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About Us Organization System Hardware A separate SUN Enterprise 250 computer supporting the Java epixtech version of WebPAC supports up to 75 simultaneous users. Readers may access member library catalogs and services through LION ILS from school, home, or office through the Internet. LION also hosts email and web page services through an epixtech NetConnect system running on a SUN Ultra 10 computer. That server supports 250 simultaneous sessions and at least 600 E-mail accounts. LION can also manage member library telecommunications to these services. Many members access LION through a dedicated network of leased SNET frame relay circuits of 56kbps, 128kbps, and greater. Those libraries also receive high speed Internet access over a dedicated T-1 circuit. Some new LION members are presently supported by the Connecticut Library Network telecommunications program, and receive at least 56kb frame relay and Internet service through the Connecticut State University system. The LION System operates 24/7/365. User downtime is minimal and generally occurs only for scheduled automatic overnight database backups and preventive maintenance. The system has averaged 96.7% uptime since 1983. Emergency after-hours support is included. Peripheral devices installed at member institutions include LION terminals and PCs, barcode readers, as well as member-owned PCs and auxiliary printers. LION also supports local area networks. Services Major enhancements of LION's hardware, software and network, the most recent in 2000, have enabled LION to add members, offer many new services, and improve data security. LION library readers can place their own holds, renew checked-out materials, and review their patron record at any public access workstation at that library, or from home, school or their office through the Internet. Bibliographic Services A special cataloging feature that LION offers is an online Library of Congress (LC) Subscription Database. Since 1990 LION has loaded LC records weekly into a separate file on the LION system - currently maintaining over eight years of records on line (over two million records). This enables LION members to simply attach their holdings to existing, high quality LC MARC records. LION members find a matching bibliographic record already present about 77% of the time when they add a copy to the system. The weekly incoming LC records automatically update LC records already in the LC Subscription Database and are enhanced by LION staff for updates to the LION Bibliographic Database. This assures ongoing updates to all LC cataloging in use on the LION System, and is a major part of our continuous quality control. In addition to obtaining LC records, LION searches the OCLC database for those titles not found by members in either the LION Bibliographic or LC Subscription Databases. For this purpose, LION libraries need only create a short MARC Initial Search Record (ISR). LION members adhere to very high cataloging standards, which include AACR II Level 2, ISBD, and Library of Congress Subject Headings. The LION system also hosts or provides online access to resources outside of LION. These include EBSCOhost and locally-created databases such as community organizations, events, and local newspaper indexes.). Graphical public access is available on-site through PAC for Windows or remotely through an Internet-accessible WebPAC. LION cataloging also supports 856 tags within cataloging records, which can point directly to websites. Other Services LION's epixtech system includes the following software modules: Acquisitions, Cataloging (including OCLC and LC Subscription Database interfaces), Circulation, Community Resources (including local information and newspaper indexing), Homebound, Gateways to other systems, PAC, PAC for Windows, WebPAC, Reserve Book Room, and Serials Control. The LION system also supports numerous optional PC-based applications, including Acquisitions Electronic Interface, Kid's CAT, and ADA-compliant terminals for the visually impaired. LION offers training, participation in Customers of Dynix, Inc. (CODI) events, NELINET MARC training workshops, and other specialized events group pre-installation workshops for new epixtech modules). LION staff also provide free consultation and training in support of the LION system, e.g. local system administration, cataloging, use of peripheral devices, LION custom software and policy, etc. A full set of epixtech-produced user documentation is available online to each member institution. LION also distributes epixtech news publications, documentation of new software release features, and product announcements to its members. LION performs onsite and remote support for member-owned or LION-owned local area network hardware and software. Members may also own and maintain their own ILS peripheral devices (PCs or terminals and barcode readers) or have LION provide these along with maintenance. LION provides both Internet access and email accounts for all library staff members through its frame relay wide area network, and a dedicated server. Members may have their webpages hosted on LION's server. Barcode labels for every library patron and item are available through LION. LION maintains and controls the numbers used (in order to prevent duplicates), is responsible for administering the ordering cycle, and for assuring quality control. Resource Sharing LION also contributes its entire MARC bibliographic and holdings database to the reQuest database of the Connecticut Library Network. This catalog is produced by the Connecticut State Library. ReQuest consists of over 2,400,000 titles and 10,000,000 items belonging to over 200 libraries, including many non-automated and standalone library systems as well as most of the holdings of Connecticut's automated library networks (including CARL, epixtech, Sirsi, Geac/CLSI, and III systems). As a group, LION is the leading provider of Interlibrary Loan services in Connecticut. While comprised of only 9% of Connecticut's population, LION performs 49.7% of ALL completed interlibrary loan services in public libraries. 99% of all LION patron requests were filled (versus 94% for non-LION libraries), 69% within 8 days (versus 53% for non-LION libraries). LION also provides excellent service to others: we fill 99% of all requests (versus 71% by non-LION libraries). 3 of the top 7 "net lenders" were LION libraries. Funding LION Members In New Haven County - E. C. Scranton Memorial Library, Madison; Guilford Free Library, Guilford; James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford; Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, Stony Creek; Meriden Public Library, Meriden; Wallingford Public Library, Wallingford; Woodbridge Town Library, Woodbridge. In New London County - Ledyard Public Libraries, Ledyward;
East Lyme High School Library, Niantic; East Lyme Library, East Lyme;
Mitchell College Library, New London; Old Lyme P. G. Noyes Library, Old
Lyme; Otis Library, Norwich; Public Library of New London, New London.
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