----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Hello All,
    Our Documents Librarian forwarded this message from GOVDOC-L.
Something for us to be aware of.  Linda Zellmer
 
I have been asked to post the following information from GPO - Library
Programs Service.  All depositories, including Regionals, are going to
be surveyed concerning the USGS Orthophotoquadrangle (DOQ) maps on
CD-ROM.  The DOQ set contains digital images of aerial photographs
based on counties of the US.  The set is estimated to total 3,500
CD-ROMs and will be produced over a period of at least 5 years.
 
Selective depositories may select the discs for only one state - not
necessarily the library's home state.
 
Regional depositories must select which DOQ item numbers they wish to
receive.  Regionals will not automatically receive a complete national
set.
 
GPO is suggesting that libraries look into shared arrangements for
this massive amount of data.  A regional may select all 50 states, but
house the material elsewhere.
 
Why I am posting this information now is that GPO would like you to
start thinking, right now, about these shared arrangements and which states
you are going to want to select.  The survey was scheduled to go out
Nov 17th with a return date of Dec 17th.  Unfortunately, the machine
that produces the scannable survey sheets is broken, so the survey
will be delayed.  GPO is concerned that it may not go out until mid-
December and with the holidays you might have trouble getting it back
within a month's time.  Especially due to the decisions that have to
be made concerning this set.  But if you start thinking about it now,
you can return the survey quickly.
 
As for the computer hardware and software necessary to use these
CD-ROMs - the average file size for a DOQ is 55 megabytes (MB).
Therefore, using the DOQs will require, as a minimum, an
IBM-compatible 386 PC, 640K RAM, 70MB hard drive space, and a single
CD-ROM drive.  The PC should be operating under MS-DOS 5.0, have a
device driver for CD-ROM drive and have MS-DOS CD-ROM extensions
installed.  Use of Microsoft Windows 3.1 with a pointing device is
optional but recommended.
 
The DOQs will include only "plain vanilla" public domain software
which is distributable without licensing fees.  This software provides
basic retrieval functionality; it does NOT provide image display or
printing capability.  In order to utilize the DOQs a library will need
to purchase GIS software.
 
Questions??
 
Susan E. Tulis                                  Voice: 202/662-9200
Asst. Washington Representative, AALL           Fax: 202/662-9202
Georgetown University Law Library               E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
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