RUSLANet Project Summary

The main goal of the Regional University and Science Library Advanced Network the in North-West of Russia (RUSLANet) project is creation of common information space of libraries of North-West of Russia and its integration to European and worldwide library information space. For gaining the great idea the following problems must be solved:

• OPAC and full text databases;
• Internet access to bibliographical information and full text databases (Z39.50);
• search and request services for library systems;
• creation of library network infrastructure, providing the logical joining of libraries.

The RUSLANet project is based on the following concepts and technologies:

• "client-server" architecture;
• use of open standards on all layers of developing software;
• modern information technologies (RDBMS, Full Text Base, Internet Indexing Systems, etc.);
• modern and perspective forms of data representation (multimedia, audio-, video-, CD ROM, etc.);
• Internet technology (HTTP , standard Internet access products, Search Engines, Java, etc.);
• modern network technologies (FDDI, ATM, etc.).

According to chosen concepts the project's problems are realized in the following way:

• design of concept of library network of North-West of Russia with account of specific features of Russia (poor network infrastructure, unreliable channels, low level of library automatisation, Russian language, etc.);
• development of bibliographic distributed databases with respect of UNIMARC standard; working out of hierarchy of workbenches of library network (central database administrator, intermediate database administrator, librarian, end user, Internet user, etc.);
• creation of regional library hypertext WWW-server;
• use of existing infrastructure with account of perspectives of its future development.

The following organizations can participate the RUSLANet project:

• Fundamental Library and Open Library Systems Center, St.Petersburg State Technical University - main project coordinator and provider in Russia;
• RUSNet and Center of Telematics, St.Petersburg State Technical University - support of communication service and advanced network technologies, development of network infrastructure;
• American Library - consulting and experience exchange on development of modern library systems;
• Digital Equipment Corporation - general sponsor of the project. DEC has already granted to the project equipment, software and consulting on about $100.000;
• AMT Group - sponsor of the project. AMT Group granted communication equipment for 100Mb FDDI connection for Fundamental Library.

Conclusion

1. This project realizes in reality the idea of open community, assure free non-commercial access to information for all users without any limits and discrimination.
2. This project helps the integration of Russia in the worldwide information space not only as information customs, but also as information providers.
3. The main principles of the project are suitable for advanced European and American library systems.

More detailed information availiable.

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