Cupertino, CA -- June 14, 1992 -- CASPR, Inc. allows the use of Apple IIe and Apple IIgs computers as patron access stations with the announcement of LibraryBrowser for the Apple II. This software program joins the existing LibraryBrowser for Macintosh to provide multi-platform support for libraries using Apple computers. Patrons using Macintosh, Apple IIe and Apple IIgs computers can now search the library catalog over AppleTalk networks.
LibraryBrowser for the Apple IT is a client-server application providing a very friendly interface for patrons. No instructions are needed to use the program. Title, Author, Call Number, Subject and Keywords can be searched. Full Boolean operators (And, Or, and Not) can be used along with right and left hand truncation searching. Once a search is completed, a list of all items is displayed to the patron. The location information of each item is displayed along with the number of copies owned by the library, and the number on the shelf (ie, not checked out). Any specific title can be displayed in full and printed to a local or networked printer. Both Apple IT computers and Macintosh computers can search the library catalog at the same time.
According to Lee Wilson, Apple K-12 Marketing Manager, "The Apple IT computer family makes a great patron access station because they can easily be connected to a library file server from any location in the school. Any extra Apple IT computer can become a powerful tool for searching one or more libraries." The Apple IIe and Apple IIgs can easily and cheaply connect to the library through AppleTalk from anywhere in a school building or district.
"Our goal is to provide access to libraries through all standard computing platforms," said Norman Kline, CASPR's president. "We think the Apple IIe and Apple IIgs can be used to replace or complement existing library card drawers and provide faster and better searching. There are many advantages in using an Apple IT over a dumb terminal. They are easy to network. Search results can be printed to a local printer or downloaded to a disk file. The client-server architecture allows more stations to be supported. The installed base of Apple IT computers in schools ensures an inexpensive supply of patron access stations for school libraries. "
The program runs on any standard Apple IIe computer with an 80 column card and an AppleTalk Network Card. All Apple Ilgs computers are supported. Hard disks are not required.
Pricing and Availability
LibraryBrowser for the Apple IT series will be sold for $79.00 per copy, $795.00 for a school site license, and $5,995 for a district wide license. LibraryBrowser for the Apple IT will be available at the American Association of School Libraries (AASL) in October '92.
