----------------------------Original message----------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Fermon [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, August 01, 1997 2:01 PM
To: 'ARTSIG-L'
Subject:
The second meeting of ARTSIG (METRO) was held Tuesday July 22, 1997, 3-5
P.M. It was hosted by Kathy Reddick (Continuing Education/ Member
Services Coordinator) and Kevin Hutchinson (Information Technology
Manager). Seven members attended.
The agenda posed questions arising from the previous ARTSIG meeting:
1) What is the status of METRO's WINDOWS interface? Is it running? How
does one access it? Can we use our WINRLIN software with the full range of
tech. services activities (e.g., inputting, importing, exporting, ILL)?
ANSWERS: METRO's graphic interface is running and available at a rate of
$15 a month per account. Earlier "DOS" interfaces will be billed at a
rate of $10 a month, shortly. Floyd Sweeting (Frick) noted that even the
$15 is approximately $10 less than commercial providers already used by
some ARTSIG members and that the METRO interface has the additional
advantage of METRO support and NYSERNET technical know-how. RLIN software
will, of course, run on it, conceivably helping some of those libraries
having trouble with internet connectivity. Those interested should
contact METRO to set up an account.
2) What is the status of METRO's training schedule for new classes in
Windows95, MS ACCESS, MS EXCEL, etc? What would be required of ARTSIG to
set up these programs (i.e., is there a minimum number of members we would
have to guarantee before METRO would begin?)
ANSWERS: There have been discussions at METRO about advanced MS Office
software training, but, as yet, there is no program. The group urged Kathy
and Kevin to report to Joe Spadaro [et al.] about the importance of this
for us. Dan (MoMA) cited MoMA library's new Voyager system's reliance on
MS-ACCESS for convenient report generation as a justification for training
MoMA library personnel. Greta Earnest (Pratt) pointed out that requests
for an MSOffice program came up in the early days of ARTSIG's formation
over a year ago, and yet, there has been no progress. Kathy and Kevin
said they would convey the urgency of ARTSIG's request and ask that it be
classed as a priority.
3) Can METRO begin exploring the possibility of shared access to
databases, such as, LC DESKTOP, ART INDEX, Encyclopedia Britannica, and
other products (presumably available on the web) that might be
prohibitively expensive for individual libraries? How long will this
take? Does METRO need to "sign up" a minimum number in order to inaugurate
such a subscription?
ANSWERS: Kevin said this was certainly possible and could even be done as
an "Extra net" arrangement, a kind of small network within the internet
that could be shared among ARTSIG member libraries.
Deborah Kempe (Frick) cited a few limitations of shared arrangements. She
mentioned that when the Frick was considering the RLG/METRO shared access
to BHA, the requirements (developing and coordinating a consortium of at
least 5 institutions; administering and managing the arrangement, etc.)
were problematic enough to make the discount not as attractive as a private
CD-ROM subscription. And when considering using METRO's OCLC First Search
shared program, she found that the selection of databases was limited, more
useful, perhaps, for a public library or general academic environment. Of
course, ARTSIG could campaign for an enhanced list that would be more
appropriate for art libraries.
Generally, however, the idea can't be dismissed out of hand. All those
present felt it offered possibilities for future programs and should be
explored further.
4) What is the progress of the new RLG-NYSERNET east coast mirror site?
ANSWER: Kevin said the mirror site was up and running. More recent
information (culled after the meeting) reveals that this mirror site is
only available through METRO.
5) If an individual ARTSIG institution needs consulting on a technological
problem (e.g., local software package that doesn't work right), what is the
mechanism for expediting that consulting? Does METRO provide addresses?
Are there discount rates if more than one institution uses a consultant?
Some useful and encouraging answers were forthcoming. METRO could perform
simple, over-the-phone consultations--if time and circumstances allow.
METRO could also suggest names of consultants. But Kathy suggested that
someone in the group submit an "article" to the METRO newsletter soliciting
recommendations and evaluations from libraries regarding consultants they
have used and also inviting consultants themselves to "post" their
credentials and (most importantly) their library experience. Everyone
could then draw from this list. Dan Fermon agreed to write it up and work
with Kathy, etc. to get it published.
The next meeting of ARTSIG will be in the fall, the announcement will be
forthcoming on ARTSIG-L, METRO-L and ARLIS-L.
Daniel Fermon
Asst. Librarian/Cataloging
Museum of Modern Art Library (New York, N.Y.)
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(212) 708-9434
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