Davis, 'Introducing the Next-Generation, Online Information System', NCSU Libraries Newsletter v20n02 (September 1992) _The NCSU Libraries Newsletter_ Volume 20 no. 2 September 1992 Davis, Jinnie Y.01 "Introducing the Next-Generation, Online Information System" Over the last few years, the staff of the NCSU Libraries has been putting into place the resources and arrangements necessary to carry out its plans for a more comprehensive, state-of-the-art system for library users to find and obtain information. Four major new systems are now in various stages of being implemented in cooperation with NCSU's Triangle Research Libraries Network (TRLN) partners, UNC- Chapel Hill and Duke: *A next-generation, online information system with exciting new capabilities will replace the library's BIS online catalog. While BIS has provided more than five years of service to TRLN users, the limitations of its software and hardware led the TRLN libraries to halt its further development. *The UnCover service brings to the Triangle both remote searching of a large database of journal articles and the capability of electronically placing orders for copies of desired articles. *CD-ROMs will become more widely accessible as the library loads some databases directly onto the new information system. *A pilot document delivery system that fulfills the next step in information retrieval--getting materials into the hands of the user--has just been funded. The NCSU Libraries' approach to implementation will be to phase in portions of the new system as they become operational, inviting members of the NCSU user community to help test new features and noting their reactions. Some of these features are described below. Upcoming issues of the _NCSU Libraries Newsletter_ will provide continued coverage of the new online system during this critical implementation period. MAJOR MILESTONES, COMPLETED AND PROJECTED Late 1990: Intensive investigation and assessment at all three TRLN sites leads to the unanimous selection of software from Data Research Associates, which runs on a Digital Equipment VAX. Spring 1991: Funding from the Triangle Universities Center for Advanced Studies, Inc. (TUCASI) helps support the TRLN libraries' software purchases. March 1992: The NCSU Libraries forms working groups to address issues relating to: the bibliographic database, online public access catalog, circulation/reserve/interlibrary loan/document delivery, external databases, collection management, acquisitions/serials control, training, and communications. May 1992: The NCSU Libraries becomes the first TRLN institution to purchase and install its Digital Equipment hardware. September 1992: Installation of Data Research software. Fall 1992: Conversion of TRLN database of more than three-million records into Data Research format. Early 1993: Migration of maintenance and circulation functions to new system. Early Spring 1993: Load local databases and non-BIS databases. Spring 1993: Cutover to new system for library users. FEATURES OF NEW SYSTEM Use of the software from Data Research Associates will offer NCSU's library users improved capabilities in three areas: 1. Improved features for performing the most basic kinds of catalog functions, such as the ability to search by keyword instead of the exact sequence of words in a title, and capacity to limit a search by the language of the publication. 2. Expansion of the system to include features lacking in BIS, in particular, a comprehensive acquisitions and serials control system that will allow users to search the new catalog to learn what items have been ordered and their status. 3. Extensions beyond the traditional online catalog, such as mounting the Government Printing Office database on the NCSU computer so users can search for NCSU's government documents electronically, and the opening of gateways to others information services. TRLN LIBRARIES WIN GRANT FOR DOCUMENT DELIVERY STUDY The U.S. Department of Education has awarded one of the largest grants in the history of its Title II-D College Library Technology and Cooperation Program to the three TRLN libraries. The $321,652 grant will fund a two-year study of "A Model Automated Document Delivery System for Research Libraries." The online catalog and electronic table-of-contents service now make it possible for library users in the Triangle to find needed information quickly and even to order articles electronically. The "missing link" in the provision of information, however, has been the final step of delivering the documents or materials to the user. For the most part, users must still go to a physical library location to pick up the materials that have been identified. The proposed study will allow the creation of just such a service by integrating a client/server document delivery capability through the TRLN libraries' new online information system. First, the project will create an electronic document- ordering system, a client program that allows users to order documents from the new online information system. The proposed new system will handle requests for borrowing materials, for having photocopies made, for transmitting them via telefacsimile, or for direct electronic delivery of materials. Second, the project will create a document server that fulfills requests from the ordering client. The server knows the location of items that are available through the catalog and contains client data needed for billing and delivery. The federal funds will support staffing to supplement TRLN staff in system design and implementation, as well as financing hardware and software costs. The TRLN libraries will contribute one third of the required matching funds in personnel and hardware. John E. Ulmschneider (assistant director for Library Systems), will serve as principal investigator for the cooperative project, which will begin October 1, 1992. The NCSU Libraries' recently completed Electronic Document Delivery Service, involving faculty in the Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and in the College of Textiles, helped to lay the basis for portions of the new study. The model resulting from the II-D project is expected to serve as a document delivery prototype for research libraries around the world.