District Library

launches

new

computer system

NORTH Vancouver District
Public Library computer
system is officially on-line.

On Saturday, North Vancouver
District Mayor Murray Dykeman
launched the public access com-
puter catalogue.

Michael
Becker

HIGH TECH

North Vancouver District
Council first threw its support
behind the eventual automation of
the library’s catalogue and cir-
culation systems in 1979.

In 1989 library planners chose
to purchase a package from Dynix
Library Systems. Libraries in
North Vancouver City and Var-
couver use the same system, said
North Vancouver District Pubiic
Library systems librarian Jac-
queline Van Dyk. ‘Dynix had the
most number of features and
looked like the best system.”

With machine-readable bar-
codes in piace on items circulated
throughout the Lynn Valley,
Capilano and Seycove branch
libraries the system, was automated
by May of last year. .

In December library users were
able to access the system by way
of computer terminals. There are
eight public access terminals at
Lynn Valley, eight at Capilano
and two at Seycove.

Van Dyk said library staff were
surprised by how quickly libary
users caught on to the process.
“The librarians expected to be
busy helping patrons learn how to
use the terminals, but what
they’ve found is that everybody is
ignoring the librarians and finding
things for themselves.””

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By using a computer terminal,
patrons are able to find the book,
tecord, video or cassette they
want, place a hold on it if it is not
in, review where they place in line
for more popular items, check
their own borrowing record and
check for overdue items.

The North Vancouver District
library carries 120,000 separate ti-
tles and has approximately
200,000 items in the system. In
1987, council allocated $665,000
for the library computerization
project.

At the hardware heart of the
system sits a Unix-based Hewlett
Packard HP 9000 Model 835 SE.
The system incorporates a DAT
tape drive for data base storage.

Pending funding approval,
library users will be able to dial
into the system later this year
from a home equipped with a PC
and modem.

Sunday, February 2, 1992 - North Shore News - 33

BUSINESS

LIONS GATE Hospital president Bob Smith (left), Lions Gate Rotary Club past president Gerry
Beach (right) and Dr. Gisla Vischer (centre) are pleased with the recent acquisition of a micro-
scope which will speed laboratory testing. The purchase was made possible by a $7,500 dona-
tion from the Lions Gate Rotary Club of North Vancouver, whese fundraising efforts for the

hospital are ongoing.

How Sweet it ts

Living and Working on the North Shore

The 100 PARK ROYAL office building offers spectacular views in all directions. An extensive renovation
program has recently been completed and with its newly finished lobby, improved security system and upgrad-
ed building systems, 100 PARK ROYAL is truly the finest office tower on the North Shore.

“COLLTERS

~ MACAULAY NIGOLILE