A statewide initiative to upgrade the statewide library network and the automated library systems connected to it is nearing completion in West Virginia. Five public libraries which formerly were VTLS94 sites are being upgraded to VTLS98 or 99 sites, eight former VTLS94 public library sites are being combined with other sites, 58 public libraries which formerly had VTLS' micro-based systems are being added to the upgraded systems, as are six libraries which formerly were not VTLS customers.
There will be nearly 3.5 million public library bibliographic records available to the nearly 1 million patrons served by the libraries. The systems will support a total of 896 concurrent users. In addition to providing access to the resources of the libraries participating in the current initiative, the network provides access to the resources of the academic libraries of the state.
West Virginia's goal is to have all of its 178 libraries automated by the year 2000. It is within 16 libraries of reaching that goal. In addition to state funds, one of the major sources of funds for the initiative has been a $5 million grant from the Gates Center for Technology Access.
[VTLS, Inc., 1701 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060; (800) 468-8857 or (540) 557-1200; fax (540) 557- 1210; Web: www.vtls.com].
