A Vision for One Statewide Library: Summary
April 6, 1995
This initiative, funded primarily with FY95 lottery money, establishes an information infrastructure providing universal access to materials and information services for all students and faculty in the University System of Georgia (USG) regardless of geographic location, size of institution, or mode of instructional delivery. Specifically, this initiative will provide Internet access through PeachNet for all University System and seven approved Residence Center libraries. All USG PeachNet-linked libraries will have electronic access to full-text academic journal articles without duplication of costs for multiple acquisitions. Similarly, access to research journal citations will be provided electronically so that students and faculty can review these materials and initiate requests for article copies. All University System card catalogs (not currently available online) will be converted to digital format. Each USG library (not currently automated) will be computerized. Procedures and facilities which will provide universal borrowing and universal access to state census data and publications will be established.
The Steering Committee for A Vision for One Statewide Library has been actively planning the design and implementation of this initiative's goals. The current status of this implementation follows.
Funded Equipment, Services, and Support
- PeachNet connectivity for approved Residence Centers without access
- Ongoing data communications costs for seven approved Residence Centers
- Higher speed access (T1) for schools with 56Kbps data lines
- Workstations and printers to support access to databases and to the Internet
- Systemwide subscriptions to full-text databases of core academic journals, research journals, state census data, and state publications
- Digital formatting of those card catalogs not yet online
- Library computerization for those libraries not yet automated
- Fax machines and a central patron database to provide for universal borrowing
- Courier service for interlibrary loan of non-electronically available materials
Institutional Planning and Preparation
- Library furniture-tables and chairs-to support equipment
- Telephone line for fax machine
- Equipment and wiring required to connect the equipment to local network
- Wiring and installation to connect building to PeachNet
- Computer hardware and software technical support
- Ongoing library automation costs
- General supplies to support equipment use
- Data for universal borrowing patron database
