Online services in library media centers

[Sue Anderson <sander@TENET.EDU>]

     Back in February, I posted a request for information on
how bulletin board systems, Free-Nets, and other online
services were used in library-media centers.  The responses I
received have been helpful and varied.  For those who
participated and those who were interested in what I found
out, here is a short summary of the responses.

     Some individuals have worked with the Dialog online
database service.  The students themselves had access to this
service through classroom or individual accounts.  Many felt
that this service was valuable because it has professional
databases in almost every area.  The students can use it for
research projects, etc.  One school taught their ninth
graders explicitly about this service while another gave all
seniors a demo of Dialog.  Another high school librarian
discussed how she uses this for research purposes.  She
suggests that it is useful for magazine citations and full
text.
     Other individuals discusssed district-wide networks, e-
mail, and a BBS.  Users range from students, teachers,
superintendents, secretaries, librarians, and others.
Sometimes the access is limited but some have offered free
access.  The BBS has been successful in one particular school
district.  The BBS in this district can be accessed through
the network as well as through three incoming phone lines.
Students readily use this service to post messages about
projects, ask for help, participate in trivia quizzes or
mysteries.  One students who was bedridden with illness used
the BBS to get his homework assignments from teachers.  He
was also able to stay in touch with his classmates and not
miss out too much.  Teachers now use this and the Internet to
investigate curriculum ideas.  Some have begun to collaborate
with other schools.  There are students who help with the
system operator duties, which takes 2-3 hours of daily
maintenance for this district with 250 users.
     One coordinator discussed the Ohio Education Computer
Network.  It was established to handle payroll and fiscal
activities for the districts.  The system has been changed
slightly and can now be used to access the Internet.  There
are 750 users for this particular division.  Different menus
are available based on the 'type' of user.  The largest
audience is teachers and administrators.  The students are
still restricted in their menu selections.  A class account
can be established to deal with those grades where individual
accounts might not be appropriate.  This class account is
under the supervision of the teacher and gives the the class
an identity to use when dealing with other classes or users.
They are working closely with teachers to who how Internet
can be coupled with the curriculum at all levels.
     One individual discussed the use of a Freeport-based
system.  This system offers accounts to teacher and students.
The menu is structured to point out sources for educational
materials.  There is a generous newsgroup fee as well as
several listservs.  Response has been good.  On a daily
basis, approximately 700 calls are received and about 100
accounts are added.
     One rural district spokesperson discussed how the
Internet was breaking the isolation the school usually feels.
Although their system has only been in place for a week,
teachers have found curriculum information online and are
trying to collaborate with other schools.  It has been useful
in answering technical questions, and some lists have
provided valuable information.
     Another librarian discussed the use of e-mail and the
Internet for advanced students.  Four courses are being
taught through these services, and the students are also able
to search other libraries and use ILL to obtain material that
they need.
     Another individual discussed how her district has their
own gopher server.  Students are allowed access to the net on
a needs basis from school and also have free access from home
on a guest account (15 ports).  Use right now is restricted
to guests and administrators and teachers with accounts.  It
has been used by all types to access information for studies,
debates, and fun.
     Many are trying various ways to provide these services.
It seems that all are getting very good responses.  The issue
is not whether to provide these services, but how.  It seems
that networking has helped those who are in the process of
finding some answers.  Hopefully, it will help those who are
just beginning.  Thanks for sharing!