From Dan.Eddleman@lambada.oit.unc.edu Sat Mar 20 22:40:10 1993
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Subject: Internet access to Library of Congress information
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From: Dan Eddleman <Dan.Eddleman@lambada.oit.unc.edu>
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> Subject: (Copy) Public-Access Computer Systems News 4, no. 4 (1993)
> 
> I've only forwarded the library of congress article. If you'd
> like to see more, let me know. (I WILL save a copy this time!)
>   --Anne
>  
>  
>  ---------------------------- Text of forwarded message -----------------------
> Date:         Fri, 19 Mar 1993 12:18:06 CDT
> From:         Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <LIBPACS@UHUPVM1.BITNET>
> Subject:      Public-Access Computer Systems News 4, no. 4 (1993)
>  
> + Page 1 +
>  
>  
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
>              Public-Access Computer Systems News
>  
> INTERNET ACCESS TO LC INFORMATION FILES
>  
> The Library of Congress has announced a major new initiative
> to increase the availability of its resources to the public.
> In a statement before the House Legislative Branch
> Appropriations Subcommittee on January 25, 1993, during
> hearings on the Library's fiscal year 1994 budget request,
> Librarian of Congress James H. Billington said that the Joint
> Committee on the Library had approved online access to the
> Library's automated information files through Internet beginning
> in late April 1993.
>  
> These files, containing more than 28 million records in over 30
> files, have been available to congressional offices, state
> libraries, and cooperative cataloging libraries in the past.  The
> files to be offered by the Library include all LC MARC
> (machine-readable cataloging) files; copyright files, 1978 to the
> present; public policy citations, 1976 to the present; and
> federal bill status files.  Both the technical
> processing/cataloging system (MUMS) and the reference/retrieval
> system (SCORPIO) will be accessible for searches over the
> Internet.
>  
> The Library has experimented with various forms of remote access
> to its public files--initially in a pilot project called ROLLUP,
> and most recently in its LC DIRECT fee-based service to state
> library agencies.  Online access to Library of Congress databases
> is useful to a variety of libraries.  The Internet will provide a
> means by which access can be had at minimal cost to all.  No fees
> will be charged.
>  
> The Library of Congress is able to offer remote access to its
> public databases via Internet as a free service, but must limit
> its customer support to documentation download over the Internet.
> The Library will begin by providing system availability to 60
> simultaneous Internet users to ensure that service to Congress
> and on-site users is not degraded.  Usage will be monitored to
> determine if this number can be expanded if needed, but service
> to congressional users will continue to be the Library's primary
> goal for its online systems.
>  
> Specific details regarding when and how one can connect to the
> Library's public online files through Internet will be available
> in April.


