January 2000 - The Library at Cranfield University has selected the Hyperion Digital Media Archive sub-system to add to its Unicorn Collection Management System.
The Hyperion Digital Media Archive (DMA) sub-system will be installed under the Solaris operating system on the library's Sun Enterprise 450 which currently runs the Unicorn system. Unicorn's WebCat OPAC currently provides access to the library catalogue, a rapidly growing number of electronic journals, and a range of scientific and technical electronic information resources. The addition of Hyperion will give desk top access to a unique collection of archive materials, image databases, learning materials and University documents which will support students in the online electronic learning environment being developed by the University. Cranfield University will be using the Hyperion staff client for metadata, hierarchy, text indexing (Natural Language Processing based retrieval of Acrobat & text documents) and batch importing.
Cranfield University's uniqueness lies in its concentration on excellence and quality in post-graduate teaching research and continuing education. The University libraries support learning, teaching and research in the following key strategic sectors: aerospace, advanced engineering and materials, energy, defence, management and biotechnology.
Hazel Woodward, University Librarian, commented: "We are very excited that Cranfield will be the first UK University to install Hyperion. We are well aware of the excellent work already underway in the US utilising the extensive capabilities of the Hyperion package. The development of digital and multi-media collections is core to the University's Information Strategy and will enable us to extend access both on and off campus to our unique collections of theses, technical reports, photographs, sound and videos."
