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From: Lloyd.Rasmussen@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Lloyd Rasmussen)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Blnd database
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Date: 6 May 91 16:22:19 GMT
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[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

As someone who works for NLS, but not in the automation area, I think
I should clarify one thing.  Someone said that the BLND database can't
be made available because it contains confidential information.
That's not the case.
    The BLND database, updated and release by NLS, and distributed by
BRS, is the database of NLS materials, and also contains many
cataloging records for books from other libraries, including part of
RFB's catalog.  It is the one which might eventually be put on CD-ROM.
    Most of the regional libraries have some kind of automated
circulation system, either READS, DRA, or another one.  These systems
have a lot of book information in them, but their primary purpose is
to help libraries send out the books individual patrons order, keep
track of what a person has already received, help with sending books
by user profiles, check books in and out, maintain address lists, etc.
This database is different for each regional library, and of course is
loaded with confidential information.  Some libraries have talked
about ways to make parts of this material accessible in some way, but
I'm not aware of any that have been able to do so.
    Interested persons might want to get the flavor of this stuff by
contacting their local public or state libraries.  Here in Montgomery
County, Maryland, the county library's catalog and holding status are
on line on a public phone number which so far is free.  The system is
also connected into the CARL system from Colorado, which includes an
interesting system t  get abstracts from many magazines for the past
year or so.
    I hope we will be able to do something better for bibliographic
access, because it will help to spread the usage out, taking some of
the pressure off new books and making better use of the existing
collections.  Then I suppose we'll discover that there aren't enough
copies of the old stuff to go around.

    Wait.  Wait. Wait.  Your book's not in yet.
    We'll try to have it next year without fail.
    We are not your corner store, we cannot do anymore,
    After all, you know, just one percent read braille.

    (NFB library song, which Mr. Cylke really gets a kick out of;
when he teaches a university course on federal libraries, he plays it
for the class to show that this is one library program that is
important enough to write protest songs about.)

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