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October/November 1996, vol. 28, nos. 10-11
An Access AMICUS user in British Columbia can now search the Library’s database until 6:00 p.m. PST any weekday. A user in Nova Scotia has a similar service until 10:00 p.m. And both can connect all through the night on Saturday and Sunday.
In response to requests from users across the country, the National Library has more than doubled the hours that Access AMICUS is available. The new hours, in effect since August 22, are:
| Monday: | midnight to 9:00 p.m. EST |
|---|---|
| Tuesday to Friday: | 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. |
| Saturday: | 5:00 a.m. to midnight |
| Sunday: | All day |
A further increase in hours is expected early in 1997. The timing depends on the installation and use of a UNIX operating system, new database management software, and new server hardware with more growth potential. Currently, the system is shut down nightly to allow essential database backup. However, when the new equipment and software are in place, it should be possible to perform the backup while AMICUS is running and Access AMICUS will remain available during “housekeeping”.
Other improvements in the early planning stages include a new design approach that will place complete bibliographic records in single files. As well, streamlining the search engine, according to Bill Newman, Director of Systems and Telecommunications Support in the National Library’s Information Technology Services, will improve response time and significantly reduce the risk of “system hang”.
“We’re always trying to improve response time, availability and reliability,” he says. “And with the UNIX operating system and other changes, we will be able to do that. You can expect another increase in service hours in 1997.”
Access AMICUS Client Information Centre and Network Control Centre hours remain:
Access AMICUS
Client Information Centre
National Library of Canada
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0N4
Telephone: (819) 997-7227
Fax: (819) 994-6835
Internet: cic@nlc-bnc.ca
ENVOY 100: its.cic
TTY: (613) 992-6969
WWW: http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/amicus/access/eaccamic.htm
Copyright. The National Library of Canada. (Revised: 1996-11-06).