OCLC TO TEST INTERNET ACCESS TO PRISM

DUBLIN, Ohio, Feb. 7, 1994--In April, OCLC will begin providing Internet
access to the PRISM service for cataloging and interlibrary loan on a
trial basis for one year. 

"We believe that, over time, some significant transition from the OCLC
network to the Internet and NREN is likely," said K. Wayne Smith, OCLC
president and CEO.  "OCLC's basic objective is to help make this
transition as smooth as possible for its entire membership.  OCLC is
committed to increasing access to the world's information and reducing the
costs of both the access and the information.  OCLC is not committed to
maintaining a proprietary network, which has always been operated on
essentially a break-even basis as a means to an end."

"OCLC currently estimates that fewer than a third of its 17,000
participating libraries are able to access the Internet," Dr. Smith
stated.  "Nonetheless, if these libraries move to the Internet, the number
is large enough to affect OCLC's overall telecommunications cost
structure.  To insure fairness and equity in these costs for all OCLC
members, there will have to be a nominal connect-hour charge for
cataloging and ILL access to Internet at least during a transition
period."

The Internet connection to the PRISM service will provide full, interactive
functionality of the cataloging and interlibrary loan systems, when
accessed via OCLC PASSPORT software.

"After a year of experience with Internet access, during which OCLC hopes
to get answers to questions regarding user support, costs, response time,
billing, and reliability, we will be in a better position to make
decisions about the facilities we will need for providing Internet access
on a permanent basis," said Shirley Hyatt, manager, product services. 

According to Ms. Hyatt, one of the biggest changes that will come with
expanded Internet access is that OCLC and its regional network affiliates
will no longer be able to provide libraries with the same
"cradle-to-grave" support that they currently have with the OCLC network
and OCLC workstations and products.

Ms. Hyatt also noted that having PRISM services available via the Internet
will broaden international access to OCLC, particularly for countries in
which high telecommunications costs currently create a barrier. 

During the test, if demand exceeds capacity (500 simultaneous users),
additional users will temporarily be prevented from logging on. 
Therefore, OCLC encourages users not to remove their other OCLC access
methods until they gain more experience with cataloging and resource
sharing via the Internet.

Prior to the beginning of the test, users will receive an OCLC technical
bulletin with instructions for logging on.

OCLC currently provides Internet access with no connect charge for
reference services and the Electronic Journals Online publications.  This
policy will be continued.

OCLC is a nonprofit computer library service and research organization
whose computer network and services link more than 17,000 libraries in 52
countries and territories.  (NC)

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