MEMBER LIBRARY WEEKLY BULLETIN

No. 04-03                                                                                                                             January 23, 2004

This is a reminder that I will be running the Dynix upgrade on Wednesday morning (1/28/2004).  Please, do NOT log into the system that morning.  After the upgrade we will contact you when it is okay to log in.  If you are going to use PCReliance for your off-line circulation, please remember to delete the data file when prompted on the first startup.  This will prevent any old circulation data from being reloaded into Dynix after the upgrade.  For many this won't be an issue since this should be a very short upgrade. 

The group purchase of Symantec/Norton Anti-virus is almost complete and the plan for deployment is in place.  We should be able to send out the directions on how to get the upgrade and install it next week.  Once we get the final purchase confirmation we will send out the instructions and start the billing process based on your responses from the last survey that was filled out. 

We are in the final stages of deploying a new software package that will help us support your library computers.  The software will allow us take control of your computer (with your permission) by clicking on a link on our Website.  We will then be able to troubleshoot or make changes to your computer from our computer without leaving the office.  In many cases this will save a trip and should speed up the support process.  Of course this will only work if the computer can access our Website.  Once we are done with the remote control session, we will unload the software that allows this.  I am very excited about the possibilities this presents. 

Dell sent out an announcement this week that they are trying to move as many computer systems as they can.  They have a surplus of equipment from last year, and that’s a cost savings for us. 

If you are looking at buying a new computer for your library this year, this week would be a good time to order it.  The only down side to this sale by Dell, we need to have our orders in by Monday, January 26. 

If you would like a price quote on a computer, please call or email me Friday so that I can put in a request with our account rep at Dell.

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me.

ELVIS Has a New Home at the Library

Reception planned for January 29 at 3 p.m.

The Tompkins County Public Library will unveil ELVIS on January 29, 2004 at 3 p.m. ELVIS (or L-VIS), a workstation for people with low vision, is a computer that talks, a screen that you can see, and a PC which transforms the printed word.  People with little or no vision will be able to search the Internet, use Microsoft Word and search the Library catalog and online databases from the workstation.

“ELVIS will open up a world of information and resources to a population which has been denied access,” said Janet Steiner, Library Director. “Our partnership with Cornell University will provide many people with the ability to do things which most of us take for granted.”

The workstation is equipped with headphones, JAWS screen reading software, MAGIC screen magnification software, and OpenBook optical character recognition.  OpenBook converts paper documents into electronic text to be read aloud by the machine to the user.

The technology was made possible through the Cornell University Engineers Without Frontiers program, who researched, designed and purchased the hardware and software. Other partners with the library include the Finger Lakes Independence Center and the Cornell University Program of Computer Graphics. Jennifer Schlossberg, a professional librarian at the library, was instrumental in making all of the pieces fit together, obtained training for the staff, and will be conducting the demonstration.

Following the grand opening reception and demonstration, interested users may register for an  ELVIS class by calling the Adult Services Reference Desk at 607 2727 4556.

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