Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!uunet!tymix!tardis!oliveb!bunker!hcap!hnews!109!432!Lloyd.Rasmussen From: Lloyd.Rasmussen@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Lloyd Rasmussen) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: Nls database Message-ID: <15946@handicap.news> Date: 4 Jun 91 02:02:05 GMT Sender: wtm@bunker.isc-br.com Reply-To: Lloyd.Rasmussen@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org Organization: FidoNet node 1:109/432 - The Idea Link, Wheaton MD Lines: 56 Approved: wtm@bunker.hcap.fidonet.org Index Number: 15946 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] Hello, everyone: I've been pretty busy and haven't had time to reply to many messages lately. I have even had to archive a great number of messages without reading them at all, except those to or from certain authors. But I think this is a good echo, no matter how big it gets, as long as the Fido network can handle the traffic. That's what I wonder about this week, as we are once again not seeing lots of stuff (it's abnormal to only have 40 new messages/day when we were running over a hundred just 10 days ago.) Let me give you a bit more information about the BLND database. I work down the hall from Jane Mandelbaum and see her fairly often. I discussed Dan Kysor's correspondence with her a few weeks ago. BLND provides bibliographic information on books in the NLS and many allied programs. You *cannot* order books on-line through this; you must deal with your regional or subregional library to order books. This is a database which is updated quarterly, not an online interactive system. I would advise people to forget calling BRS about the BLND database. According to a network bulletin sent to the network libraries last week, BRS decided not to submit a bid when the operation of BLND was put out for competitive bids. Apparently in a few months it will be available some other way through Telenet, but at prices similar to the BRS prices. The libraries don't get a discount. They are accustomed to paying astronomical charges for database access. I really doubt that any royalties from the access charges for BLND are rebated to NLS. This may be the way some of the BRS databases are run, but it is not my understanding that BLND is furnished under these conditions. Letters to Ms. Mandelbaum or Mr. Cylke wouldn't hurt, but I really don't expect progress to be any faster than what we have been talking about. NLS currently has advisory committees with consumer representation concerning collection building activities, audio equipment, and publications. None of these advisory committees really fits the "consumer access to bibliographic information" topic. Both the NFB and ACB have people who meet regularly with NLS to discuss whatever needs to be discussed. I don't know who you contact in the ACB's Library Users of America special-interest affiliate. The last I knew (and probably still), Sharon Gold, president of the NFB of California, was the chairman of the NFB Committee on Library Services. Your suggestions have a better chance of being heard when amplified by a consumer organization. As always, NLS will have exhibits at both the ACB and NFB conventions. Judy Dixon and Mr. Cylke will trade places so they can each attend about half of each convention. I think we do more information sharing and suggestion taking than displaying of the latest thing at the NLS exhibit booth, so stop by and talk to us. I'll be at the NFB convention. Hope to see some of you there. -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!109!432!Lloyd.Rasmussen Internet: Lloyd.Rasmussen@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org