What will be the prefix (designation) for digital books?
NLS RESPONSE: The prefix will be DB.
What will be the prefix (designation) for digital talking book players?
NLS RESPONSE: DS1 and DA1 (Standard and advanced respectively)..
How long will the digital talking book player serial number be?
NLS RESPONSE: Seven digits.
Libraries would like to receive statistics from downloads: First number of readers and number of books, magazines downloaded, and Second, actual book numbers downloaded by specific patrons (for library's has-had file).
NLS RESPONSE: NLS will implement a statistical report module when the download is initiated. During this soon to be launched phase, network libraries will be provided a) the number of patrons from their service area signed up for the expanded download pilot, and b) the number of books and magazines downloaded by a library's patrons during the previous month.
The second suggestion is still under review to determine how it could be implemented as it has implications for software changes in the network circulation systems. This topic will be pursued further once the expanded pilot has been launched.
Libraries request 10 (ten) digital players per library during pre-launch test.
NLS RESPONSE: There are a limited number of players available for the pre-launch test. NLS will obtain optimum feed back if these players are distributed to the designated libraries. Two players will be distributed to all libraries at that time.
Mantech should be tasked with developing models for resource sharing in network.
NLS RESPONSE: There are three models already in use. Utah/Wyoming, MA/RI, and AL/MS. Network libraries can implement one of these models or develop a different model to fit their needs. NLS will review/discuss various models for resource sharing on a case by case basis as no one model is likely to serve every network library. Also it should be remembered that the mass production model is a temporary until the duplication-on-demand process is implemented.
How soon will NLS make changes in CMLS data base to accept information on digital players? KLAS will need to modify its software to enable libraries to track this information in KLAS.
NLS RESPONSE: As soon as the contract is re-awarded.
Because KLAS now hosts a number of libraries for patrons information, circulation and collection maintenance it would help if KLAS were on NLS-Reports so it would have first hand notice of collection activity changes announced by NLS via NLS-Reports
NLS RESPONSE: KLAS has been added to the NLS-Reports list.
KLAS has heard that READS users can ILL a book through READS, not go to PICS website and complete form. If true, KLAS would like to work toward same functionality for its users.
NLS RESPONSE: There has apparently been some mis-communication. READS currently does not enable it users to initiate an interlibrary loan from within READS.
KLAS would like to work with NLS to ensure that if a patron is searching KLAS OPAC and hits link to download a book, the system would automatically take the patron to the download without requiring another password and ID. If KLAS could download collection this could be done through KLAS
NLS RESPONSE: This is an intriguing idea, however so many issues relating to the digital transition are still in flux that NLS cannot make this a priority. It is an issue that should be revisited at a later point.
