Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 20, 1994 TAG: 9403210164
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-22 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE LENGTH: Medium
The CAT in question is, technically, the Mountain Computer Network Catalog which will connect the Wytheville library with four others now and maybe more later.
Patrons can view the materials catalog on any of four computer screens instead of having to dig through the card catalog. ``You're not only going to see the books that are here at the Wytheville library, you're going to see the books that are available at the other three libraries,'' said Alan Blevins, system coordinator.
The others are in Independence, Hillsville and Galax, and their materials can be checked out by patrons from any of the four libraries.
``In a sense, it's a virtual library. It's increased the size of the Wytheville library about four times,'' Blevins said.
Book titles in the home library are highlighted on computer screens so patrons can see what is immediately available and what might take a few days to obtain.
Blevins said there have been discussions with representatives of public libraries in Pulaski, Smyth and Washington counties about their becoming part of the computer network and adding their materials.
Most of those libraries have already gone to internal computer systems in place of card catalogs. In Pulaski County, the computer shows books in both the Pulaski and Dublin libraries.
The systems are different, but could still link up, according to Michael Gilley, director of the Wythe-Grayson Regional Library system.
``The differences in the hardware don't matter that much anymore,'' he said, because software programs can be designed for them to communicate with one another.
``We're very fortunate to have started off with the size network that we did,'' Gilley said. ``It's only a matter of time before all the libraries are going to be tied together one way or another.''
A system shared by four libraries not only makes more titles available to all patrons but allowed the costs of the network to be shared, saving money for each partner. A federal Library Services and Construction Act grant was obtained to hire a company to key in the typewritten catalog to the computer system, but all additions will be made by library staff members.
The computerized catalog also offers more options. ``It'll do all that our old card catalog would do and a whole lot more besides that,'' said Blevins.
Readers can peck in the name of an author, title or even just a key word or subject area, and the computer will show all the books, magazines, videos and other materials that are available for it.
Punching the number by a title brings up all the information that the card catalog showed as well as whether the book is available, when it is due back if it is out, and even a synopsis of what it is about. The system can also provide such information as an author's latest book.
Brochures on the computer tables are available to guide noncomputer users through the process, and library staff members are available to assist. Blevins predicted that even computer-shy people would soon find themselves enjoying all the new options.
The system will take care of a lot of the clerical work that the staff has been doing. ``Instead of filing cards, we can be out helping patrons,'' Blevins said. ``This will, in effect, pay for itself rather quickly.''
He said the time will come when people with personal computers and modems at their homes or offices could dial into the library database.
Blevins is commuting from Sparta, N.C., but hopes to move to Independence before too long. He will be based in Wytheville, the digital-line communications center for the system, but will visit the other libraries each week.
He had been running a computer business in Sparta when illness sidelined him for a time. Even when he recovered, he was advised to start back with part-time work instead of the hectic schedule he had been keeping.
He found a job in the Wythe-Grayson library system with its bookmobile for a year and a half, then worked in circulation for a year. So he was familiar with both computers and with library procedures and terminology when the systems manager job opened up.
by CNB