Systems Annual Report 1996-7
Overview
- Perry Bratcher - Automation Librarian (4/89- )
- Geraldine Williams - Special Projects Librarian (1/97- )
- Todd Walton - Network Coordinator (7/94- )
The 96/97 year has been another busy one for the Automation Division. The primary responsibilities of the division are maintenance of the automated library system (NKUIRE) and troubleshooting (Academic/Administrative Computing liaison) for other hardware, software, and networking issues. The division also reviews the hardware and software needs of all library departments and, through working as part of the Technology Team (which includes Automation Division personnel, the Library Director, and the Electronic Reference Services Librarian) recommends the necessary purchases for maintaining the information needs of library staff and library customers. The team balances these needs with budget and staffing constraints. The division also acts as an NKUIRE problem troubleshooter for the Chase Law Library. The division also contacts various agencies outside the university, primarily VTLS representatives, HP representatives and other computer vendors.
In January, a librarian position was transferred to the division. Job duties for this position are still being refined. Eventually this position will act as a contact for Virtua troubleshooting. The Automation Librarian will be responsible for managing the division and troubleshooting HP Unix/Oracle products. According to statistics kept from division service request forms, 54% of the problems are resolved within one day, 26% within one week, and 20% longer than one week. Also using these statistics, 60% are resolved by the Network Coordinator, 16% by student workers, 13% by the Automation Librarian, 9% by the Electronic Reference Services Librarian and Special Projects Librarian, and 2% were referred to the Offices of Academic/Administrative Computing.
Request forms for the Chase Law Library were created in late November. Of the 13 requests submitted, 11 were resolved by the Automation Librarian and 2 by the Network Coordinator/Special Projects Librarian. These requests dealt almost exclusively with NKUIRE software.
Activities in the division can be subdivided into five broad categories: HP maintenance, NKUIRE maintenance, Networking, CD-ROM LAN, and Other. These categories will be addressed in detail below.
HP Maintenance
The HP hardware/software virtually runs itself, requiring little maintenance needs throughout the year. During the summer, experimentation began on providing dial-access to the system via modem lines for users who did not have VAX accounts. The service was provided for approximately one month but connection problems arose and these problems could never be resolved. This service was dropped. Manual backup of the system continues to be maintained. The backups will be automated once hardware for the Unix system is installed. The only service call logged for HP was due to a printer setup problem.
NKUIRE Software
Until December, maintenance of the NKUIRE system was primarily the duty of the Automation Librarian. In January, the Special Projects Librarian position was added to the division. This position will gradually be responsible for all operations of NKUIRE. This will relieve the Automation Librarian for administrative duties and for learning and maintaining the new Unix/Oracle systems for Virtua. Virtua is the next generation of the VTLS (NKUIRE) software which will require use of new system hardware and software (Unix/Oracle). Implementation has been continually delayed by VTLS requiring maintenance of the current (VTLS '94) system.
In anticipation of implementation, Technology Fee funds were sought for the purchase of the system and OPACs. Also included in this request was funding for Automation Librarian training. Due to the fact that funds were supposed to be expended by June 30, 1997, all training had to be completed before that date.
The Automation Librarian attended eight weeks of training on Unix and Oracle system use during the spring. Installation is tentatively planned for December of 1997 with Virtua software set tentatively set for March '98 implementation. Most of the year was spent on determining the hardware needs of library staff for implementation and fitting these needs into the budget allotted for the main system.
During this time, the NKUIRE system was maintained as normal. Several patch tapes were loaded during the year and problems were resolved as needed. In the fall, new OCLC PCs were purchased for the Cataloging Department and it took several months for this equipment to be properly configured. In the spring, the Special Projects Librarian was trained on NKUIRE operations. The Automation Librarian continues to serve as Chair of the VTLS User Group OPAC Subcommittee.
Networking
The Network Coordinator continues to resolve most problems in-house. The set-up of OPAC PCs (with NKUIRE, Netscape, and E-mail capabilities) took a lot of troubleshooting at first. Also, a lot of work took place in ordering equipment, running lines, and setting up the Electronic Classroom. This setup was still being finalized at year's end. The Network Coordinator also assisted with setup of the Electronic Classroom in the Chase Law Library. During the year, Academic Computing was consulted on a number of networking and PC issues. This area will continue to grow as more PCs are added in the library.
CD-ROM LAN
The CD-ROM LAN is a "joint maintenance effort" of the Network Coordinator and the Electronic Reference Services Librarian. These two positions work together on troubleshooting, maintaining, upgrading and planning for future use of this operation. These two positions also work together in resolving these same issues with "stand-alone" CD workstations. These operations consist of maintaining 10 LAN PCs and 10 stand-alone PCs.
Other
Other major projects of the division were centered around the following: 286 PC replacement, reengineering, and miscellaneous.
Due to the Technology Fee and 286 Replacement funding, major shifts in PC usage were experienced during the year. All pre-Pentium OCLC PCs in Technical Services were replaced. This enhanced access to everyone for Netscape, e-mail and Microsoft Office 97. Connections had to be reconfigured for this usage. In addition, all faculty PCs were replaced with Pentiums (those replaced will be reconfigured for OPAC usage). Fourteen 286 PCs were replaced with Pentiums. All of these PCs had to be configured and set up. Most of the spring was spent doing so.
The Automation Librarian volunteered to coordinate the implementation of re-engineering in the library. One of the first steps was to form "teams" which would look at operations of the various library operations as they relate to Virtua. The re-engineering teams spend the spring reviewing and flowcharting their operations. The re-engineering steering team was trained in re-engineering concepts and also implemented focus groups to gather opinions from library customers on their needs and expectations of the library.
Other duties carried out by the division are too numerous to mention. Of note, the Network Coordinator was in charge of coordinating the review the printing needs of various departments on campus. The PC inventory was implemented by a co-op student worker, the Special Projects Librarian attended numerous training classes on PC software and the Automation Librarian attended several state-wide meetings regarding technology issues. The Automation Librarian also taught a course on library technology during Intercession.
updated: Wednesday, 24-Aug-2005 11:37:25 EDT