Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!think.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!uunet!tymix!tardis!oliveb!bunker!hcap!hnews!109!432!Diana.Dawne
From: Diana.Dawne@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Diana Dawne)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Nls database
Message-ID: <15920@handicap.news>
Date: 30 May 91 20:38:34 GMT
Sender: wtm@bunker.isc-br.com
Reply-To: Diana.Dawne@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:109/432 - The Idea Link, Wheaton MD
Lines: 62
Approved: wtm@bunker.hcap.fidonet.org

Index Number: 15920

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

For some time we have been discussing the NLS database.  to briefly
recap, NLS hat a database that is accessable using your PC.  It is
possible using this database to do special searches by topic, book,
catagory, or author.  It is also possible to order books using this
database.  The problem is that most of us can't use the database because
nls has comtracted with a company BRS to make this available through
their computer service.The difficulty is that there is a $75 sign up
fee, a $12 a month charge whether you use the system or not, and a $25
an hour charge to use the database Now it's my understanding that anyone
can go to the public library and access their database free of charge.
If they feel intidimated by the computer, all they need do is go to the
library staff and ask for assistance.

Tim Lawrence and I called BRS and asked about signing up for this
service.  We did not plan to actually sign up but we thought we might be
able to talk with someone who could tell us who to write to and see if
we could nnegotiate something a little more realistic.  However, we
discovered that that database is comtroled by a private company Tim
called that "Private company" and discovered that it is the NLS.  The
comtact person is a Ms. Jane Mendlebaughm.  Tim asked her to call him
and she did.  I called and asked that she call me and she finally did
return my call.

She is a pleasant person but she is very forthright about the fact that
she doesn't want to get invulved with the public using that database.
She claims that individuals do have accounts and that people from all
over the world use the database.  She insists that they do not get
royalities from users and she believes that in the next one to three
years, patrons will be able to purchase CD's of the database for about
$50

After talking to her, I again called BRS and tried to sign up.  This
time, I intended to go through with it but I was told that although
individuals could sign up, they had to be approved by the private
company and I had not been approved.  I was again reassured that the
private company gets a royalty of over 75 per cent for the first 50
hours the database is used and 90 per cent thereafter.

When I talked with Ms. Mendlebaughm, she said she knew something about
blink talk.  I suggested that she or someone from NLS come on the
comference and offer to answer questions.  She very emphatically said no
one would do that.  However if anyone wants to call them, they will be
happy to return the phone calls, and spend just as much long distance
time as necessary explaining to each of us individually how the system
works.  She did ask me to explain that she would not be available for
the next three weeks as she will be on vacation and when I asked
herwhere she told me in Europe.  BRS has recently changed hands, and
they plan to change to another company.

I am a little comfused about what to do.  NLS is saying one thing, BRS
is saying something else.  Comsidering that library service is supossed
to be free, and also that the government isn't supposed to profit from
its products, it seems something isn't quite right about this situation.
 What do you all think and what do you think we should do next?

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!109!432!Diana.Dawne
Internet: Diana.Dawne@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org