InfoNet Project: Chart and Definitions, 1996
The Maine InfoNet Project brings powerful information resources
and services to Maine people through libraries.
Background
Funded initially by a $4.9 million bond issue approved by Maine voters
in June, 1996, the Maine InfoNet project seeks to improve citizen access
to information libraries by means of new online systems and services.
The program supports two major programs: (1) a statewide union catalog,
and (2) electronic resources.
InfoNet Chart
Definition of terms and explanation of above chart
Maine InfoNet (or InfoNet)
-center of diagram- between Access System Service Providers and Info
Net Services
- Umbrella organization that encompasses service programs for the
statewide union catalog, electronic resources purchasing, and portal
development. InfoNet Statewide
Catalog (MaineCat)or called statewide union catalog
Access System "Service Providers" for InfoNet are:
- listed to left of InfoNet in diagram-
- URSUS: The system used and managed by the University
of Maine System, and to which some independent libraries belong (such
as Maine State Library and Bangor Public Library). URSUS
Catalog
- Minerva: A separate, standalone library management
system managed by the Maine State Library on behalf of specific member
libraries. For purposes of this document, Minerva is a contributor
to InfoNet but it is not a formal program of InfoNet. Minerva's
Catalog
- C.B.B.: A shared system for Colby, Bates, Bowdoin
Colleges
- Unaffiliated Libraries: Libraries that use their
own (and generally small) local systems, but who contribute their holdings
information to the statewide catalog. This group, which was formerly
referred to as the “Holdings Database" or now "SOLAR" libraries,
is referred to here as “Unaffiliated Libraries” , to indicate
that these libraries contribute their holdings to the database, but
they are not affiliated with one of the group local catalogs noted
immediately above. SOLAR's Catalog
- Independents: Current "Independents" stand-alone
systems include Maine College of the Arts, Maine Maritime Academy,
the University of New England, and Portland Public Library.
InfoNet Services
-right of InfoNet in diagram-
- Union Catalog: The Maine InfoNet Statewide Catalog
is a real-time, physical union catalog of 2.8 million unique titles
and 5.4 million items. The following separate systems are linked through
the statewide catalog. InfoNet
Statewide's Catalog(MaineCat)
- Electronic Resources, now called MARVEL!, Funded
by a combination of legislative appropriations to the Maine State Library,
Maine Telecommunications Access Fund monies, and additional support
from the University of Maine System, this program provides all Mainers
with free online access to a broad selection of full-text electronic
resources. Although funded through separate efforts, these e-resources
are linked through the “Maine InfoNet” brand.
- Other services listed on right side of diagram: Delivery, Standards,
Other Services
