Systems Annual Report 1997-8
Overview
- Perry Bratcher - Automation Librarian (4/89- )
- Geraldine Williams - Special Projects Librarian (1/97- )
- Todd Walton - Network Coordinator (7/94- )
The 97/98 year has been a 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, Hewlett-Packard (HP) representatives and other computer vendors. The Automation Librarian is responsible for managing the division and troubleshooting HP Unix/Oracle products. The Systems Librarian is primarily responsible for VTLS troubleshooting. The Network Coordinator is primarily responsible for networking/PC troubleshooting. Since late August, 1997, 385 requests have been resolved by the division via the libauto e-mail account. These include 47 printer requests, 207 PC hardware/software requests, 107 NKUIRE requests, and 24 miscellaneous requests.
Activities in the division can be subdivided into four broad categories: HP maintenance, NKUIRE maintenance, Networking/PC/CD-ROM LAN maintenance and Miscellaneous. These categories will be addressed in detail below. A section also discusses the division's activities directly related to the 1997-98 Steely Library Objectives.
HP Maintenance
The HP 3000/MPE system was replaced in January 1998 with an HP9000/Unix system. While the 3000 system required little maintenance, this is not true with the HP 9000 system, which must be constantly monitored and "tweaked". During the time that the 3000 system was used during this fiscal year (July-December), only one service call was placed to HP (tape backup unit problem). Manual backups were made while the 3000 system was utilized. Once the 9000 system was implemented, automated backups were initiated (which saved 3 hours/week staff time). The Unix hard/software was installed the first week of January and the system was brought up for staff the next week. Due to many implementation problems, the system wasn't stabilized until mid-February. Because of the delay between attendance at system training classes (March-June '97) and implementation in January 1998, a lot of training knowledge was lost. This led to some of the problems encountered in stabilizing the system. The Automation Librarian is still experimenting and learning about the various aspects of the Unix system.
NKUIRE Maintenance
The Systems Librarian is continuing to learn the operations of the NKUIRE system through the VTLS software. Prior to the installation of the Unix system, NKUIRE was placed outside the campus computing firewall. This resolved some lingering access issues. The software was also upgraded twice. The Fall '97 semester was used to plan for migration to the Unix-based system. The "old" system was "frozen" after the fall semester and the data sent to VTLS for loading onto the new system. The new system was then un-frozen the second week of January 1998. After this transfer, a new method for gathering statistics was also introduced. Questions and concerns regarding NKUIRE from the various reengineering teams were also fielded by the division. Due to delays from VTLS, the new VTLS system (Virtua) was not implemented. However, access to a test version was setup for the staff so that they could comment on its development. Staff access to the web gateway product was also provided so that implementation plans could be discussed. The Automation Librarian served as Chair of the VTLS User Group OPAC Subcommittee.
Networking/PC/CD-ROM LAN Maintenance
The Division continues to resolve most problems in-house. Additional access ports were installed at the periodicals desk, two in the loggia, and two on the third floor. EasyPAC access was added to the PCs in the Electronic Classroom and additional PC's were placed in the LRC, and on the first, second and fourth floors of Steely. OCLC access was set up for ILL and for Archives. Twelve new PCs were purchased for staff/OPACs. Those staff PCs which were replaced were reconfigured for OPAC use when possible. New PCs and a hub were purchased for the CD-ROM LAN and some were upgraded. Security software was installed on all public PCs and universal menus were created. Access to the CD-ROM LAN was also placed on the campus network, which allows access throughout the library. One PC can now possibly access NKUIRE, e-mail, Netscape and the CD-ROM LAN. A great deal of time is spent by the division in maintaining operations in this area.
Miscellaneous
There were various miscellaneous duties which made a great impact on the division this year. In the fall of '97 the division implemented two new improvements to service, the libauto account and weekly updates. The libauto e-mail account replaced the paper automation requests previously used. This was done in order to increase response time and to keep better records. These requests are also tracked in the weekly e-mail automation updates. The update informs all faculty and staff the status of their requests and lets everyone know what is being done in the library. The Automation Librarian also e-mails the minutes of all Technology Team minutes. The Tech Team meets at least monthly to discuss technology issues. The Automation Division also updated its policies and procedures in October 1997 (the last update being December 1995).
In order to track PC hardware in the library, the PC inventory was converted to MS Access. This inventory is continually maintained so that better planning can result. Using this inventory, a plan was developed and being implemented to replace all sub-Pentium staff PCs. The sub-Pentium PCs are being converted to OPACs. This plan is also utilized for equipment requests.
Duties Related to the 1997-98 Library Objectives
The Automation Division impacted a number of the library objectives and are detailed below:
Objective A:
To continue to enhance user services, Steely Library will pursue funding to improve access to NKUIRE, its online catalog, by implementing a system upgrade, by providing additional PCs and access points, and by loading bibliographic records for periodicals.
Automation response: The new Unix-based system for NKUIRE access was implemented in January. Additional PCs were placed on the first, second and fourth floors. These PCs provided additional access points, as did the addition of NKUIRE to the LAN and classroom PC menus.
Objective F:
To expand its role of providing access to information, the Library will continue to investigate how to offer improvements in electronic services, including the Internet and library web page development, document delivery, and the CD-ROM local area network.
Automation response: The division improved electronic services by upgrading and expanding the CD-ROM LAN. Additional access points were also provided to the LAN and the electronic classroom. The division provided access to the Virtua web gateway product for staff experimentation. OCLC access was provided for ILL.
Objective G:
To improve user services the Library will endeavor to replace aging equipment on a regular schedule.
Automation response: The division now regularly maintains a PC inventory which is used for planning purposes. Equipment is requested as needed to meet library services.
Objective H:
To evaluate new system software prior to installation, the Library will serve as one of two U.S. libraries as an early implementer of the VTLS Virtua Library system.
Automation response: The division has remained in regular contact with VTLS regarding this issue. The implementation has been delayed by VTLS. The division has upgraded its hardware per specifications. In May, 1998 the division sent an updated profile for use by VTLS in the creating of a timeframe for implementation. The division provided access to a test Virtua database for staff comments.
updated: Wednesday, 24-Aug-2005 11:38:41 EDT