New Jersey State Library

The mission of the New Jersey State Library is to lead in the provision, promotion and support of excellent library and information services to state government and to all the people of New Jersey. The mission is accomplished through:

1. a law library and legislative reference service;
2. a general reference and interlibrary loan service;
3. a documents depository service;
4. an advisory service to all types of libraries;
5. coordination of a statewide system of libraries;
6. administration of state and federal grant and aid programs; and
7. a program of direct public services to blind and handicapped residents.

The State Library maintains two operating libraries -- the State Library itself and the Library for the Blind and Handicapped. Through its Library Development Bureau, extensive consulting services and financial assistance are provided for libraries and the statewide library network. The State Library also administers branch libraries which provide information services to the Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Transportation and the Department of Banking and Insurance.

There are four bureaus within the State Library that provide and/or support the provision of technology-based library services.

• The State Government Information Services Bureau (SGIS) is responsible for providing information to state government researchers, students and faculty of Thomas Edison State College and the citizens of New Jersey.
• The Library Development Bureau (LDB) provides consultant services and technical assistance to create, improve and strengthen library/information and literacy services throughout the state.
• The New Jersey Library for the Blind and Handicapped (LBH) provides a range of services to New Jersey residents who can not read conventional printed material due to visual, physical or neurological handicaps. The Audiovision Radio Reading Service broadcasts readings of daily local newspapers on the air and provides special interest programs to New Jersey residents who qualify for LBH services.
• Information Technology (IT) encompasses the technical staff that supports all aspects of technology internal and external to the State Library. The unit provides support services for the State Library's websites, Statewide Electronic Interlibrary Loan System and the HUB Library Network.

In response to the impact of recent technological innovations in information delivery, the State Library convened a Technology Committee composed of members from the following units: State Government Information Services, Library Development, Information Technology (IT) and the Library for the Blind and Handicapped. This committee was given the charge to prepare a three year Technology Plan with implementation steps which would expand the State Library's use of electronic and digital information technology. A draft of the plan was reviewed by a wide variety of State Library staff members. The plan was then reviewed and approved by the State Librarian.

The Technology Committee will review the plan yearly in order to keep pace with technology and technology-based library services which are changing dramatically. The committee will update the plan as necessary during the three year cycle.

The Technology Plan 1999 - 2001 supports the State Library's mission with specific goals and action plans that will:

1. provide the library's public with convenient access to a wide range of new and emerging information and telecommunications technologies and with assistance and training to use these services;
2. provide State Library staff with the training needed to implement new technology based library services and to assist the public in using these services; and
3. provide leadership in the development of statewide library information and telecommunications.

Technology Assumptions

Operational Library

• The State Library will provide value-added products and services which direct patrons to excellent electronic information.
• Technology-based library services provided by the State Library will be based on patron needs and input.
• Technology which supports library services is rapidly changing and the State Library will respond appropriately in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• The State Library will continuously evaluate evolving and new technologies and new applications of existing technologies for possible use in the library.
• Technological changes have increased customer expectations of and demand for free, convenient and timely information services.
• The State Library will meet increasing customer demands for remote access to information.
• State Library staff will continue to serve as an important link between patrons and electronic information resources.
• State Library staff will be prepared to assist and train the public who will be functioning at a variety of levels of competence.
• A commitment of time, energy and money for ongoing staff training and professional development. is important to the successful integration and use of information technologies.
• State Library staff will be supported by up-to-date technology that ensures the provision of quality services that are efficient and cost effective.
• The State Library will have realistic expectations of the life span of equipment and software and secure adequate funding for replacement and upgrades.

Statewide Library Services

• All libraries will benefit from the State Library's Libraries 2000 technology plan implementation program.
• All implementation plans will, whenever practical, build on existing strengths.
• Local, state (including network) and federal funds will be used to implement the plan.
• The State Library and the Regional Library Cooperatives will work together to ensure a cohesive statewide approach.

Goals Statement

Operational Library

The following goals will assist the State Library in identifying and integrating new technology into its services in a timely and thorough manner:

• Expand access to digital and electronic information for state government employees, New Jersey citizens and New Jersey libraries.
• Empower handicapped persons to customize library services to meet their needs through the use of expanded technology-based library services.
• Develop training opportunities for staff and public in the use of new technologies.
• Enhance the SGIS web pages for CyberDesk to provide an increased range of digital resources and full-text documents to remote users throughout the state.
• Enhance the LDB/LBH web pages to increase library and patron access to up-to-date information about services and programs provided by the Library Development Bureau and Library for the Blind and Handicapped.
• Expand and improve computer hardware used throughout the State Library and the Library for the Blind and Handicapped.
• Expand and improve data and telecommunications connectivity throughout the State Library and the Library for the Blind and Handicapped.
• Upgrade data cabling within the State Library buildings to increase the speed of data delivery.
• Continue to automate library procedures in order to promote efficiency and enhance staff and customer services.

The vision statement contained in the State Library's statewide technology plan, Libraries 2000, is as follows:

All citizens of New Jersey participate fully and share equitably in the benefits of the information revolution.

This vision statement is being accomplished through the following goals:

• All libraries are linked electronically.
• All libraries have the equipment to implement Libraries 2000.
• All libraries have Internet, World Wide Web access.
• All libraries have access to an online bibliographic database and an interlibrary loan subsystem.
• All libraries have access to full-text periodical articles and information in electronic formats.
• All library staff have the expertise and skills to implement Libraries 2000.
• All citizens of New Jersey are aware of the role of libraries in providing access to information.
• All citizens have access to traditional library services, according to their needs.
• Sufficient funding is available to implement Libraries 2000.

The State Library's technology plan for public library development and statewide services is contained in the following planning documents:

• Libraries 2000: New Jersey's Technology Plan for Libraries in the 21st Century



• New Jersey Library Services and Technology Act: LSTA Five Year Plan: October 1, 1997 - September 30, 2002

• the library's catalog
• journal indexes, full-text databases, online periodicals in full-text, and legal, business and health databases
• links to hundreds of websites selected by reference staff for their quality and relevancy to State Library major areas of service
• many NJ state government publications in full-text
• send requests for information to State Library reference staff via e-mail
• place requests electronically to borrow books or obtain photocopies of articles held by the library or other libraries throughout the country
• retrieve lists of new books and new New Jersey state government publications

Periodical articles or copies of relevant portions of books are delivered electronically to patrons thereby greatly reducing the time it takes to receive the requested items. Items are sent by e-mail, telefax or scanned and transmitted electronically to a computer using Ariel software.

Interlibrary loan requests from patrons are processed and transmitted online using the OCLC online union catalog database and its interlibrary loan subsystem. The Access Center, a statewide service funded by New Jersey Library Network Aid, locates materials and borrows them online for New Jersey public, academic, school and special libraries using the OCLC online national union catalog database and interlibrary loan (ILL) subsystem. Three 800 toll free lines provide service for incoming and outgoing calls.

Orders for books are sent electronically to book dealers; or orders are placed for materials via the web from online dealers.

State Library holdings for new materials and original cataloging for unique New Jersey publications are input into the OCLC online union catalog database which is accessed statewide by over 120 New Jersey public, academic, special and school libraries.

Library Development Bureau (LDB)

The New Jersey Union List of Serials (NJULS) database contains information on 31,000 periodical and serial titles owned by 625 New Jersey libraries. Through the list, library patrons and staff have access to 194,000 local holdings records for direct forwarding of ILL photocopy requests. LDB funds a contract with the Atlantic County Library to provide online access to the NJULS database for all libraries and citizens in New Jersey via the Internet and dial-in access.

The HUB Library Network is composed of 15 libraries (public and academic libraries and library computer consortia) which blanket the state and provide all public libraries, who are within their designated geographical areas, with rapid, free Internet access, technical assistance and training. Two hundred and sixty public libraries currently receive their Internet services through a Hub Library. The State Library serves as a Hub Library for libraries in Mercer and Hunterdon counties. The network is administered by the Library Development Bureau.

The LDB/LBH web pages provides remote users with access to the following types of information:

• LDB consultant services to assist libraries with such programs as: applying for the E-Rate discount, developing technology plans, seeking grant funding, writing grant proposals, serving multilingual communities, providing interlibrary loan services, etc.
• up-to-date information on State Library funded projects and programs, e.g.; Hub Library Network, Statewide Electronic Interlibrary Loan System, etc.
• services and programs offered by the Library for the Blind and Handicapped
• announcements of grant awards and descriptions of funded projects
• full-text State Library publications and update reports
• access to the New Jersey Union List of Serials
• comprehensive links to New Jersey academic and public libraries' websites and online catalogs
• calendars for conferences

LDB administers grant programs utilizing state, federal and private funding to assist public and academic libraries and library computer consortia to purchase state-of-the-art computer equipment and to implement technology-based library services. These grants have included the following types of programs: startup Internet access grants for public and high school libraries; expanding Internet access through existing county and academic libraries and library computer consortia connections; implementing integrated online library systems for public and community college libraries; retrospective conversion of collections to machine-readable records; computer training centers for public libraries; development of online community information files; database access for academic libraries; and grants for Z39.50 and WebPac technologies.

Using the SAS statistical analysis program, libraries electronically file annual reports on input and output measures which are used to determine their eligibility for the Per Capita Aid program and the amount of money that will be awarded. Using this data, the State Library annually publishes New Jersey Public Library Statistics and Analyses of New Jersey Public Library Statistics.

Library for the Blind and Handicapped (LBH)

The LBH automation system is used to select and circulate books to library patrons who are blind, visually impaired or handicapped. This system selects appropriate books based on a patron's expressed interests while excluding those books that the patron has already read. The software was developed by Automated System Research & Development (ASR&D) under contract with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (CLBPH), the Free Library of Philadelphia, Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (PLBPH) and the New Jersey State Library for the Blind and Handicapped (NJLBH).

LBH utilizes specialized screen enlargement and/or text-to-speech software to facilitate access for walk-in patrons to the library's online public access catalog (OPAC) and to search the World Wide Web.

The Audiovision Radio Reading Service digitally records spoken readings of newspapers at the library each day and supplements these recordings with additional spoken recordings downloaded from satellites. These recordings are then broadcast via a Subsidiary Audio Program (SAP) channel by public television stations in New Jersey to receivers in Central and Southern New Jersey.

Information Technology (IT)

Information Technology (IT) encompasses the technical staff that support all aspects of technology internal and external to the State Library. The unit is comprised of staff with PC, minicomputer and telecommunications expertise who maintain all data communication hardware for patron and staff use.

The specific focus of IT activity relates to the local and wide area networks (LAN / WAN) to facilitate SGIS, LDB and LBH programs and services.

The unit provides support services for the State Library's website, Statewide Electronic Interlibrary Loan System and the HUB Library Network. Additionally, the IT unit provides consulting and support for public libraries.

The unit supports an Intranet site which provides staff with: answers to frequently asked questions about problems with hardware and software; links to online training for searching the Internet, links to databases of interest to the staff; and online forms. The unit also facilitates an internal NJSL User Group which meets quarterly during staff lunch hours to disseminate and share technological information.

State Government Information Services (SGIS)

The CyberDesk web pages are maintained by a staff member using Webber software and HTML programming with content and links provided by the SGIS reference staff.

The New Jersey Documents Librarian is involved in a pilot project to digitize New Jersey state documents and records of historic importance.

Staff Technological Expertise

Library Development Bureau (LDB)

The LDB/LBH web pages are maintained by a staff member using Webber software and HTML programming with content and links provided by the Library Development and the Library for the Blind and Handicapped staff.

A staff member is responsible for the implementation and administration of the Statewide Electronic Interlibrary Loan System. Each library coming on to the system is profiled for the Ameritech Resource Sharing System (RSS); that profile is set up on the appropriate server; and workstation software is installed on site for ILL personnel to connect to that server at the State Library.

Library for the Blind and Handicapped (LBH)

A staff member is trained in the maintenance of the automated system and is responsible for recommending and implementing upgrades to the system.

A Program Engineer/Technician is trained in the maintenance of Audiovision equipment and is responsible for recommending and implementing upgrades to the audio equipment.

Information Technology (IT)

The unit is comprised of technical staff with PC, minicomputer and telecommunications expertise who maintain Internet access and all data communication hardware for patron and staff use. A staff member is responsible for maintaining the DYNIX integrated online library system.

Technology and the Customer Committee

This committee, composed of SGIS, LDB and IT staff, has accomplished the following:

• raised the consciousness among State Library staff about the importance of customers, user-friendly technology and customer outreach concerning technology;
• designed and refined the web based patron access catalog search screens and help screen system; and
• promoted the CyberDesk web pages and all State Library services, to State government employees, Thomas Edison staff, the Legislature and New Jersey public libraries.

Staff and Patron Training to Make Effective Use of Technology-Based Library Services

Staff Training

Staff in the State Government Information Services and the Library Development Bureaus have been trained on Windows 95, Internet searching, e-mail, word processing, searching the Dynix OPAC databases and the EbscoHost citation and full-text periodical database. Various staff utilize other business application software: Access, Excel, Power Point, Microsoft Publisher, Webber, Lotus 1-2-3, etc.

In-house staff training in Windows 95, provided by Thomas Edison State College, was sponsored by the Technology and the Customer committee; and Microsoft Outlook E-mail training was provided by the chair of the committee.

Staff attend programs on various software applications which are provided by the Central Jersey Regional Library Cooperative computer training center. Desk copies of books are purchased to assist staff to learn software applications.

Staff attend programs on technology and technology-based library services sponsored by the Rutgers University School of Communication, Information and Library Studies, PALINET, Regional Library Cooperatives and the New Jersey Library Association.

Reference staff receive training in searching specialized databases such as DIALOG, LEXIS/NEXIS, etc.

The Library Development Bureau regularly sends staff to the Computers in Libraries Conference and the National Online Meeting Conference. Staff have attended conferences and workshops on the Internet, local area networks, telecommunications, digitization of library collections, electronic resource sharing, metadata, development of websites, development of intranets, etc.

The Information Technology unit has attended training in the following areas: Novell system and workstation administration, Microsoft NT 4.0 system and workstation, Microsoft 95 workstation, Microsoft Exchange E-mail Server, Ameritech's Dynix system administration, Ameritech's WEBpac web proxy server, Cisco router operations, etc.

Library for Blind and Handicapped staff utilizes in-house training for both the library automation system and the use of assistive technology. LBH is migrating from Apple PCs to using PCs operating Windows 95 and the Office 97 Suite. Staff will receive training in Fall 1999.

Patron Training

At the State Library patrons are provided training on demand to use the OPAC, CD-ROM databases and the EbscoHost citation and full-text periodical databases.

A Help Desk for Electronic Resources provides technical assistance and training regarding web and database use to onsite patrons and persons calling in for assistance. A staff member provides the public with hands-on training classes at lunchtime and other scheduled times on how to use the Internet.

Legislators and their staff receive training at their offices in the use of online databases linked to the CyberDesk web pages. Training is provided on demand by a PC specialist.

Library Development staff provide consulting to staff at all types of libraries on automation issues, Internet access, implementing integrated online library systems, applying for the E-Rate discount and preparing technology plans.

LDB staff provides training on using the Statewide Electronic Interlibrary Loan System. Staff also conduct a 4 day workshop on training librarians to use technology to provide patron and staff training.

Technical assistance sessions for potential applicants are provided for each technology grant program offered by the Bureau. An LDB grant preparation manual and links to sites to grant information are provided on the LDB/LBH web pages.

At the Library for the Blind and Handicapped, walk-in patrons receive one-on-one training from library staff. LBH hosts an annual Spring Fair at which vendors selling assistive devices introduce patrons to what is available and to new technological enhancements.

Information Technology staff provide technical assistance to Hub Libraries and their related downstream libraries for PC and local and wide area network (LAN / WAN) telecommunications issues.

Equipment and Services Currently Available to Provide Technology-Based Library Services

State Library

Workstations on Local Area Network (LAN)
The State Library has 8 Hewlett-Packard Vectra workstations for the public and 54 Pentium PC workstations used by staff. All terminals are presently connected to the local area network (LAN) which encompasses a variety of file servers.

Ten Bay Network 450 Switches are used for LAN connectivity. Two of the 10 are 12 port devices and 8 of the 10 are 24 port devices. Each Switch is capable of virtual local area network (VLAN) technology.

Workstations Specifications

41 H/P Vectra PCs

Pentiums with Pentium, Pentium II, and Pentium Pro processors. The Pentiums contain 32 MB of RAM, 1-2 GB Hard Drives. The Pentium IIs contain between 32 and 64 MB of RAM, 2-4 GB Hard Drives.

14 Dell OptiPlex GM5100 PCs

Pentium processors

11 AST Bravo MS5100 PCs

Pentium processors

1 Gateway PC

Pentium processor

All PCs run Windows 95 with the exception of those used by the Information Technology staff, which run NT 4.0 and Windows 98. All PCs run Netscape Navigator for public and staff Internet access and Norton's Anti-Virus software. Public PCs run Fortress and Ikiosk for security.

Servers
File servers perform the following functions: Dynix subsystem functions, File and Print service, E-Mail, WEB, FTP, Fire Wall and DNS (Domain Names Service).

• The Dynix Server is a Unix server, running AIX 4.2.1 on an IBM RS6000, model C-10. This server houses the database containing the library's holdings and runs the Integrated Online Library System which is a package of circulation, acquisitions, serials, cataloging, and online public access catalog (OPAC) modules provided by Ameritech.
• Three Windows NT servers provide mail, file, applications and web host services to library staff and patrons. A fourth server provides firewall services. All NT servers are running Microsoft NT Server 4.0 with service pack 3 applied to the Web Service and Firewall servers.
• Two Linux servers, running Red Hat 5.2 on a Pentium workstation provides Internet Services, TCP/IP connectivity and mailing list services.
• A NetWare file server runs Net Server 4.0 with a 1000 user license.
• Nine Windows NT servers provide Interlibrary Loan client server applications.

Telecommunications Equipment
The State Library owns Cisco 2501, 2505 and 7507 routers. The 2501 router is used for remote dial-in connectivity. The 2505 router is used by computers at the Library for the Blind and Handicapped to get to the Frame Relay WAN and subsequently to the Internet. The 7507 router is used for Internet connectivity and for WAN connectivity for departmental branch libraries and for State Library HUB downstream libraries. This router uses 56KB, T1, Point to Point T1 and T1 SMDS for WAN connectivity. The State Library also leases a 1602 router from OCLC, Inc. to support dedicated 56K connectivity for 15 workstations using the OCLC cataloging and interlibrary loan subsystems.

A dial-in modem pool is maintained for patrons who do not have Internet connectivity to remotely access the library's catalog. The modem pool is comprised of 16 56Kbps Multitech modems.

The State Library and the Library for the Blind and Handicapped use a Centrex telephone system.

Other Equipment
Technical Services, Interlibrary Loan and the Access Center use 15 PCs connected to the OCLC online union library catalog to process books and interlibrary loan requests.

Three laptop computers are used for: telecommunications/data packet analysis (Toshiba 486); presentations and educational demonstrations at offsite events (Dell Pentium); and LAN / WAN trouble shooting and telecommuting purposes (WinBook Pentium II).

Printers: 6 H/P LaserJet printers; 29 H/P DeskJet printers; and 1 H/P 755 Color 36" Roll Plotter.

NT 4.0 Servers / PCs are used for scanning, imaging and microfiche purposes.

Library for the Blind and Handicapped (LBH)

A Digital VAX 4105 minicomputer running ASR&D specialized library-for-the-blind software for online catalog, book selection and circulation functions, is accessed by:

• 18 digital text-based terminals used by staff; and
• 2 Gateway PCs with screen enlargement and text-to-speech capability which are available for walk-in patrons to have access to the online catalog.

A digital audio recording local area network (LAN) for the Audiovision Radio Reading Service includes:

• 4 PCs for digital audio recording utilizing 13 digital signal processing (DSP) boards and 5 network interface cards (NIC);
• A Pentium PC file server with 5 user NetWare license and duplexed 4.0 GB SCSI hard drives;
• 2 satellite systems;
• Studio Transmitter Link (STL) from the LBH studios to the New Jersey Network transmitter;
• 1,200 UHF Subsidiary Audio Program (SAP) audio receivers; and
• test equipment for UHF receivers, audio recording and broadcast equipment.

Cabling and Electrical Support for Technology-Based Library Services

State Library

The Library is cabled with 211 IBM type 3 STP cable runs and 44 certified Category 4 and 5 UTP cable runs. Levels one and four have been upgraded to 5 UPT cabling. Each of the 5 floors of the library connect to one of five 62.5/124 micron fiber optic cables which home run to the computer room.

The building's electrical service is adequate to meet current needs; a power conditioner protects the servers and other equipment in the computer room.

Library for the Blind and Handicapped (LBH)

The library recently replaced 18 legacy Digital DECnet cable runs with 140 Category 5 cable runs. Access to the legacy mainframe is now available via the Category 5 cable runs. The building electrical service is adequate to meet current needs; a power conditioner protects the mainframe.

Funding Available for Technology-Based Library Services

The State Library's operating budget (including costs for the Library for the Blind and Handicapped) contains $330,000 to cover: telecommunications, hardware and software maintenance (DYNIX, Cisco router, LBH automation system, Audiovision); OCLC interlibrary loan and cataloging fees, and online and CD-ROM licenses. The State Library's operating budget also provides funds for staff training and attendance at conferences and workshops.

The contract with Ameritech Library Services for its Resource Sharing System (RSS) for the Statewide Interlibrary Loan System is $360,000.

In FY 1999 the State Library received a capital appropriation of $5,000,000 in the State budget for technology upgrades which included: PC upgrades, microfilm reader printers, scanning equipment, servers, computer training room and an upgrade for the LBH automated system.

The FY 2000 budget requests $550,000 for the State Library and $329,000 for the Library for the Blind and Handicapped in a capital appropriation for technology.