University
Libraries' services have been automated since the end of the 1980s.
Now, multiple systems operate all library functions in the Libraries.
In 1992,
the InfoLinks system began with
dumb terminals wired around the libaries, including circulation, cataloging,
acquisitions, serials, and reference (search) functions. At the end
of the 1990s, along with the PC workstations used in the libraries,
a Windows NT based local area network
was installed in the libraries, and gradually replaced those wired
dumb terminals which were completely removed by 2003. Online database
searching for reference services began in the mid-1980s with modem
dial-in connections, as well as some CDROM based databases accessible
from stand-alone PC workstations. Those CDROM databases were mostly
replaced by Internet remote access in the mid-1990s. Now, hundreds
of Web based databases are used in the Libraries through library
Web server using a Proxy server for external authentication. InterLibrary
Loan and document delivery systems (ILLIAD)
project started in 2002, gradually replacing CLIO/Prospero InterLibrary
Loan system used over four years. ILLIAD has been available for public
since summer of 2003. The Ariel
system is used for document delivery and linked with ILLIAD. In 2002,
the Digital Collections Project
(based on OCLC's
ContentDM system) began. The Digital
collections Web site was opened to the public in the summer of
2003.
Currently,
the University Libraries use the Integrated Library Management System
InfoLinks (INNOPAC Millennium
Silver version), Local Area Networks
(four active Windows 2000/2003 servers, plus Altiris
server for workstations maintenance and inventory control), Internet/WWW
based Wide Area Networks (three active IIS servers) for Library
Web Systems including hundreds of remote accessible electronic
databases, ILLIAD
InterLibrary Loan system, and Digital
Collections Systems, as well as StaffWeb
information. All library staff have computer workstations to process
daily library work and serve the faculty, staff, and students of the
University of Arkansas, as well as the public community residents.
As of July 2005, approximately 281 networked active workstations (100
as public access workstations) with 183 printers (7 laser printers
as public networked access printers) are connected through 7 local
servers (1 UNIX based, 5 Windows 2000/2003 servers) in the libraries.
All public access workstations are secured by CybraryN security control
software through network.
InfoLinks
(INNOPAC Millennium)
InfoLinks
is an integrated library management system, which is the product
of Innovative Interfaces, Inc.
This system manages major library functions such as acquisitions,
cataloging, circulation, serials control, bindery and WebOPAC with
all of the libraries' collections included, and a proxy server for
authentication remote access to electronic resources. Now, Innopac
Millennium Silver 2004 is the current system.
Local
Area Network (LAN) in the Libraries
A
Windows 2000/2003 Servers-based Local Area Network (LAN) is linked
to and controls all library public workstations (100 PCs, Windows
XP based) and staff workstations (181 PCs, Windows XP based) for
library services.
Wide
Area Network (WAN) in the Libraries
Both
wired and wireless Internet connections, with Internet Information
Web Servers (Windows 2000/2003 Severs based with IIs as web server)
are setup in the libraries for World Wide Web and Internet access.
Digital
Collections System
A
Digital Collections System (based on OCLC's ContentDM)
is used in the libraries for patrons using digitized connections.
InterLibrary
Loan System (ILLIAD) and Ariel
ILLIAD,
an OCLC InterLibrary loan and document delivery system is used
in the libraries for interlibrary loan services. Ariel
is used for documents delivery.
Altiris
- Networked Workstations Management System
A
workstations management system (Altiris)
is used in the libraries to maintain and manage inventory and troubleshoot
workstation problems in the local area network.
