CONTENTS
- Next Release of the CDL -- July 1999
- History of Science and Technology @RLG is Available for Testing (Lucia Snowhill)
- CDL Milestones
- Contacts for Questions or Problems
- Information about the CDLINFO-L Listserv
1. Next Release of the CDL -- July 1999
What is a "release" of the CDL web site?In an effort to provide predictable times for major changes, target publicity efforts, and manage task and resource planning, the CDL has established "releases" of the CDL web site twice a year, in January and July. These dates were chosen so that there would be advance time for testing and revisions during periods when library staff are usually available, to coincide with breaks in the academic term, and to allow time for updating instructional and promotional materials. If these time periods prove to be problematic, please let us know and we can consider other times during the academic year.
We have received a number of questions regarding what constitutes a "release". In general, releases will introduce significant new tools and services or major enhancements to existing functions. We will continue to add content (including databases) as agreements are reached rather than waiting for release dates, although publicity efforts for releases may highlight recently added content.
Beginning with the July 1999 release, we will post plans for the release as soon as they have been determined on the web site in the libstaff System Services section (http://www.cdlib.org/libstaff/). As the Tools and Services Working Group refines the process for reviewing and prioritizing functions, we expect to post more information on tools and services under consideration or in development as suggested by advice from that working group and others.
In keeping with the goal of establishing semi-annual releases of new features and enhancements to the CDL, the second release of this year is scheduled for July 7, 1999 and will include the following:
- Collections and Services section will feature direct links to the main
search tools, including the Melvyl Catalog, CDL-hosted databases, and the
Online Archive of California's search interface.
- Search: The Search function for the Directory of Collections will add
the ability to specify an exact title for more precise retrieval. If this
search produces no results, the user will be prompted to do a keyword
search. It will also be possible to select more than one type of format limit.
- General Public Access: Directory entries for items available to the
general public will be so indicated and highlighted in a different color.
A link to a pop-up help screen will explain in more detail what types of
resources the general public may use, and why other resources are limited
to UC users.
- Go To It Now: The "Go to it now" button will actually do what it says and
bypass the interim screen and provide a direct connection to resources,
when the user's IP address indicates access eligibility.
- Directory Contents: Records for the approximately 1500 journal titles
with ASCII text in MAGS, COMP, and ABI will be available.
- Services: The Services page will be revamped to focus on function rather than the name of the service. This structure will also allow the addition of comparable services in resources other than CDL-hosted databases in the future (e.g., to describe current awareness services available in various resources beyond the CDL's own "Update" tool). A section on Interlibrary Loan services for UC and non-UC users will be added.
2. History of Science and Technology @RLG is Available for Testing (Lucia Snowhill)
We have completed most of the work on the History of Science and Technology @RLG database, and it is now available for your review on the CDL Web test database. I'd appreciate your comments by FRIDAY, MAY 7TH on any problems you find when you test this database. We hope to move it into the public version of CDL Web by early May.Please note that since the database remains in a test version, there are still changes being made.
The address for the CDL Web test site is: http://merlin.ucop.edu/meltst
History of Science and Technology @RLG is one of the database choices.
I have tried to be consistent in providing the same search options offered in the Telnet version of HSCI. The web version of this database now offers publication type limits to searches, an option not available in the Telnet version. Help screens for finding more/fewer/zero have been edited for HSCI, and the database description and general help screens have been carried over to be consistent with information in the Telnet version. The help and database description screens are accessible from the HELP button on the HSCI search screen.
I have not developed a user guide, since the Web version provides so much of the information already.
Your opinions and comments on all of the above will be very helpful. Thank you in advance.
3. CDL Milestones
CDL Milestones are now posted on the CDL informational web site4. Contacts for Questions or Problems
If you have problems accessing or using the system or have questions, including questions about the status of electronic journal collections and Internet resources, you can contact CDL staff in one of the following ways:
- For immediate assistance, call the CDL Helpline at (510) 987-0555. Callers with TDD equipment, please call 1-800-735-2929 in California for the telephone relay operator.
- Send an e-mail message to cdl@www.cdlib.org.
- Click on "News" at http://www.dbs.cdlib.org/ for information about system outages, problems with particular databases, the status of a resource, etc.
For information about whether your UC campus has access to a particular electronic journal or Internet resource, contact your local collection development officer.
5. Information about the CDLINFO-L Listserv
The CDLINFO-L Listserv is designed for UC library employees as a first step in CDL efforts to build an active communications program to inform the UC community about progress in creation of the CDL, policy issues under discussion, and newly available electronic resources.We hope that subscribers from the UC libraries will pass on selected information from the Listserv to faculty, staff, and students on their campuses, as appropriate. Other descriptive information about the CDL is available at the www.cdlib.org web site.
Eligible subscribers: UC library employees
To subscribe: Please send the following line to listserv@listserv.ucop.edu: SUBSCRIBE CDLINFO-L (your name)
Frequency of publication: Biweekly, or as new information warrants.
Communicating with the Listserv: While the CDL Listserv does not accept submissions, subscribers are encouraged to send suggestions, thoughts, and comments on material in the Listserv or on related issues to the CDL at cdl@ucop.edu.