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Volume 1 Issue 1November 1997

Technology Standards Recommended For Libraries and Learning Resources

Carolyn Norman
Coordinator, Libraries and Learning Resources Programs, CCCCO

The Technology and Telecommunications Ad Hoc Committee of the Library and Learning Resources Programs have recommended technology standards to improve the accessibility and quality of the college systems Library and Learning Resources Programs.

The recommended technology standards are an expansion of the initial recommendations included in the systemwide Telecommunications Technology Infrastructure Program. This program was funded by the 1996 State Budget Act. The program calls for: (1) acquisition and installation of equipment, lease of communications lines, software and other costs associated with connecting to 4CNet; (2) local telecommunication planning and the development and expansion of local area networks, including satellite systems components; (3) local planning and development for improving library technology, including connections to local area networks; (4) planning and development of district wide area networks for interconnecting multiple campuses and off-campus centers with a district; (5) development, implementation, and or evaluation of local technology applications for student learning and instruction, students, and administration services; (6) Human Resources Training Center for faculty, students, and staff; and (7) testing of application pilots in instructional services, student services, and administrative services.

In its first year of implementation, the system's efforts were to link all community colleges in three modes: (1) data via connection to 4CNet; (2) video-conferencing at each college and district; and (3) dual satellite downlink capacity (digital/analog/C-Ku Band) for each college and district. Local planning and development for improving library technology, including connections to local area networks, is mandated for year two of the telecommunications program funding.

According to the Library Technology Ad Hoc Committee, the primary focus of the library and learning resources technology and electronic resources initiatives are to provide faculty and student access to the resources in the college systems libraries and learning resources programs. The 1997-98 State Budget Act allocated approximately $3.3 million for the initial phase of the project.

Based on the results of the Library and Learning Resources Automation Survey administered in August 1997, the preliminary standards adopted in the Fall of 1996, and national information industry standards to access and retrieve information, the Technology and Telecommunications Ad Hoc Committee of Library and Learning Resources Programs recommended required and optional standards for the college systems libraries.

Required Areas:

• MARC Conversion- That community colleges convert no less that 75% of their college library collection to U.S. MARC cataloging standard.
  
  MARC is the foundation for library technology and electronic resources. It is the universal format for the conversion of library collections into a machine readable format. Therefore colleges must spend funds to convert and or shift their records to the U.S. MARC format.
  
  
• A fax machine in the library (Group IV or higher)- Fax machines are essential for borrowing and lending information within the community college system.
  
  
• The signature of the library dean/director or head librarian on the college's Telecommunications Technology Infrastructure expenditure plan.

Optional Areas:

When a college has met the three required initiatives, the telecommunications funds may be spent in any of four optional library areas.

• Library Automation System and directly related costs. The library automation system must adhere to the Z39.50 ANSI protocol. The initial modules to be acquired and/or upgrade are Cataloging, Electronic Public Catalog (OPAC), and Circulation.
  
  If an existing automation system does not meet the Z39.50 ANSI protocol and the college has not committed funds to upgrade to the Z39.50 protocol within one fiscal year, the system must be upgraded to this protocol before funds can be expended in other areas. (Documentation to this effect must be included with the expenditure plan.)
  
  
• Electronic Resources and Databases. No more than 10 percent of the college?s total allocation can be spent on electronic resources and databases until the following criteria are met:
  
  -An automation system with the Z39.50 ANSI protocol; a minimum of five public access points (terminals) in the library; remote access capability for a minimum of five simultaneous users.
  
  
• Internet Connectivity and Access. Every library should have a degree of Internet connectivity and access which should include: web access to staff and public users; e-mail access from outside users to the library; telnet access to the online catalog.
  
  
• Library Technology Plan. Every college should have a Library and Learning Resources Technology Plan and funds from this grant can be used for this purpose. Workshops and model frameworks coordinated by the Library and Learning Resources Telecommunications Committee will be forthcoming.