The University of Pennsylvania's Online Computing Magazine
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September 1991 - Volume 8:1 [Printout | Contents | Search ]
Compiled by Patricia Renfro The Library's electronic services are developing and changing so rapidly that it's sometimes hard for members of the Penn community to keep up with what we have to offer. This year in Penn Printout we will continue to highlight new services and new information bases. In this issue we answer some commonly asked questions about the Penn Library Information Network. Stop by a library service desk and pick up a copy of the Library's 1991/92 Resource Guide for more information, or give us a call.
First there was PennLIN, now there's Franklin-what's up?The Penn Library Information Network (PennLIN) includes two major components: Franklin, Penn's online catalog, and PennData, a group of journal article citation databases including PsycINFO (psychology), MEDLINE (medicine), and ABI/Inform (Business). The names Franklin and PennData are relatively new; hence there's some confusion on campus. (Please see the diagram in printed copy for further clarification.)
Is Franklin complete?Currently Franklin includes about sixty percent of the materials in the Libraries-approximately 1.6 million titles. It includes all materials cataloged since 1968 in a wide range of formats-books, journals, newspapers, musical scores, microforms, compact discs, etc. On a continuing basis we are adding older materials in the collections to Franklin. In fact, Franklin is essentially complete for the collections of the Annenberg, Biomedical, Chemistry, Dental, Lippincott, and Veterinary libraries. Funds permitting, Franklin will in the future include records for all items in the Library's collections. Until then, it's important to check Van Pelt's union card catalog, or card catalogs in some of the school and departmental libraries, for older titles.
I've noticed that your online catalog sometimes includes information on whether a book is charged to a user. Why doesn't it include charges from all the libraries?We are in the process of bringing all the libraries (except Biddle) up on the Franklin circulation system. The Museum and Dental libraries will start using Franklin circulation during this fall semester. We expect that Annenberg will be ready next summer. Once a library is using Franklin circulation you will see the message Charged to a User. Due x/x/xx when a book is charged out. The note Circulation information not available generally displays for a reference book or rare book that does not circulate. Sometimes, however, an incomplete record will carry this message. Staff at the circulation desks will be happy to find out for you whether the item is charged out.Please note that although Franklin includes some records for Biddle Law Library materials, Biddle has its own online catalog, LOLA, which will include circulation status sometime in the future.
How can I search Franklin from home?If you have a personal computer, modem, telephone line, and communications software, you can dial in to Franklin from home. This service is only available to Penn faculty, staff, and students. Our information sheet, "Accessing Franklin from Remote Locations," available from library service desks, describes how to configure your communications software. (Please note that Data Communication and Computing Services (DCCS) is implementing a password system for people dialing in to the annex: prompt.
Do you plan to add other databases to PennData? Have you considered adding Current Contents or MLA?Yes. When we can afford to, we plan to add other major, broad- interest databases. The next file to come up on PennData will be MathSci, a comprehensive database in mathematics, statistics, and computer science. We are considering adding Current Contents to PennData since we recognize that this is an important current awareness re-source for many researchers on campus. There is also considerable interest in MLA (the Modern Language Association's Annual Bibliography of Language and Literature); we will be investigating the cost implications for this.
I've seen a lot of people doing computer searches in the Van Pelt, Biomedical, and Lippincott libraries. Can anyone do these and are they free? How do I find out what databases are available?The Library's database search services are available to Penn students, faculty, and staff. Although the largest database search areas are in the Biomedical, Lippincott and Van Pelt libraries, all the libraries on campus offer computerized search services. Many of our systems are free; see our handout, "Free Compact Disc and Online Search Services," available at service desks. Database search stations are generally located near reference desks so that reference librarians can help you choose a database and get you started with your search. Quick guides and help screens are also available, but please don't hesitate to ask for help. If you haven't tried one of our free databases, stop by some time and take a look. A computer search can save you a lot of valuable time!
Someone told me that I can do online searching of remote databases like those available through DIALOG or BRS, and that these are available at a subsidized rate. But I also heard that I need to attend a training session first. Why do I have to come to a training session, and how can I find out when these are held?Although we are able to offer a broad selection of databases at no charge, a number of databases are only available online and at a charge. The major database vendors have given the Penn Library a preferential academic rate for student searching. We further subsidize this so that the cost to you is $5 for half an hour of time online. The vendors give us this rate on condition that we train students in the use of their systems; it's a sensible marketing tool for them, and we're pleased that we can offer you such a great bargain. Training sessions for subsidized searching are held regularly in the Van Pelt and Lippincott Libraries, and are periodically scheduled in some school and departmental libraries. Check the calendar in Penn Printout, or call Van Pelt Reference (898-7555) or Lippincott Reference (898-5924) for more information.
PATRICIA RENFRO is Associate Director of Libraries, Public Services.
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