NTIS Broadens Access to DARTS: Depository Access to Reports, Technical & Scientific

Beta testing of the NTIS database is completed. NTIS is ready to expand access to "DARTS: Depository Access to Reports, Technical & Scientific" to the rest of the depository community. DARTS provides access to bibliographic records for approximately 240,000 publications from 1964-2000 and links to online content.

A validation form must be signed by your library director and faxed to GPO at 202-512-2300 before you receive access to DARTS. Once verified, NTIS will create an account for your library. NTIS workflows allow for the creation of about 200 accounts every two weeks. NTIS will create the accounts in the order in which faxed validation forms are received. When your account is activated, you will receive two e-mails from NTIS that include a link to the main access page, a user ID, password, and account number. These will arrive in two e-mails for security purposes.

Validation Form

By faxing the signed form your library has agreed to the terms on the form, which include:

• Login information is for library staff only and should not be given to patrons;


• Access by simultaneous users is supported but limited to a maximum of 30 workstations;


• As the depository coordinator, you must be the primary point of contact for any branch libraries that may be participating in the pilot;


• You may not allow organizations outside your library to connect to DARTS using your account and password via your library's computer network;


• Reports are not intended to be downloaded for additional distribution outside of your library users and the FDLP community. Please note that a user session will be terminated if more than 10 publications are downloaded in one minute.

During the pilot, information, including system usage and any impact on the financial stability of NTIS, will be gathered and reviewed. Some adjustments may have to be made in the pilot if a negative financial impact is realized, since we cannot undermine the financial stability of NTIS. However, both NTIS and GPO expect that the pilot will validate the assumption that NTIS can participate in the FDLP with its electronic content without suffering an economic loss that would be in violation of its legal requirements.

NTIS was very pleased with the beta testing and received many good suggestions, which will be implemented incrementally. The "Comments" link will not be removed from the Web site and you are welcome to provide NTIS with feedback through this mechanism. GPO and NTIS appreciate your willingness to participate in the pilot. This service could not be provided without your interest and support. GPO and NTIS look forward to enrolling more depositories in the pilot project.