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Retired: 1998 Recommended Specifications for Public Access Work Stations in Federal Depository Libraries [ Note: These 1998 standards are now superseded. For a complete explanation of LPS' current workstation recommendations and requirements, go HERE. ]
(to be published in Administrative Notes, vol. 19, no. 9 (June 15, 1998)
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. This document supersedes the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) "Recommended Specifications for Public Access Work Stations in Federal Depository Libraries" (AdNotes, v. 18, no. 9, June 15, 1997). If you have any questions about these specifications, please contact Cynthia Etkin, Inspector, at cetkin@gpo.gov or by voice at (202) 512-1119. Recommended New Work Station Configuration
COMPUTER
SOFTWARE
Related Issues and ConsiderationsThese 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. These guidelines are aimed at providing reasonably robust workstations which should provide years of service before they become obsolete, but LPS encourages the purchase of equipment that exceeds these specifications if at all economically feasible. The speed at which computer capabilities are evolving indicates that the higher the initial outlay, the longer the useful life for the equipment. Depository libraries must have computer equipment sufficient to allow timely and equitable public access to Government electronic information products and should allow printing or downloading information selected by the user. During a depository library inspection LPS will use a functional approach to determine compliance with this requirement. LPS cannot anticipate or address every possible depository library computer scenario and depository libraries are encouraged to adapt this menu of specifications to fit their local situations. Depositories may require multi-purpose single workstations, electronic access in networked environments, or a combination of both. 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 workstations in any given library. However, when assessing workstation needs, librarians should consider such local factors as: �
When configuring workstations bear in mind that some government CD-ROM products now link to the web to update information on the CD-ROM. This means that for the user to get the newer information and the full benefit of the product at least one workstation must have both CD-ROM capability and Internet accessibility with a graphical browser. Additional or different capabilities may be desirable for workstations 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 workstations, but this is a local resource management decision. Many depository libraries have existing computer equipment that 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. LPS has deliberately not provided specifications for Apple Macintosh (Mac) or UNIX workstations. Based on responses to the 1995 and 1997 Biennial Surveys, 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. � LPS works with the Cartographic Users Advisory Council (CUAC) to develop any additional specifications which support GIS applications. These are included in the recommendations with the indicator *For cartographic data use. LPS anticipates updating these specifications annually. For additional information, or if you have any questions about these specifications, please contact Cynthia Etkin, Inspector, at cetkin@gpo.gov or by voice at (202) 512-1119.
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Last updated: August 28, 2000 Page Name: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/retired/rs98.html | |||
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