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Ligue des Bibliothèques Europeènnes de Recherche, Groupe des Cartothécaires de LIBER
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© LIBER and author
When I last had a chance to speak about computerization, 4 years ago at the conference in Paris, there was no question of the computerization of our collection. Now, I am able to say that we are crossing the borderline of traditional library activities and we have undergone technological changes.
The situation has altered since the appearance of the integrated VTLS system (Virginia Technology Library System) in Polish libraries. It was on January 15th 1992 at the meeting in the National Library in Warsaw that the Jagiellonian Library and the Library of the Gdaþsk University agreed to the purchase of the VTLS Inc. software. They were soon joined by the University Library in Torun, University Library in Wrocþaw, University Library in Warsaw, the Library of the University of Mining and Metallurgy in Kraków, and in 1993 by the Library of the Maria Curie- Sklodowska University in Lublin, the library of the Catholic University in Lublin, the Library of Technical University in Lublin and the Library of the Agricultural University. So far the network of libraries using VTLS amounts to 11. It is worth mentioning that because of the prominence of these libraries in Poland, the purchase of the VTLS system will have a big impact on other libraries. We already know that this system is due to be introduced in the Municipal Public Library in Kraków (thanks to a grant by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation) as well as in other Kraków libraries.
There are new inter-library forms of cooperation connected with the implementation of VTLS. As VTLS modules enable network connections with foreign library and bibliographic systems, libraries which had bought the system obtained access to the EARN and INTERNET networks. The NASK network (Scientific and Academic Computer Network) which is sponsored by the government and the Committee for Scientific Research, which has a regional structure, has been functioning in Poland for 2 years now. It cooperates with the public packet switching network POL/PAK. NASK Communication services provide the possibility of connecting to INTERNET. At present there are 21 EARN nodes working in all major academic centres. The X-25 network covers the whole of the country. The main connection nodes of the NASK network are situated in the Informatics Centre of the Warsaw University and in the Astronomy Centre in Warsaw. The main nodes are connected to STAR-MASTER which connects us to INTERNET.
However, let us get back to the computerization of the Jagiellonian Library. Since 1990 this library
has been implementing the integrated library system VTLS. The advantages are amongst
others:
- the possibility of loading model entries,
- the application of a MARC format,
- the usage of graphic symbols,
- the possibility of coupling with computer software,
- the possibility of network access for different systems.
The heart of the system is a Hewlett Packard H.P.3000 ser.947 XL computer with a capacity of 196
Mb operating memory and 4 Gb disk memory. It is the basis for the computer catalogue and the
internal computer network of the library, which again is connected to INTERNET.
On January 2nd 1994 started the creation of the computer collection of the Jagiellonian Library.
The basic modules of this system are:
- the collection module AFAS (Acquisitions and Found Accounting System). At this level the
first, shortened description of a library item is prepared, called "Class 01".,
- the cataloguing module, based on the original catalogue, comprises also the catalogue of model
entries also termed authority control files (in Polish KHW). Data loaded in the base are later
rendered accessible in the On-line Public Access Catalogue (OPAC).
- the OPAC module, which functions with the help of Intelligent Works Station (Pro-cite)
devices, which allows for searching without commands,
- the "Circulation" module (i.e. lendings),
- the "Journal Indexing" module, for processing and describing journals.
A separate module is being prepared for special collections, which includes the cartographic collections.
This new "Project for providing access to the special collections of the Jagiellonian Library in
digital form" aims at working up formats for different special collections, so as to create the data
base for manuscripts, old prints, musical requisites, graphics and cartography.
We also intend to develop methods for the electronic copying of our collection. Initial arrange-
ments assume cooperation with "Vesalius" medical publishers, which owns a Crossfield scanner,
ensuring good quality colour copies of the photographs of our most precious historic places.
In the more distant future, we plan to consider the possibility of teletransmission which would
enable us to watch scanned pictures from any distance. The project will be carried out in cooperati-
on with computer scientists and librarians. An important stage of this plan will be making copies on
the compact information carrier rendered accessible by CD-ROM readers. In order to provide
access to copies on microcomputers, it is planned to work up software sets based on different
platforms and different system environments.
Computerization in the Cartography Department.
The progress in the computerization of the cartographic collection depends at the moment on
completion of the Polish bibliographic norm based on US MARC. The norm for the Polish
description is being prepared by the team in the National Library in Warsaw and is expected to be
ready in 1995.
In 1996 we should start loading map descriptions in the Jagiellonian Library VTLS. We will begin with the descriptions of new maps currently coming to the department, and only then will we start the conversion of our catalogue. (So far we have started the preliminary form of filing the topographic maps catalogue in the ISIS programme).
What has just been said about the implementation of VTLS in the Jagiellonian Library also determines the framework of computerization for the cartographic collection. We are also conditioned by the development of the geographical information system in Poland and the development of regional information systems (Geographic Information System and Land Information System).
In order to present our situation more clearly, it should be mentioned that, paradoxically, Poland does not have an integrated system of geographic information for the whole country yet; a system which could help solve various problems connected with rational land management. We have at our disposal the 1:10,000 scale maps of our country, but not all topographic maps have a uniform coordinate system. It was only recently that the teams selected from the Section of Geodetic Networks and the Cartographic Section of the Polish Academy of Sciences Geodetic Committee decided on a new coordinate system which is to be ETRF-89 (European Terrestrial Reference Frame 1989) with the reference ellipsoid (GRS 80).
In 1990 prof. Jerzy Gazdzicki, a computer scientist and president of the Polish Society of Spatial Information, (author of the handbook "Spatial Information Systems"), prepared a consistent plan for an all-Poland spatial information system. He worked out the project "Spatial information subsystems for the needs of spatial management" for the Ministry of Spatial Management and Building. In the project he distinguished the base and topical subsystems. The data for base subsystems include: the geodetic matrix, the basic map on scale 1:10,000, topographic maps and land cadastre. On the basis of the base subsystems, the topical subsystems for local, regional, and all-country can function. (In the local subsystems, basic maps and land cadastre form the basis; in the regional subsystems, maps on a scale larger than 1:100,000; in the all-country system, maps on a scale larger than 1:1,000,000 in digital and analogue form).
The topical subsystems are integrated with the base subsystems in areas reflecting the administrati- ve division of the country and areas constituting geographical regions. Prof. Gaþdzicki suggested in his handbook the way of normalization of recording and transferring spatial data and described ten recommended packs for use.
Summing up the task we want to undertake in the field of computerization in our department, we have to say that in the first place we are thinking of the digitization of our maps, beginning with old plans of Kraków and maps of Galicia (i.e.Southern Poland). This will be done in cooperation with different institutions (e.g. university institutes and administrative units). The situation is different with the digitization of topographical maps. At present one of the most important applications of the systems of geographic information in Poland is the system of digital preparation of topographic maps of Poland, based on 32-bit microcomputers, implemented two years ago by the Topographic Department of the Polish Army. The system works with an analytic plotter and a plotter with automatic photosetting. Recently, for the needs of the digital topographic map of Poland, the "Intergraph" system has been implemented, which is equipped with a high quality scanner and software enabling the processing topographic information. In the future we would like to render the digital base of the topographic map of Poland accessible to our rea- ders.
In finishing, it is worth mentioning that cooperation plays a great part in our gaining computer experience. We are cooperating within the framework of the EU. There was a seminar in the National Library in Warsaw in 1993 during which our cooperation with LIBER was discussed (among the participants were: the Director of the National and University Library in Helsinki, Prof. Esko Häkli, and Prof. Hans Albrecht Koch from Bremen). We also set our hopes on the cooperation in the Conspectus programme, which leads to the creation of an information base for a United Europe on the basis of national databases. Such a base should also include maps from Polish libraries. Two persons from Krak¢w, from the Department of Library Science (Prof. Maria Koc¢jowa and Dr. Wanda Pindlowa) were present at the last Conspectus and Liber Conference.
References.
Gazdzicki, Jerzy, Systemy informacji przestrzennej. Warszawa-Wrocþaw, Panstwowe
Przedsiebiorstwo Wydawnictw Kartograficznych, 1990.
Baranowski, Marek, Rozwój kartografii komputerowej i systemów informacji
geograficznej w Polsce na tle tendencji þwiatowych [= Directions of development of computer
assisted cartography and geographic information system in Poland at the background of the world
trends]. In: Polski Przeglad Kartograficzny, 1991, nr 1-2, p. 8-13.
"Komputeryzacja bibliotek", Materiaþy konferencji 24-26 maja 1993, Toruþ, pod red.
B.Ryszewskiego. Toruþ 1994.
Dobrzyþska-Lankosz, Ewa, M. Nahotko, Zautomatyzowane systemy biblioteczne: VTLS.
In: Bibliotekarz, 1992, nr 2, p. 14-19.
Baran, Wþodzimierz, New National System of Geodetic Coordinates in Poland. In:
Geodezja i Kartografia. T.43, 1994, z.1, p. 41-49.