-
-
-
- This project grew from initial discussions at the Direct Patron Access
- Committee's meetings at the 1990 annual meeting in Chicago when the
- Committee was chaired by Peggy Seiden. Committee members contributed
- their expertise and ideas for the structure of the guide, and wrote
- or compiled sections. Committee members included:
-
- Laine Farley, 1989-1991 (Chair, 1990-1991)
- Greg Finnegan, 1989-1991
- Eddy Hogan, 1987-1991
- Lee Jaffe, 1988-1991
- Sally Wayman Kalin, 1989-1991
- Jo Kibbee, 1990-1991
- E. Paige Weston, 1987-1991
- Karen Snure, 1990-1991
- Roy Tennant, 1988-1991
-
- The Committee thanks ad hoc volunteers Mary Engle for writing the
- section on technical tips, and reviewing other sections, and Sue
- Dentinger for reviewing several sections.
-
- The Committee also acknowledges the interest and suggestions offered by
- a number of PACS-L participants, and members of OPAC vendor user groups
- who reviewed entries in Appendix B.
-
-
- Laine Farley, editor
-
-
-
-
- LIBRARY RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET:
- STRATEGIES FOR SELECTION AND USE
-
-
- TABLE OF CONTENTS
-
-
- Acknowledgements
-
- Introduction: Scope and Purpose of the Guide
-
- Section 1: Getting There From Here
-
- . The Internet: Some Background Information
- . How to Get Started
- . References
-
- Section 2: Why Search Library Catalogs Via the Internet?
-
- Section 3: Road Maps and Travel Guides
-
- . The Road Maps: Sources for Identifying Library Catalogs on the Internet
- . The Travel Guides: Sources for Selecting Library Catalogs
-
- Section 4: Using Systems Successfully--Survival Tips
-
- . Making and Breaking the Connection -- Technical Tips
- . Search Strategies -- Understanding System Basics
- . Beyond the Basics -- Discovering the Real Power of an Online Catalog
-
- Section 5: What Else is Out There--Other Online Resources
-
- . Companion Databases to Online Catalogs
- . Campus-Wide Information Systems
- . Specialized Databases
-
- Appendix A: Libraries and Network Resources Bibliography
-
- Appendix B: System Models
-
- Appendix C: Glossary
-
- INTRODUCTION: Scope and Purpose of the Guide
-
- The analogy of a superhighway has been used to describe the emerging
- system of networked computers known as the Internet, which connects
- research and educational institutions nationally and internationally.
- Libraries were one of the first institutions to set up shop along this
- superhighway, beckoning travellers to their electronic doorways to
- explore bibliographic riches in a new guise--the online public access
- catalog, also known as the OPACs.
-
- The lack of reliable road maps and informative travel guides
- initially made this journey appealing only to the intrepid. Many
- groups currently are working to establish consistent and reliable
- sources of information about resources on the Internet. This guide
- seeks to give users practical information about identifying and using
- one type of resource--library catalogs on the Internet.
-
- Because new systems are being connected to the Internet almost daily,
- the guide does not describe individual library catalogs. Rather, it
- gives examples of types of library systems and companion resources,
- identifies directories and other sources for locating currently
- available systems, and relates strategies used by experienced
- searchers to make the most of exploring new resources. The guide
- provides a general approach that can be followed by any user, or by
- librarians for their clientele, in producing a more customized guide
- to specific systems. You can use it as a sort of erector set or kit,
- including the parts of most value to your interests, and filling in
- the details for your own situation.
-
- We recognize that library catalogs are not the only valuable resource
- on the Internet. One of the major benefits of the Internet for
- users is that all sorts of resources, such as specialized scientific
- databases, regional business information, and curriculum resources,
- have much higher visibility now that a common structure links them
- together. A few of these resources are briefly described in Section 5
- and some generalizations made about categories (although they defy
- categorization, even by a group of librarians). For several reasons,
- we have chosen not to explore further this intriguing area. These
- resources are much more difficult to identify and understand. They
- lack even the surface commonalities that library catalogs share. And,
- since our committee's life span was coming to an end, we decided to
- limit the scope of our project to something we could finish. We hope
- that other groups will pursue this area in the future.
-
-
-
- SECTION 1: GETTING THERE FROM HERE
-
- Whether you plan to become a full network participant or want to use
- the network only for reaching other library catalogs, it is useful to
- understand the basic network organization and the services it
- provides.
-
- THE INTERNET: SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION
-
- The Internet is a network of hundreds of computer networks spanning
- the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia (Quarterman, 1990 and
- LaQuey, 1990). This vast interconnection of computers provides an
- unparalleled infrastructure for resource sharing. An Internet user
- can connect to a computer on the other side of the world as quickly
- and easily as if it were in the next room. Mail messages can be
- delivered to any of thousands of individual mail boxes in dozens of
- countries. Large computer files can be transferred quickly with a few
- brief commands. These capabilities are bringing a vast array of
- resources to our desktops at little or no charge to users.
-
- Since the Internet is comprised of separately administered networks,
- Internet support tasks are accomplished by cooperative arrangements.
- Two major Network Information Centers (SRI International and Bolt,
- Beranek and Newman) provide direct support to network users by making
- network documents and other information available, by keeping track of
- network hosts, and other services. The Internet Activities Board and
- its subsidiaries coordinate Internet design, engineering and
- management (Cerf, 1990). The Coalition for the National Research and
- Education Network is working to develop a National Research and
- Education Network (NREN) which would provide more interconnectivity
- and much higher communication speeds than the U.S. Internet currently
- provides (Coalition..., 1989). The Coalition for Networked
- Information was recently formed by the Association of Research
- Libraries, CAUSE, and EDUCOM to promote the provision of information
- resources on existing networks and on proposed interconnected
- networks.
-
- Internet Protocols
-
- If disparate computer systems are to communicate, they must be able to
- understand and respond predictably to other machines. This is accomplished
- by requiring that each machine on a network support a particular set of
- protocols, or agreements on how certain basic functions are to be handled.
- For the Internet, these protocols are presently the Transmission Control
- Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite of protocols (Hedrick, 1987).
- In the future, the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) protocols of the
- International Standards Organization (ISO) may supplant TCP/IP as the
- glue that holds the Internet together. TCP/IP provides for three basic
- services: electronic mail, remote login and file transfer.
-
- Internet Services
-
- All three of the major services provided by the Internet protocols may
- come in handy for the Internet explorer. The remote login service,
- described below, that makes it possible to connect to other library
- catalogs on the Internet.
-
- . Remote Login: The TELNET command initiates a connection to a remote
- machine over the Internet. It allows you to log in to a distant
- computer and use it as if your terminal were directly connected.
- This function is described in more detail in Section 3, "Using
- Systems Successfully".
-
- . File Transfer: The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) of the TCP/IP protocol
- suite allows users to transfer files quickly from machine to
- machine on the Internet. It is possible to transfer files in
- various formats, which allows you to retrieve software programs,
- graphic images, and other files which are not ASCII text. Since
- a particular set of commands must be used to perform these
- tasks, it is best to refer to specific instructions (Bowers,
- 1990). Many of the directories of resources on the Internet and
- other networking information are available via FTP.
-
- . Electronic mail: E-mail is a fast, easy, and cheap way to communicate
- with persons on the network around the world. It is possible to
- send messages or files to another user on the same network or
- through a "gateway" to a different network such as BITNET. As
- you explore library catalogs on the Internet, this function may
- be used to contact people responsible for online library
- catalogs for information about a catalog's contents or other
- services.
-
-
-
- HOW TO GET STARTED
-
- If you are affiliated with an academic or special library, you should
- check with your computer staff to see if your organization is
- connected to the Internet. Users at other locations may need to
- establish a computer account at a local college or university that
- offers Internet connectivity. Some online catalogs provide a
- connection to other selected catalogs on the Internet as an option
- from the local catalog. The CARL system in Colorado, Dartmouth
- College, and the University of California's MELVYL System are examples
- of this alternative. These online catalogs may offer a limited
- selection of systems, but make it easier to get started since a
- computer account is probably not necessary. Some systems will also
- handle any login instructions for you, so that you don't have to know
- how to use Telnet commands or remember login sequences.
-
- To get started "internetworking", there are several good beginning sources.
- Britten (1990) offers a good brief overview of both BITNET and the
- Internet for librarians, and his "networkography" lists some excellent
- sources. An overview not directed at librarians is offered by Krol (1989).
- For the most authoritative source on network resources, obtain the National
- Science Foundation's Internet Resource Guide (1989). The essential
- bibliography of Internet information is Bowers, et.al. (1990).
-
- No matter how much you read, however, there is no substitute for your
- own experience. If you have access to the Internet you should take the
- plunge and start using the three functions offered to network users.
- Electronic mail, remote login, and file transfer have already proven to
- be important tools for many users. In the future, the ability to
- use computer networks effectively will be a fundamental skill required
- to satisfy basic information needs.
-
- REFERENCES
-
- Bowers, Karen, et. al. FYI on Where to Start - A Bibliography of
- Internetworking Information. Network Working Group, Request for
- Comments 1175, August, 1990. [Available via FTP on host nic.ddn.mil,
- directory rfc:, filename RFC1175.TXT]
-
- Britten, William A. "BITNET and the Internet: Scholarly Networks for
- Librarians." C&RL News, 51(2) (February 1990): 103-107.
-
- Cerf, Vinton. The Internet Activities Board. Network Working Group,
- Request for Comments 1160, July 1990. [Available via FTP on host
- nic.ddn.mil, directory rfc:, filename RFC.1160.TXT]
-
- Coalition for the National Research and Education Network. NREN: The
- National Research and Education Network. Washington, DC: Coalition
- for the National Research and Education Network, 1989.
-
- Hedrick, Charles. Introduction to the Internet Protocols. Piscataway, NJ:
- Rutgers University Computer Science Facilities Group, July 3, 1987.
- [Available via FTP on host topaz.rutgers.edu, directory
- pub/tcp-ip-docs, filenames tcp-ip-intro.doc or tcp-ip-intro.ps]
-
- Krol, Ed. The Hitchhiker's Guide To the Internet. Network Working Group,
- Request for Comments 1118, September, 1989. [Available via FTP on
- host nic.ddn.mil, directory rfc:, filename RFC1118.TXT]
-
- LaQuey, Tracy L. User's Directory of Computer Networks. Bedford, MA:
- Digital Press, 1990.
-
- Malkin, G, and A. Marine. FYI on Questions and Answers: Answers
- to Commonly aksed "New Internet User" Questions. Network Working
- Group, Request for Comments 1206, February 1991. [Available via FTP on
- host nic.ddn.mil, direcotry rfc:, filename RFC.1206.TXT, or
- via e-mail request to service@nic.ddn.mil with subject: RFC 1206]
-
- National Science Foundation Network Service Center. Internet Resource
- Guide. Cambridge, MA: NSF Network Service Center, 1989.
- [Available via FTP on host nsc.nsf.net, directory resource-guide, or
- via e-mail request to resource-guide-request@nnsc.nsf.net]
-
- Quarterman, John S. The Matrix: Computer Networks and Conferencing
- Systems Worldwide. Bedford, MA: Digital Press, 1990.
-
-
-
- SECTION 2: WHY SEARCH LIBRARY CATALOGS VIA THE INTERNET?
-
- If you are comfortable with using your local online public access
- catalog (OPAC) and are usually successful in searching it, you may
- wonder why you should risk travelling across the Internet to distant
- systems. Even if perusing other systems does not become a regular
- part of your searching routine, you may find that access to other
- library catalogs is an invaluable resource for specific needs. Some
- of the main reasons for seeking out other systems are listed below.
- Because Internet travel is free or low-cost, you can experiment and
- be creative in your explorations.
-
- A. To use a remote OPAC as a complement to your own OPAC.
-
- A remote system may have different capabilities or features (keyword
- searching, indexed contents notes, etc.), which can help identify
- materials available but not easily identifiable in the local
- system.
-
- A remote system may be available at hours when a local system is not, or
- when the local system is down temporarily.
-
- Students, advanced researchers, and the general public all need to
- verify citations occasionally, as do library staff in reference,
- interlibrary loan, preorder searching, and original cataloging.
-
- Researchers at all levels can identify new materials on a topic, in a
- collection that is stronger than the local collection, or that is
- simply better represented online in a remote system.
-
- B. To evaluate a collection.
-
- Researchers can sample other institutions' collections in preparation
- for research trips, or while away, they can use their home systems.
-
- Academics need help choosing where to go to college or grad school, where
- to spend a sabbatical year, or where to accept a job offer.
-
- Nonacademics need help deciding where to locate a new business, whether to
- fund a grant proposal, or with what institution to establish a contract.
-
- Librarians can coordinate, and library users can benefit from, cooperative
- collection development.
-
- Other libraries' examples can help librarians set local retrospective
- conversion priorities.
-
- C. To use a specialized database.
-
- Some libraries have created special indexes to portions of their
- collections that were not commonly included in their predecessor card
- catalogs. Examples include indexes to song collections, slide
- collections, or local newspapers. See Section 4 for other types of
- databases. Some of the specific reasons to seek out these databases
- include the following:
-
- Researchers in a subject area may find specialized resources not
- available anywhere else (e.g., University of Michigan's Meeman
- Archive on environmental journalism).
-
- Users can search readily available information in electronic form,
- providing more flexibility or better access (e.g., full text of
- Shakespeare plays and sonnets at Dartmouth).
-
- Users needing regional information may discover indexes or even
- full text of local newspapers or statistics (e.g., index to the
- Florida Times-Union at Florida State).
-
- Librarians can answer reference questions using specialized indexes
- or using standard reference works available elsewhere (e.g.,
- Carnegie Mellon's index to architectural illustrations, Choice
- Book Reviews on Colorado's CARL system).
-
- D. To test, evaluate, or play with different system capabilities.
-
- Instructors and librarians can use remote systems to teach users
- the basic concepts of information retrieval, comparing strategies
- and capabilities in different systems.
-
- Librarians, together with their university, city, or corporate
- administrators, can decide which particular online system they
- want to install locally, or can list and rank the system features
- most desirable locally.
-
- People not otherwise interested in bibliographic information management
- can learn about online information management in general, particularly
- since OPACs are explicitly aimed at a wide variety of users.
- A hospital administrator might evaluate a library's strategies for
- integrated information management; system developers for banks,
- airports, retail outlets, etc. might evaluate an OPAC's screen
- design or command structure, to learn what interface features work
- well, or what will be familiar to users.
-
- Librarians and system designers can gain fresh perspectives on what
- works and what is confusing by becoming a "new user" on an unfamiliar
- system.
-
-
-
- SECTION 3: ROAD MAPS AND TRAVEL GUIDES
-
- Experienced travellers usually carry both road maps and travel guides
- since the strengths of each resource are not easily blended into one
- handy tool. The same division of labor prevails in the sources
- currently available for library resources on the Internet. At this
- point, the Internet traveller doesn't even have the option of choosing
- to sacrifice quality for the convenience of having both map and guide
- in the same place. Until an economical and timely way is devised to
- blend the two, the prospective Internet traveler must rely on one set
- of directories to identify resources connected to the Internet, and
- another set of reference sources to determine collection strengths.
-
- The Road Maps: Identifying Library Catalogs on the Internet
-
- Several directories have grown quickly in response to the need to
- identify Internet resources, largely as the result of individual
- interest and effort. Other directories are evolving more slowly
- under the auspices of groups with a stake in promoting the use
- of the Internet and assisting users.
-
- Your local computer center may be willing to subscribe to the guides
- that are available only in electronic format and make the updated
- versions available centrally.
-
- INTERNET-ACCESSIBLE LIBRARY CATALOGS AND DATABASES: Often referred
- to as the St. George directory, this source can probably claim
- to be the most comprehensive directory. It began with
- only library catalogs but has expanded to include sections on
- campus-wide information systems, and even bulletin board systems
- that are not on the Internet. The library catalog sections are
- divided into those that are free, those that charge, and international
- (i.e., non-U.S) catalogs; they are arranged by state, province, or
- country within each section. There is also a section giving
- dialup information for some of the library catalogs.
-
- Its main weakness is the lack of a standard format which makes it
- difficult at times to find the needed information; also, not
- all entries include the same type of data. Its informality
- is also its strength since contributors can provide whatever
- they like and see it appear quickly.
-
- Usually, information includes basic logon information (sometimes a
- copy of the screen giving system prompts and responses is listed),
- a contact person, and sometimes a description of what the catalog
- contains.
-
- The directory is updated periodially and announced on a number
- of listservers such as PACS-L, BI-L, CWIS-L and others. (See
- the articles by Caroline Arms in the bibliography in Appendix A
- for more information about listservers.)
-
- For VAX/VMS systems, it is possible to obtain software for mounting
- the directory. The software makes it easy to select the
- appropriate section of the directory, provides basic information
- about the system when available, summarizes logon and logoff
- commands, and presents the option to initiate a connection. It is
- available via FTP on host sonoma.edu, directory pub, filename
- libs.com. Contact Mark Resmer at resmer@sonoma.edu for more
- information or to be included on a mailing list for future updates.
-
- For IBM-compatible personal computers, a hypertext utility called
- HYTELNET permits easy browsing of the systems listed in the St.
- George directory and those found in the Barron directory described
- below. It is also possible to customize the program by adding
- other sites or updates those sites already listed. This
- memory-resident utility does not initiate a connection, but can be
- a handy replacement for the printed copies of the directories on
- which it is based. It is available via FTP from several hosts
- including wuarchive.wustl.edu, directory mirrors/msdos/hypertext,
- filename hyteln11.zip;1. Contact Peter Scott at
- scott@sklib.usask.ca for further information on retrieving and
- installing the program.
-
- UNT'S ACCESSING ON-LINE BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATABASES: This directory
- is produced by Billy Barron, Systems Manager at the University of
- North Texas, as an aid to his user community. It complements the
- St. George guide by providing a standard format for all systems
- which lists the Internet address, logon instructions, the system
- vendor, and logoff information. The arrangement is alphabetic by
- organization name.
-
- An appendix lists the major OPAC vendors and provides basic search
- instructions for each (use it to update similar information in
- Appendix B of this guide). Separate lists provide contact persons
- for each system, and the numeric Internet addresses, a handy
- reference if your system can use only this form of address rather than the
- domain name.
-
- This directory is also updated periodically and announced on
- library-related listservers.
-
- INTERNET RESOURCE GUIDE: Sponsored by the National Science Foundation
- Network Service Center (NNSC), this directory points to the wider
- world of resources on the Internet. Its section on library catalogs
- is much smaller than either the St. George or Barron guides, but
- some listings contain more descriptive information. Other sections
- cover computational resources, data archives, white pages or
- directory sources for individual network users, networks and
- e-mail gateways, network information centers, and a miscellaneous
- section.
-
- Sections are updated periodically, and it is possible to subscribe
- to the updates.
-
- The directory is mounted as a searchable database on the CARL system
- in Colorado. Issue a Telnet command to pac.carl.org or 192.54.81.128
- and choose the section on Information Databases.
-
-
- "SEARCHING LIBRARY CATALOGS ON THE INTERNET: A SURVEY": UCLA
- librarians Karen Andrews and Aggi Raeder take you through a practical
- tour of the library catalogs on the Internet listed in the St. George
- guide (at the time, about 40 were included). Using a set of standard
- queries, they tested each system and tried to download the results.
- The narrative part of the article gives practical advice for getting
- on, getting help, and getting around in the different systems.
-
- The directory listings at the end of the article include system
- name and Internet address, mailing address, logon procedures,
- type of system, dial-in information when available, library size,
- special features, how to get help, downloading procedure, and
- evaluative comments.
-
- SEARCH SHEETS FOR OPACS ON THE INTERNET: Again using the St. George
- directory as a source, Marcia Henry has compiled detailed information
- on library catalogs using a format similar to the DIALOG Blue Sheets.
-
- Basic logon and logoff information and a brief description of the
- system's contents precede a chart listing commands, indexes, and
- examples of searches.
-
- The book is in press at the time of this writing, but we have seen
- a preview of the entries. The publisher, Meckler, plans to provide
- updates and corrections in its newsletter, Research and Education
- Networking.
-
-
- REFERENCES
-
- Barron, Billy. UNT's Accessing On-Line Bibliographic Databases. Denton, TX:
- University of North Texas, 1991. [Available via FTP on host
- vaxb.acs.unt.edu (129.120.1.4), in directory library]
-
- Henry, Marcia. Search Sheets for OPACS on the Internet. Westport, CT:
- Meckler (in press).
-
-
- National Science Foundation Network Service Center. Internet Resource
- Guide. Cambridge, MA: NSF Network Service Center, 1989.
- [Available via FTP on host nnsc.nsf.net, directory resource-guide, or via
- e-mail request to resource-guide-request@nnsc.nsf.net]
-
- Raeder, Aggi W., and Karen L. Andrews. "Searching Library Catalogs on
- the Internet: A Survey." Database Searcher 6, no. 7 (Sept. 1990): 16-31.
-
-
- St. George, Art and Ron Larsen. Internet-Accessible Library Catalogs and
- Databases. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico, 1991.
- [Available by e-mail message "GET LIBRARY PACKAGE" to
- listserv@unmvm.bitnet]
-
-
-
- The Travel Guides: Sources for Selecting Library Catalogs on the Internet
-
- As more and more electronic resources are networked to end-users,
- questions of selection and choice arise. This poses a classic
- chicken-and-egg problem: an important reason for networking access to
- electronic resources is inadequacies of traditional reference tools,
- but those same sources provide the foundation for choosing to
- connect to one or another OPAC on the Internet. Once past address and
- command-language issues, browsing all the available OPACs is hardly
- efficient. OPAC directories tend to focus on technical questions of
- addresses and compatibilities, with, sometimes, a few notes about
- local resources or notable collection strengths; these are rarely
- comprehensive and are usually written by automation, not
- collection-development specialists. The scholar who already knows,
- say, that the University of Texas at Austin has a flagship Latin
- American studies collection will know to choose it when that subject
- is desired. But how does the novice break in, until such time as
- directories can flag individual OPACs in enough detail? The following
- sources provide some interim assistance. One major caveat applies to
- all of them, however. Older materials in many library collections have
- not yet been converted to a format that can be read by computers, and thus
- many not be represented in online catalogs. Some online catalogs indicate
- how much of the library's collection is included, but others provide no
- warning.
-
- SUBJECT COLLECTIONS: The standard print resource for someone
- confronting questions of "who's strongest in what I want" is Ash
- and Miller's SUBJECT COLLECTIONS (6th ed., 1985.) It's compiled
- from questionnaires sent to libraries, and suffers from the usual
- consequences of that method: entries are often outdated, have gaps
- from non-respondents, and depend on widely varying levels of detail
- supplied to the compilers.
-
- Entries, by Library of Congress Subject Headings, can have glaring
- omissions. Major collections may not be mentioned--"Africa, South"
- includes Stanford/Hoover, but omits the other leading collection,
- at Yale (whose Latin American collection is extensively described
- elsewhere, however.) Worse than omission is partial description.
- The University of Florida's major strength in Latin American
- agriculture is duly noted, but to the exclusion of its equally
- important collection of that region's social science and humanities
- literatures. An apparently frequent routing of the questionnaires
- was to Special Collections administrators, with the misleading
- result that, for example, Africana manuscript collections at
- Columbia and Yale are listed, but outstanding monograph and serial
- collections are not. These special collections are even less likely
- to be found in online catalogs.
-
-
- An unavoidable limitation of SUBJECT COLLECTIONS is that, since the
- latest edition dates from 1985, the present goal of identifying
- electronic access to local catalogs couldn't have been envisioned.
- The would-be Internet OPAC tourist has to juggle the 2-volume
- SUBJECT COLLECTIONS with directories of accessible OPACs. Indeed,
- the work is so oriented to identifying collections within
- traditional library work patterns that it may even shelve in the
- interlibrary loan office, rather than in the open reference
- collection.
-
- COLLEGE BLUE BOOK: This multi-volume work is not specifically about
- libraries, but it is widely available and complements other
- sources. It is completely inclusive of all accredited institutions
- of higher education, and lists degrees awarded by field.
- Institutions awarding a doctorate could be presumed to have
- stronger collections in a given subject than those granting lesser
- degrees. A significant limitation, though, is that fields are
- listed as particular institutions describe them; "Asian
- Civilization" is on a different page from "Asian Studies;" both are
- far from "East Asian Studies" and "Far Eastern Studies." None are
- cross-referenced to each other, yet all must be consulted to
- identify likely candidates for fruitful Internet access (as always,
- after ascertaining which OPACs are on Internet.)
-
- A GUIDE TO PUBLISHED LIBRARY CATALOGS (1982): Bonnie Nelson's
- guide provides citations to 429 library catalogs published during
- and after the 1960s, with detailed annotations. A value here is
- that one person has assessed the resources and identified
- strengths. Further, since the modern revival of book catalogs
- stemmed from particular photographic techniques, fully
- three-quarters of Nelson's citations are to catalogs published by
- the G.K. Hall company. Since they marketed catalogs of flagship
- or uniquely valuable collections, inclusion is an indication to an
- Internet user that OPAC versions of these catalogs would be
- excellent first choices if their collections have been converted
- for online access. As with SUBJECT COLLECTIONS, however, the date
- of Nelson's book means that the end user has to supply the
- awareness of which OPACs are on the Internet.
-
- RLG CONSPECTUS: The Research Libraries Group has attempted to
- address the question of collection strengths through its
- Conspectus, a detailed evaluation of members' collections in given
- subject areas, broken out in great detail according to Library of
- Congress Classification Numbers. The intent of the project was to
- facilitate resource sharing by allowing members to identify each
- others' strengths.
-
- The Conspectus evaluates collection strength and current collecting
- intensity on a 0-5 scale, ranging from 'out of scope' and 'minimal
- level' through to the categories of most interest here, 'research'
- and 'comprehensive' levels. Levels 4 and 5, respectively, indicate
- self-assessed collections capable of supporting doctoral
- dissertation research and those that "endeavor...to include all
- significant works of recorded knowledge...in all applicable
- languages, for a necessarily defined and limited field." Libraries
- whose collection in a given area is a 4 or (the quite-rare) 5 would
- be ideal Internet choices for such subjects.
-
- The Conspectus, though, is of limited utility to readers of these
- notes. Leaving aside objections to the inherent value of the
- ratings themselves and problems of categorizing interdisciplinary
- strengths (cf. Henige 1987), the availability of the tool itself
- suffers from the same cart-before-the-horse problem as the books
- already mentioned. The Conspectus was conceived as a tool for
- subject bibliographers, reference librarians, and interlibrary loan
- staff; in other words, people with RLIN terminals readily to hand
- and with some level of prior knowledge about collections and
- institutions. Like the somewhat parallel collection measuring
- tool, the National Shelflist Count, published in microfiche, the
- Conspectus is primarily aimed at library 'insiders.' For reasons of
- sheer bulk (and because they're a component of a revenue-generating
- electronic database,) the Conspectus data exist only in an RLIN file.
-
- More recently, RLG has been promoting end-user access to RLIN,
- especially by scholars, by offering faculty passwords and by
- allowing gateways within enhanced OPACs. Within the universe of
- end-users who have such access to RLIN, use of the on-line
- Conspectus would be the first step to identify OPACs to search.
- The wider use of the Conspectus as the basis of the Association of
- Research Library's North American Collections Inventory Project
- (NCIP) has not yet yielded a usable 'field guide' to collections.
- As this is written, uncertainties about the direction of RLG and
- the future of RLIN and its component files raise at least the
- possibility that the Conspectus might become more widely accessible
- on other utilities, but for the moment, only library patrons at
- RLG-member institutions have librarian-mediated access to
- Conspectus values, and an even smaller fraction of them have direct
- access as end-users.
-
- OTHER SOURCES: As scope of interest narrows, the range of reference
- tools expands. Area studies fields typically have directories of
- resources; many scholarly associations publish guides to
- departments listing institutional strengths. Metropolitan areas
- often have union lists of serials or handbooks of library resources
- that inform readers about collections. OPACs that allow freetext
- keyword searching or browsing will turn up such tools with searches
- on the subject phrase "library resources" and the embedded
- qualifier "directories."
-
- ONLINE CATALOGS: Since most OPACs are designed for local
- constituencies, "help" and "explain" screens tend to aid
- understanding of the system, not the library it catalogs. Once
- libraries acknowledge that users may often be unfamiliar with their
- collections, and, indeed, once libraries accept their need for
- their own purposes to assess their strengths and weaknesses, then
- OPACs could routinely contain collection-description statements as
- menu choices, or could be "cataloged" on other OPACs as
- machine-readable data files with notable strengths tagged with
- subject headings.
-
- In the meantime, some strategies for assessing an OPAC while
- learning its commands might include some of the following.
-
- . Consult WELCOME SCREENS: Branch libraries and special collections
- are sometimes listed, and information on collections that are
- included or excluded may be explained.
-
- . Read MENUS and HELP SCREENS: Unusual and/or locally-created
- databases should be listed. They may be bibliographic, textual,
- or numeric, and often provide unique electronic resources.
-
- . Look for SPECIAL LOCATIONS or BRANCH LIBRARIES: Whether listed
- cryptically as part of a call number code or explicitly in
- information screens, these indicators of library organization
- can reveal collection strengths.
-
- . Conduct TOPICAL SEARCHES: Focused searches on topics of interest
- will provide a raw number to use as a gauge; limiting by language
- or date indicates range and currency of the collection.
-
- . BROWSE or SCAN call numbers, subjects, or authors: When this feature is
- possible, it can provide an overview of holdings in an area.
-
-
- REFERENCES
-
- Ash, Lee, William G. Miller, and Barbara J. McQuitty, compilers.
- Subject Collections: A Guide to Special Book Collections and
- Subject Emphases as Reported by University, College, Public, and
- Special Libraries and Museums in the United States and Canada.
- 6th ed rev. and enl. New York: R.R. Bowker, 1985. 2 v.
-
- The College Blue Book. Degrees Offered by College and Subject. 22nd ed.
- New York: Macmillan, 1989. 5 vols.
-
- Henige, David. "Epistemological Dead End and Ergonomic Disaster?
- The North American Collections Inventory Project." Journal of
- Academic Librarianship 13(4) (1987): 209-213.
-
- Nelson, Bonnie R. A Guide to Published Library Catalogs. Metuchen, NJ:
- Scarecrow Press, 1982.
-
-
-
- SECTION 4: USING SYSTEMS SUCCESSFULLY - SURVIVAL TIPS
-
- MAKING AND BREAKING THE CONNECTION
-
- General Survival Tips
-
- Once you have found your on-ramp to the Internet and decided what
- your itinerary will be, you are faced with the navigational details
- of making the connection and making the most of your trip.
-
- The many dissimilar hardware and software environments
- interconnected by the Internet also create a technically complex
- path for the electronic traveler, making troubleshooting a
- serious challenge. But there are a number of techniques to keep in
- mind that can make the going less painful and your attempts to
- access remote systems more fruitful. Here are some suggestions,
- proceeding from the general to the specific.
-
- Avoid prime-time logins.
-
- Mid morning to late afternoon in the time zone of the remote host
- are the busiest times when both network traffic and contention in
- the remote system will be highest. On the whole, between 9:00 a.m.
- and 6:00 p.m. Eastern time, the Internet is at its busiest.
- Try off hours for best results.
-
- Use one of the most universal Terminal Types.
-
- Use VT100 terminal emulation wherever possible, the most
- universally supported terminal type.
-
- Try TN3270 for IBM environments (some VM/CMS systems require it).
- TN3270 is a variation on the Telnet protocol that handles
- full-screen emulation of an IBM 3270-type terminal. It consists
- of Telnet plus software to perform the translation to and from
- the 3270 protocols.
-
- If printing or downloading, you may need to use the "generic"
- terminal type if one is listed as an option when you connect to the
- system. Sometimes screen control characters for VT100s or other
- terminal types are picked up in printing or in downloaded files.
- The generic terminal type should be free of screen control
- information.
-
- Know the commands in your Telnet software.
-
- The Telnet protocol has been implemented on a variety of systems.
- Each is different, so specific commands depend on your version.
- However, all versions function similarly, so there are a few
- general guidelines to follow.
-
-
- Understanding Telnet
-
- The one common element across the disparate environments of the
- Internet is the TCP/IP software protocol suite, the basis of
- communications.
-
- Telnet, the terminal-handler portion of the TCP/IP protocol suite,
- is the cornerstone of this striking communications technology.
- Telnet handles the remote login to another Internet host, so it is
- useful to know something about the way it works.
-
- Telnet operates in a client/server environment in which one host
- (the computer you are using, running Client (User) Telnet)
- negotiates opening a session on another computer (the remote host,
- running Server Telnet). During the behind-the-scenes negotiation
- process, the two computers agree on the parameters governing the
- session. One of the first things they settle is the terminal type
- to be used -- in general, a line-by-line network virtual terminal,
- for simplicity's sake. Virtual terminal, in this context, refers to
- a set of terminal characteristics and sequences that both sides of a
- network connection agree to use to transmit data from terminals
- across the network, regardless of the terminal used.
-
- Finding Telnet Commands
-
- Try typing "help" or "?" at the Telnet prompt to get a list of
- the commands available in your Telnet software.
-
- Using Local versus Remote Commands
-
- Once you have established a remote session, all commands you
- type will be sent to the Server Telnet on the remote host for
- execution.
-
- If you want a Telnet command issued in the remote environment to
- be acted on locally by your client Telnet, on most systems you
- would normally precede the command with an escape sequence (a
- predetermined character or combination of characters that
- signal your Telnet software to execute the command that follows
- locally). For example, in NCSA Telnet for pc-compatible
- microcomputers, the F10 key is the escape character that alerts
- Telnet to execute locally the next command you type (to turn
- local echo on or off, or to toggle capture on or off, etc.).
-
- The Telnet escape sequence by itself followed by <cr> returns you
- temporarily to your local operating environment. On UNIX systems,
- the escape sequence is usually the control key (CNTL) and left bracket
- ([) pressed simultaneously.
-
-
- Logging On
-
- TELNET <host>
- or
- TELNET <cr> followed by OPEN <host> at the prompt.
-
- The basic command set is simple. You also need to know either the
- machine domain name or the machine Internet address (a series of
- numbers). The numbers will always work; the names will work if
- they are in a software table available to your version of Telnet.
-
- IBM systems that use TN3270 may require you to type a carriage
- return, "DIAL VTAM," or just "VTAM" in response to the first
- prompt from the remote system.
-
-
- Logging Off
-
- LOGOFF or LOGOUT (also try QUIT, END, EXIT, STOP, etc.)
-
- CLOSE, prefixed by the escape sequence.
-
- ABORT, prefixed by the escape sequence--use as a last resort!
-
- To exit the remote system, first try that system's logoff
- command. To determine what the appropriate logoff command is,
- check the menus, help, and welcome screens when you first log on.
- Oftentimes, the logoff information is listed there but not always
- easy to retrieve later.
-
- Logging off the remote system may return you to your primary
- operating environment (all the way out of Telnet), or you may
- be left in Telnet. If so, type "quit".
-
- But some information systems have no graceful exit for remote
- users. In that case, you have two options --- CLOSE or ABORT.
-
- CLOSE should be your next choice after LOGOFF. If you are
- unable to CLOSE the connection normally (e.g., if your remote
- session is hung), try the Telnet ABORT command to drop your
- connection locally.
-
- ABORT will return control to you in your local environment, but
- it may not properly terminate your session on the remote machine.
- Since this can leave the port on the remote machine busy for an
- indefinite period even though you are no longer using it, ABORT
- should be used only as a last resort.
-
- In either case, you can also try escaping back to your local
- environment and then issuing the termination commands. If one
- method doesn't work, try the other.
-
- Other commands may allow you to control your communications environment.
- Investigate the help systems both in your local Telnet and on the
- remote system at the outset.
-
-
- Using the BREAK Key
-
- Don't be hasty with the Break key. Too many Breaks may cause
- your Telnet session to be dropped!
-
- There is no standard BREAK key across versions of Telnet and in
- remote information systems. Telnet is based on the concept of a
- network virtual terminal, in which the control functions (breaks,
- etc.) are communicated with characters regardless of terminal type
- (rather than line conditions, used in the terminal server
- environment). Your local Telnet receives your break and sends out
- a character sequence which is reinterpreted on the other end,
- hopefully as the break you intended.
-
- Your Break may not always be understood by the remote system, so
- you should try HELP or ? when you begin (at the Telnet prompt)
- to determine what your version of Telnet uses as BREAK.
-
- Tips: In UNIX, CNTL-C may work for BREAK. In the Mac environment,
- BREAK may be a click down menu option or a character combination.
- In NCSA Telnet (a popular PC version), BREAK is F10 followed by a
- lower case letter "b".
-
-
- Using the Backspace Key
-
- The backspace character may not be recognized by the remote
- system. Investigate in your local Telnet how to set an erasing
- backspace. Type ? at the Telnet prompt, or SET ? for a list of
- possibilities.
-
-
- Adjusting the Settings to your Needs
-
- Most Telnet programs have the ability to SET or TOGGLE many of
- these settings on and off. Erasable backspace, local echo,
- carriage return interpretation (<cr> or <cr><lf> -- i.e.,
- carriage return or carriage return with line feed), and the
- escape character you use to return to the local environment are
- things that you can usually SET or TOGGLE at the Telnet prompt.
- Type ? and use Telnet's internal help system to change a setting.
-
-
- Using Function Keys
-
- Remember that special function keys are local implementations
- and have no significance in a remote session. Function keys
- such as INSERT, DELETE, ERASE END-OF-FIELD, PF, and PA keys may
- not be recognized in the remote environment. Even though
- function keys and control key combinations may have significance
- on the remote system, they may vary from those on your local
- system.
-
-
- Downloading and Printing
-
- Once you connect to a catalog on the Internet, you may want to save or
- print the result of any search you perform. Using a personal computer
- or workstation, you can "download" or print on an attached printer
- what you can display on the screen.
-
- Downloading
-
- Downloading in this context is simply transferring information
- from a remote computer to your own by capturing the screen
- displays. In most cases, there is no error checking (which
- requires the remote system to interact with your microcomputer
- directly using the same software) to transfer (download) a file.
- However, each communication software package has some facility
- to capture what is displayed on the screen.
-
- Follow these general steps when using any communications software
- package to capture information:
-
- 1) Log on to the remote system as you normally would.
-
- 2) Perform a search to retrieve a set of citations or other information.
-
- 3) When the results are ready to be displayed, turn on the
- facility in your communications software to capture on disk
- what is displayed on the screen (i.e., the information coming
- over the communications line). The function name varies - it
- may be called receive, record, log, download, or capture.
-
- 4) Provide a name for the new file, when prompted by your software.
-
- 5) Type the display command or choose the menu selection to
- display the results on the screen.
-
- 6) On some systems, you may need to press RETURN <cr> to send your
- display command or selection to the remote system so that it
- will begin displaying the search results.
-
- 7) When the display has finished, turn off the capture facility.
-
-
- The information should now be saved on a disk, ready to be
- edited or printed.
-
-
- Printing
-
- Printing follows the same steps, but instead of using the
- capture function, activate your printer, either by turning it on
- or issuing a command to your communications software to print
- everything that displays on the screen. This method sends
- whatever is coming over the communications line both to your
- screen and printer.
-
- If the printer receives characters faster than it can digest
- them, you may get garbled output. Using remote systems, there is
- little you can do other than display a few screens or records at
- a time (rather than continuously) and wait for the printer to
- catch up. It is often easier to download the file and print it
- offline.
-
- Some systems (particularly IBM 3270 environments) do not use a
- simple ASCII communications stream over the communications line.
- Thus, screen capturing or logging may produce a file that is
- unreadable if viewed online or printed. In this case, you may
- have to "dump" a screen at a time to a file on your disk(ette)
- (often called a "log" file) or to the printer. Once the screen
- has displayed, you have to issue your communications software
- screen dump command for EACH screen wanted.
-
- Some systems offer an explicit print option which should generally
- be avoided. Usually, this option sends your search result to some
- centralized printer at the host institution. If the system does
- not verify that you are affiliated with the institution and lets
- you issue the print command, the results of your search may indeed
- be printed, but will not actually be sent to you, an unknown
- visitor via the network. This option is also sometimes imperfectly
- implemented so that when you select it as a remote user, your pc or
- terminal freezes up and must actually be restarted.
-
- Mailing Your Results Electronically
-
- A few systems offer the option of mailing search results to an
- electronic mailbox. This function is less likely to require that
- you be affiliated with the host institution, and may provide an
- alternate way to capture your search results for printing or
- storing.
-
-
- SEARCH STRATEGIES -- UNDERSTANDING SYSTEM BASICS
-
- Using systems successfully involves not only becoming comfortable with
- making and breaking the connection, and capturing results, but also
- learning what a system has to offer. Experienced searchers use some
- common strategies for exploring and exploiting a new system.
-
- Most online catalogs fall within a few basic types, with the most
- variation in the actual operating mechanics. In other words, all
- systems will allow you to search, but what is the command for
- searching? Discovering the "rules" of a new system is the biggest
- hurdle. Appendix B lists basic search commands for some of the most
- frequently encountered brands or vendors of commercially supplied
- systems. Here are some other elements to watch out for as you
- approach new systems:
-
- -- interface style
- (menu-, command-, or icon-driven)
- -- content
- (e.g.: Are books, journals, and recordings in the same file?)
- Is the whole collection online or are older materials
- not included?
- -- capability
- (e.g.: searchable elements, displayable elements)
- -- operation
- (e.g.: key words, exact phrase)
- -- terminology
- (e.g.: find, search, look, or browse)
- -- operators
- (e.g.: spaces, punctuation, parentheses, and, or, &,?,*,#)
- -- syntax
- (e.g.: last name first?)
- -- context
- (e.g.: You must find items before you can display them.)
- -- miscellaneous
- (e.g.: Does the Backspace key work? Does Break work?)
-
- Some systems may be intuitively obvious to you and you will require
- little prompting or assistance. When this is not the case, try the
- following:
-
- Read the SCREENS: Often, some information about what is required
- in written somewhere on the screen. Often the opening screen
- offers the biggest hints about the using the system, but later
- screens offer clues as well, e.g.,
-
- Type the number of your selection, followed by Enter.
- ==>
-
- Read the ERROR MESSAGES: These are the system's way of saying
- it did not understand your entry. Sometimes there are suggestions
- about how to correct the problem.
-
- x is not a command. Please re-enter your query.
- For a list of available commands, type ?
- ==>
-
- Get HELP: Many catalogs have help systems. These can range
- from a single-screen summary of commands to many screens of
- detailed technical information. In some cases, HELP is available
- only at certain times -- such as a Tutorial you can select from a
- menu -- or in other systems it can be requested at any point. The
- command for getting HELP is often "help", "?", or "h".
-
- Press RETURN: On many systems, when you seem to be stuck in an
- inexplicable error condition and can't get help, pressing RETURN
- will escape from the error and return you to a menu from which you
- can proceed.
-
-
- BEYOND THE BASICS -- DISCOVERING THE REAL POWER OF AN ONLINE CATALOG
-
- Discovering how to execute basic searches is usually a simple matter.
- A given online catalog may have far more to offer, but the more
- advanced features are often less obvious. A little organized exploration
- is often rewarded by the discovery of easier or more powerful ways
- to use the system.
-
- Search for known items. Try a few basic searches to get the feel of
- a system. Look at the longest display to determine how much
- information is available. You might even devise a test script as a
- way to compare different systems, and learn what is common versus
- what is different.
-
- Expand on the basic commands. Once you know how to give a
- command, experiment with ways to modify it.
-
- If you can search one word,
- can you search two? search ti dog and cat
- Can you search two fields
- at the same time? search ti dog and au jones
- Can you display a record
- in different formats? show full
- Can you display different
- parts of a record? show author
- Can you display specific
- records? display 5
-
- Look for features and capabilities beyond the obvious. Read the help
- screens and other documentation carefully for hints and clues.
-
- Are there special modes that provide extra features?
- e.g. a command mode that allows you to specify word order.
- Are there subsystems or subfiles available?
- e.g. a subfile for non-book materials such as audiovisuals.
- Can you use boolean operators?
- Can you truncate word stems or use "wild card" characters?
- e.g. catalog* to retrieve catalogs, cataloging; wom#n to
- retrieve woman, women
- Can you save search results for display or printing later?
- Can you sort or reformat results for printing?
- Can you mail search results to your electronic mailbox?
-
- Ask questions/make suggestions. Some systems provide the ability
- to send comments or questions online, and a few post answers or
- will respond directly. Even if your question is not answered
- directly, it may prompt the system designers to clarify instructions
- or resolve a problem.
-
- Rely on tried-and-true techniques. Good research methodology
- should work with any catalog.
-
- Search broad terms to find some relevant items; display full
- records to discover proper subject headings, alternative names,
- correct spelling or other key information; and then do a focused
- search.
-
- search title dogs or cats
- 1284 items found
- display full
- subject: domestic animals - care and feeding
- search subject domestic animals - care and feeding
- 24 items found
-
- Start narrow; look at full record for related terms; and expand
- search.
-
- search subject world war II - indian participation
- 5 items found
- display full
- subjects: indians of north america as soldiers
- world war II - indian participation
-
- search subject indians of north america as soldiers
- 26 items found
-
- Search topics by title if subject approach fails; expand as in
- above example.
-
- ti=sick building syndrome
- 3 items found
- display long
- subjects: indoor air pollution
- office buildings--environmental aspects
- su=indoor air pollution
- 22 items found
-
- Trust your own experience and judgement. You know more than you
- think you do.
-
- Be incredulous -- Don't believe the unbelievable
- "There are no books by Shakespeare in the catalog" - sure!
- Be persistent -- Back up and try again. If you think there is a
- way, there probably is.
- Be creative. There is more than one way to skin a catalog.
-
-
-
- SECTION 5: WHAT ELSE IS OUT THERE - OTHER ONLINE RESOURCES
-
- Companion Databases to Online Catalogs
-
- In addition to book and serials holdings, many online library catalogs
- provide access to locally developed or locally mounted commercial
- databases.
-
- The commercial databases range from major periodical and newspaper
- indexes such as MEDLINE or the National Newspaper Index, to
- encyclopedias and dictionaries, to current awareness and statistical
- sources. Due to contractual restrictions, access to most of the commercial
- databases is restricted to faculty, students and staff of the
- purchasing campus. Occasionally, systems suppress the restricted databases
- from screens presented to Internet users; usually, systems offer them as
- choices, but Internet users who are not eligible for passwords are
- denied access.
-
- Examples of locally developed databases include a song index; full-text of the
- Bible and the works of Shakespeare; library pathfinders; an index to
- television scripts; and regional statistics.
-
- Consult RASD Occasional Paper 8, "Survey of Libraries Providing Locally
- Mounted Databases," (MARS Direct Patron Access to Computer-Based
- Reference Systems Committee, 1991) for a recent overview of these types of
- resources.
-
-
- Campus-Wide Information Systems
-
- In addition to over 100 online library catalogs, the Internet also provides
- access to a growing number of campus-wide information systems. A current
- list of such systems is provided at the end of each release of "Internet-
- Accessible Library Catalogs and Databases." An electronic conference which
- discusses campus-wide information systems is maintained on the listserver
- at CWIS-L@WUVMD.BITNET.
-
- Campus-wide information systems available on the Internet include
- Columbia, Cornell's CUINFO, MIT TECHINFO, New Mexico State University
- NMSU/INFO, NYU, PNN - Princeton News Network, University of New Mexico
- UNM_INFO, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill INFO.
-
- The types of information and search capabilities provided by these
- systems vary widely. Common components include library hours; local
- campus news and information; activities and events calendars;
- directories of staff, services, organizations and computing
- facilities; course schedules and catalogs; employment and financial
- aid opportunities; and descriptions of the campus, academic programs
- and various policies.
-
- Several online library catalogs have or are developing some of the
- components found in campus-wide information systems, so the two types of
- resources are not mutually exclusive.
-
- Specialized Information Databases
-
- The offerings of the Internet extend far beyond library catalogs. You
- can also reach various databases and software archives, many with
- reference value. Many systems do not require a password, and for those
- that do, obtaining a password is often as simple as filling out an
- application.
-
- The software archives consist of freeware or shareware computer
- programs which can be transferred to your local computer using File
- Transfer Protocol (FTP). Besides programs, these archives are
- repositories for Hypercard stacks, graphics, text files, and digitized
- sounds. The programs tend to be of high quality, many the result of
- special research projects.
-
- It is difficult to categorize these databases since they are hybrids.
- They are often co-sponsored by government agencies and university
- departments, or funded by grants. Their content ranges from full
- text documents to statistics, and can include directories of
- researchers, bibliographies, schedules of research activities,
- or information on research in progress.
-
- They are also more difficult to identify than library catalogs since
- they are not tied together with a common administrative structure or
- service goal. The Internet Resource Guide (see Section 3) and
- various network information centers are currently the best resources for
- finding out about these databases. Information may be posted
- to various listservers as they are discovered.
-
- A few examples of these databases illustrate the variety of sources
- available. Most of the databases listed below can be found in the
- Internet Resource Guide.
-
- . PENpages
-
- A database of agricultural and nutritional information produced by
- Pennsylvania State University with support from USDA, the Pennsylvania
- Department of Agriculture, and Rutgers University. Information ranges
- from statistics to the full text of newspapers and documents.
- Includes a daily overview of national agricultural news, plus the
- ability to do subject searching of keywords.
-
- . DARTMOUTH DANTE
-
- Supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities,
- this evolving database includes 32 commentaries--all in their original
- language--and the full text of Dante's DIVINE COMEDY. The database
- uses BRS search software, and offers a variety of search and display
- options.
-
- . OCEANIC
-
- Includes reports on two major projects, the World Ocean Circulation
- Experiment (WOCE) and the Span Physics Analysis Network (SPAN) plus
- such diverse entries as research ship schedules and bibliographic
- references. This is a specialized database maintained by the
- University of Delaware's College of Marine Studies.
-
- . GEOGRAPHIC NAME SERVER
-
- Contains standard information such as population, latitude/longitude,
- and zipcode for over 150,000 cities (mainly U.S.) and selected
- geographic locations (lakes, mountains, etc.) This is not the most
- "user-friendly" system, but is helpful for those with long lists to
- search. Information was obtained from the U.S. Geodetic Survey and
- the U.S. Postal Service.
-
- . JOHNS HOPKINS GENETIC DATABASES
-
- Several public databases, supported by the Howard Hughes Medical
- Institute in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine,
- the National Library of Medicine, and the Welch Medical Library,
- provide data related to human genetics. The following databases are
- the best known, and provide complementary information on gene mapping
- and genetic diseases. Both have easy-to-use interfaces for
- generalists. Users must apply for passwords.
-
- Genome Data Base (GDB)--Devoted to human chromosome mapping. Designed
- to collect, organize, and disseminate data on gene mapping generated
- by scientists.
-
- Online Mendelian Inheritance In Man (OMIM)--Devoted to inherited
- disorders and traits. Contains continuously updated text of Dr.
- Victor McKusick's classic text, MENDELIAN INHERITANCE IN MAN.
-
-
-
- APPENDIX A
-
- LIBRARIES AND NETWORK RESOURCES: ADDITIONAL READINGS
-
- Though the number of publications on research and professional
- communication networks continues to increase, many of these deal
- with network development rather than focusing on specific resources
- that networks can provide. Consequently, little has been written
- concerning library online catalogs available on the Internet (with
- the exception of the Raeder and Andrews article discussed in
- Section 3). The following bibliography therefore identifies recent
- literature which provides general information and addresses library
- public service applications of the Internet.
-
-
- Arms, Caroline R. "A New Information Infrastructure." Online 14,
- no.5 (Sept. 1990): 15-22.
- Arms provides a basic introduction to national networks with
- a brief discussion of the Internet, BITNET, and the National
- Research and Education Network (NREN), with an emphasis on the
- implications of this "wired" environment for librarians and
- scholars.
-
- Arms, Caroline R. "Using the National Networks: BITNET and the
- Internet." Online 14 no.5 (Sept. 1990): 24-29.
- Addressing both 'why' and 'how-to,' this article describes
- electronic mail, bulletin boards, downloading files, and logging
- in to remote library systems.
-
- Britten, William A. "BITNET and the Internet: Scholarly Networks
- for Librarians." College and Research Libraries News 51, no.2
- (Feb. 1990): 103-107.
- In addition to providing tips on accessing Internet resources,
- Britten provides an annotated "networkography" of fifteen documents
- and services representing a sampling of different types of network
- resources (e.g., PACS-L, Link Letter) of interest to librarians.
-
- Engel, Genevieve. "Internet Instruction: Teaching Users About
- Remote Library Databases." Cataloging and Classification Quarterly
- 13, no.3/4 (in press); published simultaneously in Enhancing Access to
- Information: Building Catalogs for the Future, edited by David A.
- Tyckoson, Haworth Press (in press).
- This article enumerates some of the major issues facing the user of remote
- information resources, and discusses these issues in the context of
- bibliographic instruction for Internet use.
-
- Kalin, Sally W. and Tennant, Roy. "Beyond OPACS...the Wealth of Information
- Resources on the Internet." Database 14, no. 4 (August 1991) (in press).
- This article describes strategies for identifying non-bibliographic
- databases on the Internet. The authors discuss issues such as access
- problems, ethics, evaluation, support and training. They highlight
- selected databases with brief descriptions and access instructions.
-
- Kibbey, Mark and Nancy Evans. "The Network is the Library."
- EDUCOM Review 24, no.3 (Fall 1989): 15-20.
- Defining the ideal electronic library as a range of services
- and collections made accessible through networks, Kibbey and Evans
- focus on the network as the foundation for the delivery of
- information services, and on the aspects of network development
- that directly affect electronic library development.
-
- Library Perspectives on NREN: The National Research and Education
- Network. Ed. by Carol A. Pankhurst. Chicago: American Library
- Association, Library and Information Technology Association,
- 1990.
- This collection of articles includes papers from the 1990 LITA
- President's Program, focusing on libraries and the National
- Research and Education Network. Other topics include NREN
- legislation and chronology, visions of a national network and its
- impact on academic, special and public libraries, a glossary, and
- bibliography (described below under Saule).
-
- Lynch, Clifford A., and Cecilia M. Preston. "Internet Access to
- Information Resources." In Annual Review of Information Science
- and Technology 26 (1990): 263-312.
- Following an overview of the development of computer networks
- within the U.S. and the evolution of the Internet, Lynch and
- Preston discuss information resources on the Internet and
- technology for network access to information resources.
-
- Nielsen, Brian. "Finding it on the Internet: The Next Challenge
- for Librarianship." Database 13 (Oct. 1990): 105-107.
- Nielsen raises the issue of the "reinvention" of librarianship
- to take into account electronic communication as a major means of
- knowledge dissemination, and discusses what's on the Internet
- (including online catalogs), and implications for reference
- librarians and catalogers.
-
- Rockman, Ilene F. "Reference Uses of Campus Computer Networks: A
- Bibliographic Guide." Reference Services Review 18, no.2 (Summer
- 1990): 39-44.
- In an effort to keep reference librarians abreast of the
- growing number of information networks currently available, Rockman
- presents a brief introduction to eleven prominent networks
- including ARPANET, BITNET, and Internet. She also provides an
- annotated bibliography of publications from 1988-1990 dealing with
- networks and libraries, and a selected directory of networks, with
- addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses.
-
- Saule, Mara. "Research and Educational Networking: A
- Bibliography." In Library Perspectives on NREN: The National
- Research and Education Network. Ed. by Carol A. Pankhurst.
- Chicago: American Library Association, Library and Information
- Technology Association, 1990. pp.67-68.
- Saule's selective bibliography lists over thirty items
- published between 1988-1990 about telecommunications networks and
- their implications for libraries, research, and professional
- communication.
-
-
-
-
- APPENDIX B:
-
- SYSTEM MODELS
-
-
- Most online public access catalogs are produced by commercial vendors of
- library automation products, although the vendor name may not appear
- online as part of the user interface. Most vendors offer some options
- to libraries to customize the system for their own needs which can
- further obscure a system's origins. If you can learn to recognize some
- of the distinctive characteristics of a system, however, it may be
- it easier to get started on a new system. This appendix profiles the
- major vendors of library systems on the Internet. For each vendor
- listing, Part A provides a sample welcome screen, although keep in
- mind that details may vary from library to library; Part B
- describes the major search features and commands. Vendors modify and
- upgrade their software periodically, so expect changes to appear. The
- basics of any system are likely to remain, even when systems are
- upgraded. Check the directory maintained by Billy Barron (see Section 3)
- for updates and additions.
-
- User groups exist for most of the vendors. We thank them for
- reviewing this section and providing additional information.
-
- I. DATA RESEARCH ASSOCIATES (DRA)
-
- A. INTRODUCTORY SCREEN
-
- TO SEARCH BY: TYPE: FOR EXAMPLE: TO ACTIVATE:
-
- Subject S= S=computer animation Press <RETURN>
-
-
- Title T= T=computer animation Press <RETURN>
-
-
- Author A= A=fox david Press <RETURN>
-
-
- Call Number C= C=tr897.5 Press <RETURN>
-
-
- IF YOU NEED
- HELP ?? ?? Press <RETURN>
-
-
- To find
- LIBRARY LOCATIONS ?? ?? Press <RETURN>
-
-
- KEYWORD K K Press <RETURN>
-
-
-
-
- B. INSTRUCTIONS BY FUNCTION
-
- Title searches: Use the t= search command followed by the title.
- EXAMPLE: t=guns of august
- In KEYWORD mode, type fi ti <title words>
- EXAMPLE: fi ti guns august
-
- Author searches: Use the a= search command followed by author.
- EXAMPLE: a=woolf virginia
- In KEYWORD mode, type fi au <author>
- EXAMPLE: fi au woolf virginia
-
- Subject heading searches: Use the s= search command followed by
- the subject.
- EXAMPLE: s=stars
- In KEYWORD mode, type fi su <subject words>
- EXAMPLE: fi su sun stars
-
- Keyword searches: Type k <RETURN>. This begins command language
- searching. See instructions above for entering commands.
-
- Call number searches: Use the c=search command followed by call number.
-
- Boolean: AND, OR, NOT available in KEYWORD mode.
-
- Truncation: ? is a wildcard at the end of words.
- EXAMPLE: Superconduct?
- # is wildcard within words.
- EXAMPLE: wom#n
-
- Help: Type ?? in menu search mode, or he in KEYWORD search mode.
-
-
- II. DYNIX
-
- Currently, Dynix is represented by two British, one Australian
- and one U.S. system on the Internet.
-
-
- A. INTRODUCTORY SCREEN
-
- UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
- PUBLIC ACCESS MODE
-
-
- Welcome to the online catalogue.
- Select one of the searches below:
-
- 1. Title words
- 2. Title Alphabetical list
- 3. Author
- 4. Subject words
- 5. Series
- 6. Class mark (Shelf mark)
- 7. Reserve book room
- 8. Review Patron Record
- 9. Quit searching
-
-
- Enter your selection (1-9) and press <Return> :
- Commands: ? = Help, BB = Bulletin Board
-
-
-
- B. INSTRUCTIONS BY FUNCTION
-
- Title searches: If exact title is known, choose number 2 from
- main menu. If only some words from a title are known, choose
- number 1 from the main menu.
-
- Author searches: Choose appropriate number from main menu.
-
- Subject searches: Choose appropriate number from main menu.
-
- Keyword searches: Choose appropriate number from main menu.
- Some systems will look for terms in the subject field, some in
- title field, as indicated on the menu.
-
- Call number searches: Choose appropriate number from main menu
- (Class mark, for UK libraries).
-
- Boolean: AND available to limit, when large amount of records
- retrieved through keyword searches.
-
- Truncation: Type "?" at the end of a term to truncate.
- EXAMPLE: dream? (retrieves dream, dreaming, dreams, etc.)
- Typing ?? at the end of a word retrieves a list of words
- possible with your truncation.
- EXAMPLE: dream?? (retrieves list of terms in the database
- beginning with dream)
-
- Help: Type ? at the main menu.
-
-
- III. GEAC
-
- GEAC is represented by over 15 library systems on the Internet, most of
- which are United Kingdom libraries (part of the JANET system), plus
- some major U.S. libraries.
-
- A. SAMPLE SCREEN
-
- What type of search do you wish to do?
-
- 1. TIL - Title, journal title, series title, etc.
-
- 2. AUT - Author, illustrator, editor, organization, etc.
-
- 3. A-T - Combination of author and title.
-
- 4. SUB - Subject heading assigned by library.
-
- 5. NUM - Call number, ISBN, ISSN, etc.
-
- 6. KEY - One word taken from a title, author or subject.
-
-
- B. INSTRUCTIONS BY FUNCTION
-
- Title searches: Choose number 1 from main menu or type
- TIL/How to Succeed in Business
-
- Author searches: Choose number 2 from main menu or type
- AUT/Friedman
-
- Subject heading searches: Choose number 4 from main menu or type
- SUB/Agriculture
-
- Keyword searches: Choose number 6 from main menu or type
- KEY/success
-
- Call number searches: Choose number 5 from main menu or type
- NUM/lb110b64
-
- Boolean: Select BOL from main menu. Not available on
- all systems. AND, OR, NOT operators available. Use either & or
- <SPACE> for AND, / for OR, ! for not.
-
- Truncation: Use # to truncate a word.
- EXAMPLE: horse# (retrieves horse, horses, etc.)
-
- Help: Type "help", "command help" for command
- overview, or "advanced help" for advanced instructions.
-
-
- IV. INNOVATIVE INTERFACES, INC.
-
- Innovative is represented by at least six U.S. university libraries
- on the Internet.
-
-
- A. SAMPLE SCREEN
-
- You may search for library materials by any of the following:
-
- A > Author
- T > Title
- W > WORDS in title/author
-
- S > SUBJECT HEADING
- L > LC CALL NUMBER
- D > DEWEY CALL NUMBER
- G > GOVT. DOC NUMBER
-
- R > RESERVE Lists
- I > Library INFORMATION - NEWS
- Q > QUIT
-
- Choose one (A,T,W,S,L,D,G,R,I,Q) :
-
-
- B. INSTRUCTIONS BY FUNCTION
-
- Title searches: Select "T" at the main menu. Type complete or
- beginning of title.
- EXAMPLE: History of the amer
-
- Subject heading searches: Select "S" at the main menu. Type
- subject heading.
- EXAMPLE: agriculture
-
- Author searches: Select "A" at the main menu. Type author's
- name in the format: lastname, firstname.
-
- Keyword: Select "W" at the main menu. Not available on all
- library systems. Note that for some libraries, a keyword
- search retrieves your terms only if they appear in the title,
- while for others, terms are retrieved from author, title, or
- subject fields. The sample screen above indicates that
- Keyword searches the author and title fields. Within keyword
- searching, the boolean operator AND is the default; the boolean
- operator OR can be used in two-term search statements.
-
- Call number searches: Select "L" (Library of Congress) at the
- main menu. Not available on all library systems. Some libraries
- offer different types of call number searches such as Dewey,
- or Government Documents number as in the sample screen above.
-
- Boolean: Uses AND, OR operators through the LIMIT selection of
- the secondary menu.
-
- Truncation: System assumes truncation in all search strategies
- except keyword. If you do NOT want truncation, use the
- : (pipe) symbol (i.e., cat: to search only the work cat). In
- keyword, if you DO want truncation, use the * (asterisk)
- symbol (i.e., cat* to search cat, catalog, category, etc.)
-
- Help: No special help functions, but system is menu driven and
- choices are obvious.
-
- V. NOTIS
-
- NOTIS is represented by at least 40 library catalogs of major
- universities. Release 5.0 of NOTIS software allows libraries to
- customize the presentation, so more variations may be encountered
- as libraries take advantage of this flexibility.
-
-
- A. INTRODUCTORY SCREEN:
-
- <NAME OF LIBRARY SYSTEM> can be used to find
- bibliographic information, location, and call number for
- materials held by <NAME OF LIBRARY>.
-
-
- To search type: COMMAND RETURN
- title: t=your title RETURN
- author: a=your author RETURN
- subject: s=your subject RETURN
- keyword: k=your subject RETURN
-
-
- Users familiar with <LIBRARY SYSTEM> may enter a search request on any
- screen. To correct a mistake, backspace over the error or CLEAR
- to start over.
- TYPE news FOR LIBRARY-SYSTEM NEWS.
- TYPE hrs FOR LIBRARY hours.
- TYPE srvc FOR LIBRARY SERVICE AREAS and LOCATIONS.
-
-
- TYPE COMMAND AND PRESS RETURN >
-
-
-
- B. INSTRUCTIONS BY FUNCTION
-
- Title searches: t=foundations of health
- or
- t=foundations
-
- Author searches: a= asimov
- or
- a= asimov, isaac
-
- Subject searches: s=agriculture
- or
- s=agriculture--united states
-
- Keyword searches: k=car and driver
- NOTE: Each library chooses its own operator as the default. In
- some libraries "k=car driver" retrieves all items with the words
- car AND driver; in other libraries, the search would retrieve
- car ADJ driver or car WITH driver. It is probably best to type
- the operator you desire to insure proper results.
-
- Call number searches: c=rc493g543
- Became available with release 5.0; not all systems will offer it yet.
-
- Boolean: Uses AND, OR, NOT.
- EXAMPLE: t=cars and accidents
- or
- k=computer and not ibm
-
- Truncation: System assumes truncation in author, title, and
- subject heading searches. For keyword searches, use "$" as the
- wildcard.
- EXAMPLE: librar$ to retrieve library, libraries, librarians, etc.
-
- Help: On most screens, use the h command.
- Or, for explanations of various commands, type <command> and <RETURN>.
- EXAMPLE: k=<RETURN>
-
-
-
-
- VI. VTLS
-
- VTLS is represented by five U.S. universities on the Internet.
-
- A. INTRODUCTORY SCREEN
-
- ***Welcome to the University Library Online Catalog***
-
- The system may be approached using the following commands:
-
- 1. Author Search Enter A/ and the author's name (last name first)
- EXAMPLE: A/Hemingway, Ernest
- 2. Title Search Enter T/ and the title.
- (omit any leading articles: THE,A AN,LA,L',DER...)
- EXAMPLE: T/Sun also rises
- 3. Call Number Search Enter C/ and the call number.
- EXAMPLE: C/TL725.3 T7 J6
- 4. Subject Search Enter S/ and the subject term(s).
- EXAMPLE: S/Metals
- 5. Key Word Search Enter W/ and the word to be searched.
- EXAMPLE: W/Computers
- 6. System Information Display
- HOURS OF SYSTEM AVAILABILITY
-
- For more detailed information about any of the above
- searches, enter the LINE NUMBER.
-
-
- B. INSTRUCTIONS BY FUNCTION
-
- Title searches: Use the T/ search command followed by the title.
- EXAMPLE: T/Pickwick Papers
-
- Author searches: Use the A/ search command followed by author.
- EXAMPLE: A/Dickens, Charles
-
- Subject heading searches: Use the S/ command followed by the
- subject heading.
- EXAMPLE: S/Poetry
-
- Keyword searches: Use the W/ command followed by keyword.
- EXAMPLE: W/surveys
- Use B/ (see below) for multiple words.
-
- Call number searches: Use the C/ command or the H/ command
- followed by call number.
- EXAMPLE: C/UA770
-
- Boolean: Uses AND, OR, NOT operators; not available on all systems.
- Use the B/ command followed by a keyword, an operator, and a
- second keyword.
- EXAMPLE: B/sun or moon
- B/animal and environment
-
- Truncation: N/A
-
- Help: To see help, enter the line number on the main menu for
- which you would like more information, or type /HELP.
-
-
-
-
- VII. HOMEGROWN SYSTEMS
-
- A number of large university libraries have written their own search
- software and/or user interface. Since there are only so many ways to
- initiate a search, these home-grown systems often use commands similar
- to those in commercial systems.
-
- Some of them support the Common Command Language standard (NISO Z39.58). Basic
- searches are generally in the form:
-
- FIND <index name> <search terms>,
-
- The DISPLAY command displays the results.
-
- Many are completely menu-driven and thus easy to learn. One or two
- have so few commands that the first word or phrase you enter is
- simply treated as your search term, and the results are displayed
- automatically.
-
- Home-grown systems tend to be more generous with help screens and
- other information to help users learn features and commands. If
- you follow the advice in Section 3 on search strategies, you will
- probably be able to master home-grown systems with little difficulty.
- Following are examples of various commands on sample homegrown
- systems:
-
-
-
- INSTRUCTIONS BY FUNCTION
-
- Title Searches:
- f ti (find title, followed by title)
- ti (followed by title)
- f x ti (find exact title, followed by title)
- f tt (find term(s), or keyword(s) in title)
-
- Author Searches:
- f au (find author, followed by author's name)
- f ai (find the author's name in an alphabetical index)
- f at (find a word in the author field)
- n (name, followed by author's name)
- NOTE: Most systems prefer lastname, firstname.
-
- Subject Heading Searches:
- f su (find specific subject heading)
- f st (find term(s), or word(s) in subject field)
- f me (find MeSH subject heading)
-
- Keyword Searches:
- There are great differences between systems here. Some
- systems ask you to specify which field to search as keywords.
- Some automatically search the author, title, subject, or even notes fields.
- You may have to try a few sample searches and examine the results
- to determine how each system works. Here are some of the many
- possibilities:
- kti (keyword in titles)
- bro (browse an alphabetical list of terms)
- kw (search for keyword in fields designated by the system)
- te (search for keyword, or term, in fields
- designated by the system)
-
- Call Number Searches:
- f ca (note that some systems use "ca" for corporate author)
- ca
- f cl
-
- Boolean:
- Where boolean is available, AND, OR, NOT are usually all
- possible operators. There are a few exceptions where only one or
- two of these operators are available. Many systems allow you to
- search for terms from various fields.
- e.g., f su alaska and ti frontiers
-
- This would be a very different search than the following:
- f alaska and frontiers
-
- Some systems allow for nesting of terms as follows:
- find ksh coffee and (brazil or columbia)
-
- Truncation:
- Some systems assume truncation.
- e.g., f kw america-- also retrieves keyword americas
- Other symbols used for truncation are:
- ? (f librar?)
- # (f te car#)
- * (f su business*)
- $ (f kti lonel$)
- Some systems allow for internal "wildcard" symbols:
- f su wom?n
-
- Help:
- Most systems use "help" or "explain". Often "help" or "h"
- are used for context specific help. "Explain" is most often used
- to generally describe a function, e.g. "explain keyword" (to
- learn how do keyword searches in the system).
-
-
-
- APPENDIX C
-
- GLOSSARY OF TERMS FOR INTERNET RESOURCES
-
- Anonymous FTP (File Transfer Protocol) -- The procedure of connecting
- to a remote computer, as an anonymous or guest user, in order to
- transfer public files back to your local computer. (See also: FTP
- and Protocols)
-
- BITNET -- A cooperative computer network interconnecting over 2,300
- academic and research institutions in 32 countries. Originally
- based on IBM's RSCS networking protocol, BITNET supports mail,
- mailing lists, and file transfer. Now merging with CSNET and
- running the RSCS protocol over TCP/IP protocol (BITNET II), the
- network will be called Computer Research and Education Network
- (CREN).
-
- Client-Server Interface -- A program that provides an interface to
- remote programs (called clients), most commonly across a network,
- in order to provide these clients with access to some service such
- as databases, printing, etc. In general, the clients act on behalf
- of a human end-user (perhaps indirectly).
-
- CREN -- Computer Research and Education Network is the new name for
- the merged computer networks, BITNET and Computer Science Network
- (CSNET). It supports electronic mail and file transfer.
-
- Domain Name System (DNS) -- The Internet naming scheme which consists
- of a hierarchical sequence of names, from the most specific to the
- most general (left to right), separated by dots, for example
- nic.ddn.mil. (See also: IP address)
-
- Downloading -- The electronic transfer of information from one
- computer to another, generally from a larger computer to a smaller
- one, such as a microcomputer.
-
- Electronic Bulletin Board -- A shared file where users can enter
- information for other users to read or download. Many bulletin
- boards are set up according to general topics and are accessable
- throughout a network.
-
- FTP -- File Transfer Protocol allows a user to transfer files
- electronically from remote computers back to the user's computer.
- Part of the TCP/IP/TELNET software suite.
-
- Gateway -- Used in different senses (e.g., Mail Gateway, IP
- Gateway), but most generally, a computer that forwards and routes
- data between two or more networks of any size.
-
- Host Computer -- In the context of networks, a computer that
- directly provides service to a user. In contrast to a network
- server, which provides services to a user through an intermediary
- host computer.
-
- Internet -- The series of interconnected networks that includes
- local area, regional, and national backbone networks. Networks in
- the Internet use the same telecommunications protocol (TCP/IP) and
- provide electronic mail, remote login, and file transfer services.
-
- IP (Internet protocol) -- The Internet standard protocol that
- provides a common layer over dissimilar networks, used to move
- packets among host computers and through gateways if necessary.
-
- IP Address -- The numeric address of a computer connected to the
- Internet; also called Internet address.
-
- Listserve Lists (or listservers) -- Electronic discussion of technical and
- nontechnical issues conducted by electronic mail over BITNET using
- LISTSERV protocols. Similar lists, often using the UNIX readnews or
- rn facilty, are available exclusively on the Internet. Internet users
- may subscribe to BITNET listservers. Participants subscribe via a
- central service, and lists often have a moderator who manages the
- information flow and content.
-
- NIC (Network Information Center) -- A NIC provides administrative support,
- user support, and information services for a network.
-
- NREN -- The National Research and Education Network is a proposed
- national computer network to be built upon the foundation of the NSF
- backbone network, NSFnet. NREN would provide high speed
- interconnection between other national and regional networks. SB
- 1067 is the legislative bill proposing NREN.
-
- OPAC -- Online Public Access Catalog, a term used to describe any
- type of computerized library catalog.
-
- OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) -- This is the evolving
- international standard under development at ISO (International
- Standards Organization) for the interconnection of cooperative
- computer systems. An open system is one that conforms to OSI
- standards in its communications with other systems.
-
- Protocol -- A mutually determined set of formats and procedures
- governing the exchange of information between systems.
-
- Remote Access -- The ability to access a computer from outside a
- building in which it is housed, or outside the library. Remote
- access requires communications hardware, software, and actual
- physical links, although this can be as simple as common carrier
- (telephone) lines or as complex as Telnet login to another computer
- across the Internet.
-
- Shareware -- Microcomputer software, distributed through public
- domain channels, for which the author expects to receive
- compensation.
-
- TCP/IP -- Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol is a
- combined set of protocols that performs the transfer of data between
- two computers. TCP monitors and ensures correct transfer of data. IP
- receives the data from TCP, breaks it up into packets, and ships it
- off to a network within the Internet. TCP/IP is also used as a name
- for a protocol suite that incorporates these functions and others.
-
- TELNET -- A portion of the TCP/IP suite of software protocols that
- handles terminals. Among other functions, it allows a user to log
- in to a remote computer from the user's local computer.
-
- Terminal Emulation -- Most communications software packages will
- permit your personal computer or workstation to communicate with
- another computer or network as if it were a specific type of terminal directly
- connected to that computer or network.
-
- Terminal Server -- A machine that connects terminals to a network by
- providing host TELNET service.
-
- TN3270 -- A version of TELNET providing IBM full-screen support.
-
- Z39.50 Protocol -- Name of the national standard developed by the
- National Information Standards Organization (NISO) that defines an
- applications level protocol by which one computer can query another
- computer and transfer result records, using a canonical format. This
- protocol provides the framework for OPAC users to search remote
- catalogs on the Internet using the commands of their own local
- systems. Projects are now in development to provide Z39.50 support
- for catalogs on the Internet. SR (Search and Retrieval), ISO Draft
- International Standard 10162/10163 is the international version of Z39.50.