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DS equipped mobile library wins award
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 A new Walsall mobile library van has just won the top award at the biggest ever meeting for Mobile Libraries held in Leicester, England. Out of 54
mobile library vans, the Walsall van was voted the best by delegates attending the conference.
is provider of library systems to nearly a third of UK public libraries, helped to
equip the mobile library van with library stock, six PCs, a flatbed scanner, a laser printer and a slip printer. The equipment is run off-line using the DS mobile software or can
work on-line when the mobile is plugged into an ISDN line provided from the nearest lamppost!
The van functions as both an on-line library and a learning resource centre and all the services
associated with a normal static branch library are available - access to all functions of the DS Galaxy 2000 library system, including public enquiry screens using DS Viewpoint 2000;
terminals dedicated to staff functions; full Internet access for staff and the public; connection to networked CD-ROMs; printing from any terminal; and local MS Office software facilities.
In addition to the PC equipment (specially
selected for their small footprint, low power consumption and low weight) the van is kitted out with lighting, heating, a disabled lift and even a TV camera for use while reversing.
DS was involved in partnership with the local authority, Bailey’s Body Builders Ltd, and British
Telecom to make this project work. In a world where mobile library vans are expected to do the job of a fully stocked small branch library, at a fraction of the cost, who knows where this development will lead?
DS has replaced its simple yellow and grey lettering with a new logo that revives the symbols of
a distant millennium, using the Greek letters delta and sigma in lower case combined with a hint of the internet age by echoing the ubiquitous @ symbol.
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Surrey Libraries take Open Learning from DS
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Surrey County Council has awarded a significant new contract to DS, who already provide their
library systems and networked services under a Facilities Management (FM) arrangement.
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Susanne Bray of Surrey Libraries confirming the first Learning Centre order with DS Managing Director, Nigel Pegg |
Surrey has designated Farnham Library to be an Open Learning Centre as part of its commitment to the National
Grid for Learning, and contracted DS to utilise the existing IT infrastructure (already managed by DS) and provide extra facilities to ensure state-of-the-art facilities forstudents.
Distance learners will have full access to library resources, networked CD-ROMs, and printing facilities.
They will also be able to use computer-based training software, provided by the County Council. DS will connect the Centre to the Internet via its own high-performance web server in Nottingham, and supply
its new Internet browser system, DS SafetyNet 2000, to manage website filtering, access to email services, printing and session timing.
DS will integrate a new Microsoft NT server with Surrey's
Wide AreaNetwork and deliver a system that will be fully operational by the startof the new academic year in September.
Susanne Bray of Surrey Libraries confirmed the order with Nigel Pegg, Managing Director of
DS, at the Library +information Show at the NEC in June, saying "This is an exciting venture for us in Surrey. We have had a happy relationship with DS over many years and we're all looking
forward to working in the new Open Learning Centre and making sure that students in Surrey have access to the very best information resources we can provide."
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