Huntsville, Alabama (November 1, 1994) - SIRSI announces the release of Version 7.0 of its UNICORN Collection Management System and Scientific And Technical Information Library Automation System (STILAS) software.

SIRSI's software development team has added visible features and strengthened the behind-the-scenes mechanics. New buttons increase the ease of UNICORN/STILAS use, while improved access control allows libraries to better manage system security. These features are available in both the character client and the new graphical user interface (GUI) client.

Some of the changes in the UNICORN/STILAS Version 7.0 software are:

Call number browsing

Call number browsing has been added to the list of browse choices. Version 7.0 provides two display options for call number browsing. Patrons see a list of 13 numbered one-line entries. Each entry displays a list number, a call number, and the title and author associated with the number. Technical services staff see a numbered list of seven two-line entries. The first displays the full call number, the number of copies, and the first qualifying home location. The second line displays a portion of the title and author associated with the call number. Through the OPTIONS button, the user can choose which display option is used or qualify the browse through optional fields. Call number browsing has also been added as a selection on the LIKE screen, which allows patrons to browse items that would be nearby on the shelf.

Information Gateway

A new product introduced with Version 7.0, the Information Gateway provides a gateway to resources outside the library's catalog. The Gateway Manager, an administrative tool of the Information Gateway, allows the library to build connection files in any hierarchy desired. Added access control features allow the library to track which external resources are being used, who is using them, and how long they are being used. A variety of reports to aid in resource management can also be generated.

Search result printing

Selected or "marked" search results can now be sent to a printer attached to the OPAC workstation or to another printer connected via a network.

User address fields

The address and comment fields of the user record have been replaced with multiple, variable fields. Address and comment field labels may now be tailored by the library. For instance, school libraries may wish to have address fields such as student name, grade, and homeroom teacher whereas a research library may want to include fields such as mail stop or building number.

UTILITIES button

Utilities which were previously available outside the UNICORN/STILAS workstation are now available as a UTILITIES button in the character client or as a pull-down menu in the GUI client. Reports and other utilities can be reached without halting the workstation.

END button

An END button has been added to every screen. At any stage, an authorized user can halt the session by selecting the END button. For users who are not authorized to halt the session, the END button resets the workstation and returns the user to the opening screen.

Access control

In addition to UNIX security, the access control built into the UNICORN/STILAS software has been reorganized and enhanced. Three new policies - User Access, Environment, and Station - allow the library to define which functions, external resources, terminal types and peripherals are available at various workstations.

The enhancements to the UNICORN/STILAS software in Version 7.0 are a result of SIRSI's extensive research and development as well as a response to the suggestions of current SIRSI customers and users. Upgrades to Version 7.0 are available to current SIRSI customers as part of their software maintenance agreements.