Monday, April 27, 1998
UCLA prepares for birth of Orion2 data-base system
LIBRARIES: Campus to rewire, equip locations for improved
software
By Chauntelle Tibbals
Daily Bruin Contributor
After a year-long delay, UCLA’s new library information access
system, Orion2, has been rescheduled to replace the outdated Orion
system this summer.
Orion2 will be a Windows-based system which will allow users to
search throughout UCLA libraries and will provide additional links
to related material. The Orion2 software was designed and purchased
from Data Research Associates (DRA) in June of 1996.
But UCLA is not yet fully equipped for Orion2. Most of the
libraries must be rewired, and new computer terminals need to be
purchased.
Although the College and Biomedical libraries are already
equipped for the public use of Orion2, the University Research
Library (URL) and the small science and engineering libraries are
not quite finished.
"Because of the earthquake, money was allotted to the College
Library for seismic renovation. (The library) was rewired at that
time," said Marie Saito, the Management Services Officer of UCLA’s
Biomedical Library.
The age and layout of the larger libraries is causing the
rewiring process to go more slowly, Saito said. Equipping the
libraries with new computer terminals that can handle Orion2 has
also been deterring the implementation process.
Currently, patrons often find the library’s old computer
terminals very user-unfriendly, confusing and likely to
malfunction.
Kristin Jakob, a fourth-year film student and employee of the
Biomedical library said she was pleased about the incoming Orion2
system.
"The new system means we will finally be getting new computer
terminals throughout the libraries. Fewer computers will crash, and
fewer patrons will be complaining," she said.
Recently, current technological advances in information search
methods have caused the UCLA libraries to be less able to meet the
needs of patrons. Orion2 will utilize the Internet to improve the
library’s overall efficiency.
New services offered will include more flexible searches, links
to related web sites and a more advanced interlibrary book
retrieval system. These things will enable library patrons to more
fully utilize the entire library system, according to library
officials.
Orion2 will also solve the upcoming Year 2000 problem occurring
in the UCLA libraries. Currently, library records are unable to be
created past Dec. 31, 1999. With Orion2, library cards will be able
to be issued and records will be able to be retrieved past the turn
of the century.
"UCLA will be the first school with this new type of system,"
Saito said.
Although Orion2 overall is an innovative and brand new system
for UCLA, the name has not changed much. The name, "Orion2," was
selected by administrators after much consideration. It was chosen
rather than the student-preferred YODA.
"I personally was opting for the name YODA," said Richard Na, a
fourth-year microbiology and molecular genetics student. "Orion2 is
not very creative."
Planning for Orion2 training sessions have already begun. DRA
will eventually be sending representatives to UCLA libraries to
teach full-time staff members the intricacies and advantages of
Orion2. Then library patrons will need to be taught how to operate
Orion2.
Chris Miklos, a fourth-year chemical engineering student and
student supervisor at the Biomedical Library, said he "fears the
changes the Orion2 system will bring."
"More patrons will be attempting to utilize the library’s
resources, and they may not know how to access them," he said.
Currently, library patrons use Melvyl to search different
databases within the UC system. Information obtained via Melvyl is
then applied to Orion to find specific records within UCLA
libraries. Melvyl will not be affected by the new system.
"The Melvyl system will not be changing because it already has a
web interface and can be accessed via the internet and Telnet,"
said Terry Ryan, assistant library administrator at the University
Research Library (URL).
Administrators feel that Orion2 will improve the UCLA libraries
and the services they provide. "Because so many resources are now
on the web, Orion2’s web-friendly system will enhance the library,"
Ryan said.
MICHAEL ROSS WACHT/Daily Bruin
Reference desk assistant Norman Buchwald (right) aids grad
student Shawn Wade.