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Maine InfoNet Project: Background and History

What is the Maine InfoNet Project?

The Maine InfoNet Project was developed, promoted and continues to be operated with the goal of improving library and information services to all Maine citizens through efficient use of online resources, online networks and computer technology, in combination with the collections and expertise available within Maine libraries.

Its roots go back to 1992, when the Maine State Library, the University of Maine System Libraries and the Maine Library Community began public discussion of opportunities afforded by evolving online technologies in the library environment. An attempt to fund the project through the Legislature in 1995 not not immediately successful. However, when presented as a bond proposal, Maine voters approved expenditure of $4.9 million for the project in June, 1996.

Major Components of the Proposal

  • Maine InfoNet Statewide Catalog
  • Minerva consortial library management system -- A cooperative approach to consortial automation of library management functions, enabling smaller libraries to take advantage of automation functions of the sort already established among libraries that are a part of the URSUS system.
  • Online Requesting and lending system built upon the the Maine Info Net Statewide Catalog
  • Grants for one-time retrospective conversion of significant statewide holdings to electronic form, for inclusion in the Maine InfoNet Statewide Catalog
  • Maine InfoNet Gateway

In implementing the solution decided upon, the SOLAR (Statewide Online Lending and Requesting) system was created. It joined 9 other online library systems (Minerva, URSUS, Bates, Bowdoin, Colby, Maine College of Art, Maine Maritime Academy, Portland Public Library, University of New England) in a direct link to the central Maine InfoNet Statewide Catalog. As of May, 2004, nearly 80 Maine libraries, including virtually all the major collections, are linked together in real time for online requesting and lending.

In 2003 a strategic plan for the future of the Maine InfoNet Project was developed. Going forward, the Maine InfoNet Statewide Catalog and such gateway services as statewide licensing on online information content, development of federated searching of that content, and related activities, is to be carried forward by a new organizational entity arising out of a formal partnership between the Maine State Library and the University of Maine System. Minerva and SOLAR will be managed as projects of the Maine State Library and no longer spoken of as Maine InfoNet Project components.

The Maine InfoNet Statewide Catalog is highly successful. It currently contains about 3 million titles representing 6.7 million items. Online requesting and lending continues to accelerate. In the last 12 months, about 29,000 items were shared using the system.

Minerva is thriving, with 50 participating libraries and 4-5 additional libraries waiting to join later in 2004. With the exception of local administrative support and training provided by Maine State Library staff, an annual fee paid by participating libraries pays ongoing support expenses and periodic hardware and software upgrade costs. The system is managed by Maine State Library, but with full and formal advisory participation by member libraries.

SOLAR is gradually getting increased attention. As many as 200 smaller library collections will one day be represented in the database. However, processes for streamlining data loading, maintenance and training activities are still being refined. As of May 2004, parts of 20 collections are in the SOLAR catalog and only 6 libraries participate in online requesting and lending. The great untapped potential of this system wants only for additional staff time to blossom into a thriving enterprise.

Licensing of online resources has expanded dramatically as a result of extensive efforts of the Maine Library Community, the University of Maine System, the Community College System and others to secure funding. Meanwhile, preliminary work on federated searching and related database management and creation efforts proceeds, primarily at the University of Maine System.

InfoNet Chronology

From Karl Beiser's notes and personal recollection, this is a reasonably accurate chronology of events associated with the Maine InfoNet system and other activities related to it.

July 17, 1992

Automation Subcommittee of the Maine Library Commission meets in Augusta, with assignment, "to study automation in Maine libraries" and "begin dialog, decide how dialog is to be held". Members and advisors: Elaine Albright, Karl Beiser, Marcia Dworak, Sheldon Kay, Marilyn Lutz, Gary Nichols, Jean Pernice, Barbara Rice.

Sept 25, 1992

Subcommittee meets to discuss telecommunications with CAPS and state government staff, at Bangor PL.

April, 1993

Additional meetings of Automation Subcommittee

Oct 15, 1993

Statewide Automation Forum at Bangor Community College Campus.

Feb-June, 1993

Additional meetings of Automation Subcommittee

Aug-Dec, 1994

InfoNet bill drafted by Joint Legislative Committee of the Maine Library Association, Maine Educational Media Association and Maine Library Commission. Responsibility for proposal moves to this Committee.

May 15, 1995

PUC decides rate and regulation cases, sets aside up to $20 million to provide public and student network access through public libraries and schools respectively.

Jan-May, 1995

Legislative lobbying in favor of InfoNet proposal, then known as LD-500.

May, 1995

Legislative leadership rejects bill in original form, with approval of library backers recasts and approves it as a bond issue proposal.

June - Aug 1995

Library community and Dept of Education representatives meet with NYNEX staff and other interested parties as firm develops implementation plan as dictated by PUC ruling.

January, 1996

PUC considers NYNEX proposal, issues final order to establish MSLN.

Feb-Mar, 1996

Thirty-one Library Links '96 meetings on InfoNet and MSLN held at 19 locations across Maine.

May, 1996

Sharon Treat's LD 828 "An Act to Provide Affordable Access to Information Services in All Communities of the State through Enhance Library and School Telecommunications" is approved by the Legislature at PL 631, sustaining and extending PUC action in creation of MSLN.

June, 1996

First MSLN installations take place

June, 1996

InfoNet bond passes

Nov, 1996

PUC approves broadening MSLN participation to other than public libraries, but with additional requirements for eligibility placed on that participation.

Nov-Dec 1996

Final public meetings to discuss broad outlines of working definition of Maine InfoNet

Dec, 1996

Four InfoNet Task Forces established to discuss RFP issues

Dec 1996 - Mar, 1997

Task Forces discuss issues, mostly by email. It is decided to wait for RFP draft specifications and work from them rather than try to assemble specs from scratch within Task Force structure.

Apr-Nov, 1997

RFP draft developed.

June, 1997

Last MSLN installations take place

Jan-Sep 1998

Potential for beneficial focus on Innovative Interfaces as primary vendor explored by Gary Nichols, Elaine Albright, Karl Beiser and Marilyn Lutz.

Fall, 1999

Minerva server installed in Orono.

Jan, 2000

Minerva goes live.

During 2000

SOLAR (then called Holdings Database) installed, configured.

During 2000

Maine InfoNet Statewide Catalog installed, links to 10 participating systems established, database built.

Jan, 2001

Maine InfoNet Statewide Catalog requesting goes live.

Ongoing

SOLAR expansion, Minerva expansion