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Retired: 1997 Recommended Specifications for Public Access Work Stations in Federal Depository Libraries
[ Note: These 1997 standards are now superseded. For a complete explanation of LPS' current workstation recommendations and requirements, go HERE. ]
(from Administrative Notes, vol. 18, no. 9 (June 15, 1997)
These recommended specifications are intended to assist depository librarians who are planning purchases of new personal computers (PCs) for public use in Federal depository libraries. The Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) "Recommended Minimum Specifications For Public Access Work Stations in Federal Depository Libraries" (AdNotes, v. 17, no. 7, May 15, 1996) and "Spatial Data Supplement to Recommended Minimum Specifications For Public Access Work Stations in Federal Depository Libraries" (AdNotes, v. 17, no. 8, June 15, 1996) are both superseded by this document. Recommended New Work Station Configuration
COMPUTER
SOFTWARE
Related Issues and ConsiderationsThese specifications are intended to assist in the purchase of new public access work stations capable of using most FDLP electronic information products. Additional or different capabilities may be desirable for work stations used by library staff. Some libraries may elect to add applications software, such as spreadsheet, word processing, or data base software, to their public access work stations, but this is a local resource management decision. Last year, LPS was advised that work stations which conformed to our specifications might not be adequate for electronic cartographic information, or to run geographic information system (GIS) software. At that time, LPS worked with the Cartographic Users Advisory Council (CUAC) to develop a supplemental set of specifications which support GIS applications. Beginning this year, additional specifications for cartographic data have been integrated into the main recommendations with the indicator *For cartographic data use. Depository libraries are encouraged to adapt this menu of specifications to fit their local situations. Depositories may require multi-purpose single work stations, electronic access in networked environments, or a combination of both. LPS cannot anticipate or address every possible depository library computer scenario. Rather, these specifications are intended to assist depository staff in making informed purchases which will best achieve the goal of providing public access to Federal Government information in a variety of electronic formats. Computer equipment in depository libraries must be sufficient to allow timely and equitable public access to Government electronic information products and should allow printing or downloading information selected by the user. Given the large variation in the size of Federal depository libraries and the numbers of users served, LPS can not recommend a universal standard for the number of public access work stations in any given library. However, when assessing work station needs, librarians should consider such local factors as the amount of information provided over the Internet compared with the amount from CD-ROM, whether and how the work stations are networked, to what extent users are permitted to perform additional information processing at the public access work stations, whether users are experiencing extended waiting times at library peak service hours, etc. LPS has deliberately not provided specifications for Apple Macintosh (Mac) or UNIX work stations. Based on responses to the 1995 Biennial Survey, Mac's are the computer of choice for a small minority of the depository libraries. However, depository libraries which have a Mac or UNIX environment should assess their functional capabilities in light of these specifications. Many depository libraries have existing computer equipment which is no longer "state of the art." These specifications should not be applied retrospectively to existing equipment, although they may assist in determining the appropriate time for replacement or upgrading. These specifications are not intended to describe a "best possible" work station. Instead, they are the baseline specifications which should be considered when purchasing new stand-alone public access work stations. LPS encourages the purchase of equipment which exceeds these specifications if at all economically feasible. The speed at which computer capabilities are evolving suggests that a higher initial outlay will result in an extended useful life for the equipment. For additional information, or if you have any questions about these specifications, please contact Lee Morey, Electronic Transition Specialist, at dmorey@gpo.gov or by voice at (202)512-1698.[ was Lee Morey at the time - NOW contact Cynthia Etkin - Program Analyst, at cetkin@gpo.gov Voice: 202-512-1119. ] |