CDROM networking in an academic library — two case studies: trial, tribulation and success at the University of Pretoria
| Pages | 371-376 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb045391 |
| Date | 01 April 1995 |
| Published date | 01 April 1995 |
| Author | Annemarie Geldenhuys |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Article
CDROM networking
in
an academic
library
— two
case
studies:
trial,
tribulation and success at the
University of Pretoria
Annemarie Geldenhuys
Academic
Information
Service,
University
of
Pretoria, Pretoria,
0002 South
Africa
E-mail:
geldenh@acinfo.up.ac.za
Abstract: The existing campus-wide network of an academic institution
provides the ideal opportunity to install a CDROM local area network (LAN).
The idea is to provide the best possible access to end-users without having to
extend the computer infrastructure in the library.
A mixture of a literature
survey,
practical experimentation and compatibility with
the existing network were the criteria used for choosing Meridian's CDROM
system,
CDNet,
at the University of Pretoria. CDNet allows the CDNet and
CDROM software to be placed on either individual workstations or on a
server.
Motivated by the pressure to stay
competitive,
the decision was made to
implement a Novell 4 instead of a Novell
3.11
server.
This decision proved to
create various unforeseen problems during the implementation process. End-user
problems that were encountered during implementation included the
following:
computer illiteracy; cooperation between network administrators; differentiating
workstation configurations; volume of
users;
slow network speed encountered by
off-campus users; and a suitable use-statistics programme had to
be
developed.
Selecting suitable databases to include in our system required thorough
evaluation of current products available. The final decision was based upon the
identified need to make interdisciplinary data
available.
The
requirement was
thus to make a certain product or service available to as many users as possible.
The
advantages in having a CDROM LAN are
twofold,
relating to library staff
and end-users.
The
most important advantages include ease of use, convenience
and time-saving. CDROM networking also includes certain disadvantages that
may include the
following:
network
inadequacy;
problematic software
installation; LAN downtime; connection difficulties; fluctuating network
performance; and lack of user
education.
There is no doubt that a CDROM LAN
is worthwhile and that the advantages by far outweigh the disadvantages.
Accessibility is the
key.
It
is
however important to keep in mind that a
CDROM
LAN is just one of
the
services which are offered by an information
service.
In the
final
analysis,
any information service must strive to provide seamless and
invisible access to information regardless of the physical location or
format.
1.
Background
In 1993 the Academic Information
Service at the University of Pretoria
was granted extra funds to update its
computer technology.
The existing campus-wide network
of an academic institution provided
the ideal opportunity to install a
CDROM LAN. The idea was to pro-
vide the 'best possible access' to end-
users without having to extend the
computer infrastructure in the library.
• User demand was increasing.
Providing users with access to
the CDROM collection was
becoming more difficult.
• Library staff wanted to use the
interdisciplinary CDROMs
without leaving their service unit.
• Not enough CDROM standalone
workstations were available to
satisfy demand.
• There was an existing University
of Pretoria local and wide area
network.
• The CDROM network would
free the information consultants
to concentrate on other tasks by
allowing end-users to do their
own searching.
• End-users would be able to use
the CDROM network without
the Academic Information
Service having to provide extra
workstations in the library.
2.
Requirements for a CDROM
network
Our goal was to provide a CDROM
networking system that makes the
CDROMs available to any user on the
university network in a transparent
manner, without requiring special con-
figuration or having special require-
ments on the workstation. None of the
products we tested could meet all our
requirements.
• We wanted a reputable,
financially sound local vendor
The Electronic Library, Vol. 13, No. 4, August 1995 371
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