[Editor], 'LITA in Miami Beach', LITA Newsletter v15n03 URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/lita/lita-v15n03-[editor]-lita V15N3.MIAMI LITANEWS ------------------------------------- LITA in Miami Beach LITA offers an unusually wide variety of programs in Miami Beach and Miami this June. The notes that follow include all LITA-sponsored programs and some preconferences. The LITA Newsletter needs volunteer reporters for most of these programs, as indicated by the [**] following program names. If you're interested in reporting, contact Walt Crawford: Internet br.wcc@rlg.stanford.edu, fax (415) 964-0943; RLG, 1200 Villa Street, Mountain View, CA 94041-1100. Wrestling with the Future: Decision-Making Strategies for Electronic Information Resources Friday, June 24, 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. In an ever-changing and highly technical environment, libraries continually face challenges when dealing with electronic information resources and the technologies required to make use of them. Speakers at this day-long preconference will cover the critical issues and offer creative strategies and options for planning for your library's future. Tom Wilson (University of Houston) will begin with an overview. Craig Summerhill (Coalition for Networked Information) will survey equipment options and network issues, systems and strategies. Sam Demas (Cornell University) will investigate collection development and preservation challenges and schemes. Florence Mason (F. Mason & Associates) will discuss institutional challenges affecting libraries in this changing environment. Marty Schlabach (Cornell University) and Paul Bergen (University of Virginia) will explore how to instruct and direct library staff and patrons to access electronic information resources. Elena Carvajal (EDS) will survey decisions and schemes developed in an active corporate library. Finally, Tom Wilson will wrap up the topics explored during the day. Contact the LITA Office to register for this preconference, which is sponsored by the Emerging Technologies, Optical Information Systems and Online Catalogs Interest Groups. Automation Product Review Saturday, June 25, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. The LITA Program Planning Committee invites you to the LITA Automation Product Review. Library automation vendors will be giving 15 minute presentations on new or updated products. Attendees will receive a booklet with brief information about each vendor and product presented. The programs are structured to encourage drop-in attendance. The schedule follows. 8:30 RetroLink Associates: RLA Blink 8:45 Data Trek: Image Link 9:00 The MARC of Quality: MARC Review 9:15 Gaylord Information Systems: Galaxy Community Information Module 9:30 Brodart: Precision One MediaSource 9:45 VIS Consultants: Media Manager/Semester 10:00 Winnebago Software: CIRC/CAT for Macintosh 3.0 10:15 Winnebago Software: CIRC/CAT for IBM v5.0 10:30 Winnebago Software: Winnebago Union CAT 10:45 NOTIS: NOTIS Horizon 11:00 Data Research Associates: Client/Server Workstation 11:15 CARL Corp.: Everybody's Catalog 1:00 EBSCO Publishing: CD-ROM Reference Databases 1:15 Readex: United Nations Development Programme & International CD Newsbank 1:30 Information Access Co.: Central 2000 1:45 Follett Software Co.: Informationplus 2:00 Virtual Microsystems: Cdworks 2:15 CD Plus Technologies: Z39.50-Compliant Client/Server Software Solutions 2:30 SilverPlatter: Search Advisor 2:45 SilverPlatter: Internet Delivery Project 3:00 Research Libraries Group: Eureka 3:15 CARL Corp.: UnCover Complete and Reveal 3:30 OCLC: ContentsAlert 3:45 OCLC: OCLC Electronic Journals Online Z39.50: Implementation and Impact Saturday, June 25, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. During the past year, Z39.50 functionality has begun to appear in library systems, either developed locally or provided by vendors. This program (cosponsored by the Online Catalog Interest Group and the Technical Standards for Library Automation Committee) is intended for library staff and managers who are thinking about expanding their online systems with Z39.50 client/server software. Experienced implementers of the Z39.50 standard will describe their experiences and explore the impact of Z39.50 on library services. Panelists will report on the challenges, successes, and work yet to be done in providing access to remote systems using this evolving standard that has been hailed as a solution to interconnectivity among disparate library systems. Taking a step beyond past ALA programs that have covered the theory, potential and implications of Z39.50, this program will focus on the practical experiences of implementing and using Z39.50 client software and its impact on the end-user of our online systems. The session will be moderated by TESLA chair Mark Hinnebusch (Florida Center for Library Automation) and will feature presentations by Dace Freivalds and Sylvia Carson (Pennsylvania State University); Robert Carterette (Cleveland Public Library); Denise Troll (Carnegie Mellon University); and Genevieve Engel (University of California Division of Library Automation). (Details of this session may be found in the "Standard Fare" column in this issue of the LITA Newsletter). If your library is considering implementation of Z39.50 software, this is a session you won't want to miss! Building Bridges: Effective Communication of End-User Needs to Electronic System Designers [**] Saturday, June 25, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. LITA's Online Catalog Interest Group cosponsors this program, presented by the RASD MOPSS Catalog Use Committee. The program will explore and identify effective means for communicating end-user needs to electronic library system vendors. Questions to be addressed include: What is the relationship between research findings and product development? How much weight do user-group concerns carry in the formulation of vendor priorities? How can the "librarian in the trenches" effectively convey end-user needs so that the end result is product improvement? Do vendors hear what librarians tell them? These issues will be discussed by the audience and panelists Liz Bishoff, Moderator (OCLC); Jane Burke (NOTIS Systems, Inc.); Paula Busey (CARL Systems, Inc.); Anita I. Cook (OhioLINK); Sarah Ann Long (North Suburban Library System); Marcia J. Bates (UCLA); and Karen Markey Drabenstott (University of Michigan). Program chair is Linda Thompson (University of Houston Libraries). Shared Systems for Small Libraries: How to Automate Together [**] Saturday, June 25, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Librarians from small libraries (and especially school libraries) should be well served by this program, sponsored by LITA's Small Integrated Library Systems Interest Group. Teresa Day (Southwestern College) will describe her experience with an ongoing county-wide consortium automation project involving six small school, public and academic libraries. Elisabeth Logan (Florida State University) is studying barriers to interlibrary cooperation. Richard Fritz (Pasco County School District) will describe his experiences in a networked school district that started with a five-year plan in 1989; he will also discuss technological aspects of shared systems. Greg Zuck (Southwestern College) will moderate the program. Taking the Network Plunge: Remote Library Users and Electronic Networks [**] Saturday, June 25, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. If your library does not yet have access to the Internet and you want to know more about your options, consider attending this program, cosponsored by ACRL's Extended Campus Library Services Section and the LITA Telecommunications Interest Group. The rapid growth of distance learning technologies has significantly affected the delivery of library services, particularly as libraries struggle to meet the needs of a growing number of off-campus students and faculty. To serve these users, both academic and public libraries must make decisions about cost-effective means of accessing networked information resources. Beyond just installing Internet connections, librarians must also learn how to support effective use of networked information at all levels of learning and ability. This program will outline strategies for keeping up with constantly changing network technologies. The presentations will be non-technical and should benefit public library staff as well as academic librarians. James G. Neal (Indiana University) will give an overview of the issues involved with distance learning and networked information. He will also recommend ways that librarians themselves can become more effective users of networked information. Kate Wakefield (Western Libraries Network) will outline Internet access options. What does it take to be connected to the Internet, how much will it cost? What should libraries insist on as they make their arguments to funding sources? Daniel Barron (University of South Carolina) will discuss the impact of these technologies on library staff and patrons. How does our work change, and how do we cope with these changes? What role does collaboration play in successfully implementing distance education programs? Librarians Abroad: Myths and Realities in Creating a Technological Infrastructure [**] Saturday, June 25, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. LITA's International Relations Committee presents this program, at which three speakers will present perspectives on library technology in other countries. A major consultant to South America in the field of information technology will discuss "Challenges in Network Development Facing Librarians: A Perspective from South America." Saadia Sanchez-Vegas (National Library of Venezuela) will speak on "Reaching Out: At Home and Abroad." David Martin (University of Iowa), a USIA Fellow to South America, will discuss "Using Technology, or How Working Abroad Really Works." Using Desktop Publishing and Graphic Design to Improve Library Publications [**] Sunday, June 26, 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. How can you improve your library publications through graphic design? Speakers at this program (sponsored by the Desktop Publishing Interest Group) will assess current library publications (bibliographies, reference guides, newsletters, posters, etc.) and discuss principles of graphic design that have great impact on readers. Intended for computer literate librarians, library newsletter editors, bibliographic instruction coordinators from public, academic and special libraries, the program will focus on the process of redesigning specific types of publications and producing them using desktop publishing packages, as well as the research done to support these design concepts. Ray E. Metz (Case Western Reserve University) and Gail Junion-Metz (Cleveland State University) will speak. Walt Crawford (Research Libraries Group) will moderate. Images in your OPAC: Online Access to Library Print, Picture and Document Collections [**] Sunday, June 26, 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. The Online Catalog and Optical Information System Interest Groups are cosponsoring this program presented by PLA's Technology in Public Libraries Committee. Richard Boss (Information Systems Consultants, Inc.) will provide an introduction and overview of imaging technology and its integration in online public access catalogs, including the range of options, technical and site requirements, vendor choices and image technology trends and directions. Ron Abbott (Boulder Public Library) and Richard Thompson (National Agricultural Library) will describe and demonstrate their libraries' imaging projects. Starting Down the Information Superhighway in Your Library: Cadillac Not Required [**] Sunday, June 26, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. This program, cosponsored by LITA's Education Committee and Telecommunications Interest Group and by the Public Library Association, will take the mystery out of computer-to-computer telecommunications for librarians with limited or no prior experience. Brian Nielson (Northwestern University) and Chris Tomer (University of Pittsburgh) will teach how to extend the scope of the library via remote online connections without having to be a telecommunications whiz. The program will provide a practical demonstration of telecommunications survival skills. Using Built-in Program Development Languages to Create Customized Applications [**] Sunday, June 26, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. During this program (sponsored by the Customized Applications for Library Microcomputers Interest Group, CALM), speakers will demonstrate applications that they have developed using application development languages that come with specific off-the-shelf software programs and will discuss the processes and techniques used to create them. These will include a dBASE application that creates a database from OCLC authority records in a multi-user, networked environment; a Paradox application that enables book selectors to submit orders via a local area network; an application that tracks ILL requests using Paradox for Windows and Visual Basic; and various automation applications (such as circulation and cataloging) using askSam. Speakers include Dan Marmion (Oklahoma State University), Margaret Mooney (University of California, Riverside), John D. Lewis (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) and Marcia D. Talley (U. S. Government Accounting Office). Serials: Converting for the Future [**] Sunday, June 26, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Since serials play such an important part in a library's collection, having that material accessible in your online system is vital to its use. Speakers will address the topics of bibliographic record conversion through a subscription agent, adding holdings information, and handling serials conversion through in-house conversion. This program is sponsored by two LITA/ALCTS Interest Groups, Retrospective Conversion and Serials Automation. The Information Future [**] Sunday, June 26, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Is there a reference robot in your future? Come and explore the future of libraries and information with the Imagineering Interest Group as we hear from two unique voices in science fiction, Gene Wolfe and Greg Bear. Gene Wolfe is a prolific award-winning author. His latest book Lake of the Long Sun has received widespread praise. Wolfe will be joined by Greg Bear, author of the award-winning Blood Music and the current bestseller Moving Mars. Access to Digital Images: Finding Your Way in the Labyrinth [**] Sunday, June 26, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. This program will explain some of the major issues involved with providing access to digital images--black and white, gray scale and color, each posing different technical problems. Howard Besser (Canadian Center for Architecture) will provide an overview of the current imaging climate. He will be followed by Thomas Hickerson (Cornell University), Marilyn Lutz (University of Maine) and Pamela Mason (National Agricultural Library), who will describe and demonstrate imaging applications in their libraries and in networked systems including the Internet. A special feature of the program will be an informational packet on digital imaging technology. The packet will contain an imaging bibliography, an inventory of current imaging projects in libraries, an imaging glossary, selected articles on imaging and sample issues of imaging journals. The packet combines the efforts of several of the cosponsoring groups in LITA (Emerging Technologies Interest Group), ALCTS (Electronic Imaging Technologies Committee and Preservation Microfilming Committee) and PLA (Technology in Public Libraries Committee). Artificial Intelligence and Authority Control: Together At Last? [**] Sunday, June 26, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. The LITA Artificial Intelligence/Expert Systems Interest Group and LITA/ALCTS Authority Control in the Online Environment Interest Group present this program. In the process of exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) software might be able to improve library catalogs and to reduce technical services costs, speakers will report on both the theory and current applications of intelligent software development, especially in regard to automated authority control. The program is directed to those familiar with authority control but not necessarily with AI. Speakers include Barbara Tillett (Library of Congress); Ed O'Neill (OCLC); Susan Siegfried (Getty Art History Information Program); and Ray Larson, (University of California, Berkeley). A question and answer session will follow. Bibliographies of artificial intelligence literature and of the speakers' own writings will be distributed, as well as a survey of computer system vendors and updates on the authority-related activities of utilities. For further information about the program, contact the ACIG chair, Karen Calhoun; Internet: ksc@oclc.org. Beta Testing: The Vendor/User Partnership [**] Monday, June 27, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. What do both vendors and users need to consider when undertaking a beta testing project? The LITA Vendor/User Interest Group will continue its exploration of this topic during this program. In Los Angeles, the IG began to develop a checklist for anyone considering participating in a beta testing project. This document has the working title Beta Testing: A Checklist for Communication. In Miami, vendor representatives and user representatives will continue to develop this topic by presenting their thoughts on how successful beta testing projects can be achieved and commenting specifically on how the checklist can be used to strengthen communication among all parties. Speakers include Marjorie Freeman (LION Consortium, Virginia); Gail Wanner (Dynix); Cynthia Sherman (Data Research Associates) and a fourth speaker (not confirmed at press time). Linda Bills (Tri-College Consortium, Pennsylvania) will moderate. Following the presentations, attendees will break into smaller discussion groups to review and comment on the draft checklist. The IG planning committee expects to publish the checklist following the conference. Applications of Digital and Supercomputing Technology in the Arts and Literature [**] Monday, June 27, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. This program, cosponsored by ACRL ARTS Technology in the Arts Committee and LITA, will highlight two innovative projects using digital and supercomputing applications in art and poetry. Samantha Hastings (State Library of Florida) will present findings based on her study examining intellectual access to digital images of Caribbean art versus the use of photographs, and the implications that such access will have for libraries, researchers and other users. Examples of the Caribbean art databases she has created will be shown. Dr. Edmund Skellings (Florida Center for Electronic Communication) will discuss his work with SuperPoems, the world's first computer generated poetry. He will show video examples of his work with SuperPoems and share his insights into the possibilities of future applications of supercomputing and literature. Dr. Skellings is also the Poet Laureate for the State of Florida. Action for Access: LITA President's Program [**] Monday, June 27, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Technology allows libraries to cooperate with FreeNets and other information providers, and to extend information services to diverse, previously unserved populations. For example, adaptive technologies allow the disabled to do research without assistance. Communication technologies can extend information services to reach rural areas and underserved communities such as Native Americans. Come see a wide range of innovative services for new groups of information users. Speakers include Regina Minudri (Berkeley Public Library), Wally Babcock (NYSERNET, Project Gain), Beverly Choltco-Devlin and Curtis Chong. LITA's Adaptive Technologies Interest Group will present a demonstration of adaptive technologies devices on Saturday, June 25, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The LITA Membership Reception will follow the President's Program, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Geographic Information Systems: A New Service Opportunity for Libraries [**] Tuesday, June 28, 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Geographic information systems (GIS) make it possible to access and graphically display spatial data and image sets distributed by electronic means such as CD-ROMs. This program, sponsored by LITA's Geographic Information Systems Interest Group, the ACRL Science and Technology Section and MAGERT, will provide an overview of the present and potential role of libraries in using GIS. Speakers will describe uses of GIS in large and small libraries of different types and will identify hardware and software needed for effective service delivery. James Augur (Ontario City Library) will discuss GIS in a small public library. Ann Watts (St. Louis Public Library) will deal with GIS services and community involvement. William Johnson (University of Maryland) will describe GIS in middle and senior high schools. Carolyn Meanley (University of Houston) will talk about connecting with GIS users on campus. Joan Maier McKean (N.O.A.A.) will describe training and continuing education opportunities in GIS. Interest Groups & Committees Artificial Intelligence & Expert Systems Interest Group This group will meet immediately after the program "Artificial Intelligence and Authority Control: Together at Last?" on Sunday, June 26. The meeting, which will continue until 5:30 p.m., will include election of officers, discussion of a change in the group's description and planning for the 1995 Annual Conference. Authority Control in the Online Environment Interest Group (LITA/ALCTS) ACIG will also meet immediately after the program "Artificial Intelligence and Authority Control: Together at Last?" The meeting will feature elections and planning for upcoming meetings. Customized Applications for Library Microcomputers Interest Group (CALM) CALM's agenda will include selection of officers and a report on progress on the IG's Applications Survey. Time will also be provided to discuss the morning's program and to share ideas and questions concerning customized applications development. Education Committee LITA's Education Committee recently concluded a three-week discussion on technology competencies in library education via its listserv, litaedu@cms.cc.wayne.edu. More than 200 people in at least seven countries made this discussion lively, and underscored the timeliness of the topic. The Education Committee plans to analyze, summarize and/or distribute the archives of this discussion (over 260K or 120 printed pages) at the Annual Conference. Distributed Systems & Networks Interest Group Distributed Systems & Networks will discuss two topics, identified at the Midwinter meeting as those of greatest interest: *Networked visual images *Community-Wide Information Systems The group plans to have resource people with experience in these areas contribute to the open discussion. During Midwinter 1994, the group discussed online catalogs as gateways to the Internet and access to electronic current awareness/table of contents services. Issues discussed included structuring access (hardware, software. connectivity, menus), demand on equipment and preserving priority use for catalog access, dedicating terminals to different purposes and the respective roles of the computer center and the library regarding access to the Internet. Issues relating specifically to current awareness services included pros and cons of free Internet access vs. paid subscription options, direct patron entry of FirstSearch electronic interlibrary loan requests, scope and coverage of the several available services and educating patrons on the choices most appropriate to their needs, and the forthcoming ContentsAlert option to send tables of contents directly to E-mail addresses. Electronic Mail & Electronic Bulletin Boards Interest Group Marc Andreessen, the developer of the popular navigation tool Mosaic, will speak at this group's meeting during ALA Annual, Saturday morning, 9:30 a.m.-noon). Mosaic offers an exciting way to organize and access a variety of network services and resources. As the developer of Mosaic, Andreessen has some important insights into organizing electronic resources and accessing them. Andreessen will also share his thoughts about the development of future network navigation tools as well as the continued commercialization of the network. A couple of information professionals will discuss general capabilities of Mosaic as well as the practical applications currently made of Mosaic. Support for Marc Andreessen to attend this discussion is provided by Information Age Consultants of Cleveland, OH. and Innovative Interfaces. Emerging Technologies Interest Group Emerging Technologies will discuss the Global Change Data and Information System (GCDIS), which is being organized by participating agencies of the federal government. The GCDIS is the framework to make available global change data and information to researchers, academicians, educators, librarians, policymakers and the international community. GCDIS takes full advantage of the mission resources and responsibilities of each agency and links the services of these research data and information resources to each other and to the users. Several librarians involved in this effort will discuss some of the current pilot projects. Human/Machine Interface Interest Group This group will discuss "The Wired User: Designing Interfaces for Unassisted Access" during its meeting at ALA Annual. Genevieve Engel will be the new Vice Chair/Chair-elect after Miami. Microcomputer Users Interest Group In this meeting, attendees will be exposed to PC-based Gopher Server and Client software demonstration and discussion. Design and implementation, hardware requirements and troubleshooting will be included and addressed. Smaller or special libraries can afford Gopher servers at extremely affordable prices and mount them on relatively old equipment. PC users will learn ftp sites for Gopher client software. The group will also discuss possible topics for the 1995 Annual Conference. Please come and share your ideas. Programmer Analyst Interest Group This group will meet in Miami at its usual time of 8:30 a.m. to noon on Monday morning. The topic for the meeting will be EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) and its effect on libraries. Speakers will provide a tutorial and overview on EDI, discuss the current status of EDI and library related EDI activities and discuss what impact EDI might have on libraries in coming years. The group will also be electing a new Vice Chair/Chair-elect. Telecommunications Interest Group This group will hold a short business meeting on Saturday, June 25, following the program "Taking the Network Plunge: Remote Library Users and Electronic Networks." The location of the meeting will be announced at the beginning of that program. LITA Booth Volunteers Needed If you think you might have an hour or two of free time during the ALA Annual Conference, if you are looking for a way to talk informally with others who are interested in LITA and if you want to let others know what a great organization LITA is, volunteer to work at the LITA Booth during the ALA Summer Conference. If you would like to help at the LITA Booth in Miami, contact Jay Starratt, Library Affairs, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901; (618) 453-2681; fax (618) 453-3440; Internet: starratt@siucvmb.siu.edu Dine with LITA Do you have a feeling of deja vu when you come to ALA? Do you find yourself seeing the same faces at lunch and dinner year after year? Why not try something different this year? Try dining with other LITA members: meet new people, make new friends. Once again this year, LITA has made arrangements for three meals (two lunches and one dinner) at restaurants conveniently located near the Miami Beach convention center. Lunches will be Saturday and Sunday; dinner will be Monday night. Membership in LITA is not required, only an interest in automation and in talking with other folks with similar interests. So come join us in Miami Beach. Contact Jane Sessa, SEC Library, 450 5th Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549; (703) 979-5373; Internet: jsessa@capcon.net, by Friday, June 18. Please include your name, address, phone number and E-mail address and specify which day you would prefer: Saturday, June 25 (lunch), Sunday, June 26 (lunch), or Monday, June 27 (dinner).