University of California Libraries and California Digital Library (CDL) staff have started the review process for identifying a system that will ensure the continuing quality of the Melvyl Union Catalog and other CDL-hosted databases such as Medline, Current Contents, and PsycINFO. The present system is based on mainframe computer technology that is nearing the end of its productive life. In 2001, the CDL must decide whether to upgrade or replace the present mainframe or to migrate the CDL bibliographic applications to another technology. A new system will provide access to state-of-the-art technologies and should enable us to merge the Union Catalog and California Periodicals database, provide more usable interfaces, and create a table platform for future development. With a fully developed vendor system, it should also be possible to shift some CDL development and maintenance staff to other critical CDL applications.

The review process, currently underway, involves an analysis and prioritization of the necessary and desirable features for a new system. We need your help in determining which features and services are important to retain, as well as new functions you would like the system to support. Please take a moment between now and January 31 to complete the survey at:

http://websurveyor.net/wsb.dll/2734/cdlhosted.htm

If you have additional comments or concerns, please mail them to the Libraries c/o Susan Starr, Associate University Librarian, Sciences: mailto:sstarr@ucsd.edu