National Library of Australia
Kinetica Kinetica
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Kinetica Annual Users Meeting 1999

Wesley Conference Centre, 19 & 20 July 1999


Draft Minutes

CONTENTS

1.

Agenda

2.

Kinetica Annual report

3.

Kinetica Advisory Committee report

4.

Submission from the Federal Libraries Information Network (FLIN

5.

National CJK Service review

AGENDA

A detailed agenda will be distributed on the morning of the meeting.

Monday 19 July 1999
9.00 am Registration
Tea & coffee available in foyer
10.00 am Meeting commences
1.00 pm- 2.00 pm Lunch
5.30 pm Meeting closes
6.00 pm – 8.00 pm Cocktail reception, Sky Lounge, Sydney Tower
Tuesday 20 July 1999
9.00 am Meeting commences
12.15 pm Meeting closes
12.15 pm – 1.30 pm Lunch

Kinetica
Report to the Annual Users Meeting
July 1998 – June 1999

The major event of the past year was the commencement of the transition from ABN to Kinetica. This report will focus on Kinetica.

1. Administration and advisory mechanisms.

1.1 Library restructure.
In November 1998, the National Library was restructured from four programs to six divisions. The Kinetica Division continued some functions of the former Services to Libraries Division, chiefly ABN/Kinetica services and the National Library’s Interlending Services Branch. The Kinetica Division also gained responsibility for the Library’s directory services. It will add management of the Australian Libraries Gateway during 1999/2000.
1.2 Kinetica Steering Committee.
The Kinetica implementation has been guided by the Kinetica Steering Committee, composed of the Director-General, Deputy Director-General, and the Assistant Directors-General, Corporate Services, Information Technology and Kinetica. The Committee has met weekly and provided high level direction to the new service.
1.3 Kinetica Advisory Committee.
The Kinetica Advisory Committee met in July 1998, November 1998 and February 1999. A separate report is included in the agenda papers.
1. 4 Expert Advisory Groups.
Three expert advisory groups were formed during the last year, addressing cataloguing workflow, transfer of ABN cataloguing policies to Kinetica and document delivery. The two cataloguing groups have completed their business. The ABN Subject Headings Review Panel became the expert advisory group on subject headings and continues its work. The Library has been very pleased with the quality of the groups and the flexibility of this method of seeking advice.
1.5 Kinetica User Agreement.
A new user agreement was issued in May 1999. The Kinetica Advisory Committee provided valuable comment on successive drafts of the new agreement
1.6 Charging.
A new charging method was announced in December 1998. Different options to suit particular groups of libraries were devised in response to comments at the 1998 Annual User Meeting. Three methods have been provided: transaction based, concurrent session based, or site licences for large libraries. It was decided to base transaction charging on searching only and abandon output-based charges (eg, for display of result sets, downline loading). The provision and price of the cataloguing client software was amended following user feedback: instead of a one-time fee and annual maintenance charges, copies of the cataloguing client are allocated according to the level of online contribution to the National Bibliographic Database. Extra copies are available for $120 per year.
1.7 Incentives.
A new scheme was devised to recognise contribution to the National Bibliographic Database. A rebate of 15% or 30% is applied to core service charges depending on the level and type of contribution. Batch contribution receives a 15% rebate. This lower rebate reflects the Library’s costs involved in loading batch files, including error correction. A one-time fee of $1000 will be applied to meet costs involved in testing files for batch loading and establishing automated procedures for the receipt and handling of these files.
1.8 State and Territory User Groups, Sectoral Groups.
Kinetica staff have made several visits to state and territory user groups over the last year, including post-implementation visits to Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. These meetings are important sources of advice, and the Kinetica Division plans to make regular visits to user groups. There have also been several meetings with sectorally based groups (eg, specials, theological libraries, cataloguers). Kinetica staff are willing to attend meetings to seek advice and feedback throughout the year.

2. System implementation.

2.1 Development strategy.
Kinetica’s development has been and continues to be influenced by a ‘buy not build’ strategy. Three core products make up the Kinetica service: AMICUS for the National Bibliographic Database and cataloguing services; LibriVision for the KineticaWeb service; and, VDX for the Document Delivery Service. AMICUS and LibriVision have been acquired and implemented through a six year contract with IBM Global Services Australia acting as prime contractor. The owner of the AMICUS and LibriVision products is the ELiAS Company in Belgium. The Library has acquired VDX from its owner, Fretwell-Downing Informatics in Sheffield, England. The Library has prime responsibility for implementation of VDX, but cooperates very closely with the Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee’s LIDDA (Local Interlending and Document Delivery Administration) Project and the National Library of New Zealand to ensure coordinated software development.
2.2 Role of IBM Global Services Australia.
The contract with IBM Global Services Australia commenced in January 1998. The payments cover a wide range of products and services: hardware; systems software; licenses for the applications software (AMICUS and LibriVision); application development (downline loading); implementation services; operations management; and, provision of a technical team onsite at the National Library of Australia. Service levels in the contract cover requirements for high levels of system availability and response times for database searching. IBM GSA’s technical team supports Kinetica Customer Services in providing assistance and advice to libraries. The chief effort during 1998/1999 has been system implementation.
2.3 Role of Fretwell-Downing Informatics.
The Library has a six year contract with Fretwell-Downing Informatics. The contract covers implementation services, software development and application support. The Library has acquired SUN hardware to run VDX for the Kinetica Document Delivery Service.
2.4 Product linkages.
The products used in Kinetica feature modern information and library protocols, supporting the development of systems interoperability. AMICUS complies with the Z39.50 information retrieval protocol, LibriVision is based on the HyperText Transfer Protocol (http for Web Access) and VDX incorporates the ISO 10160/10161 (the ILL Protocol) as well as Z39.50 and http. Through these protocols, Kinetica products are linked and Kinetica is linked to external systems. About 30 libraries are now routinely accessing the National Bibliographic Database from their own Z39.50 compliant local systems and this form of access is both encouraged and expected to grow.
2.5 Internet, Client/Server.
From the outset of Kinetica in 1997 (known then as the Networked Services Project), the Library stated it would adopt the Internet and World Wide Web as its primary access mechanisms. Kinetica has done this, and all customers access Kinetica via the Internet, with the majority using the Web interfaces provided in KineticaWeb and the Kinetica Document Delivery Service. The Kinetica Cataloguing Client (part of the AMICUS Processional Workstation) accesses the AMICUS server through a combination of standard and proprietary protocols.
2.6 System performance.
Moving the Library’s networked services to this new environment is in line with worldwide trends in Internet commerce, but raises new problems related to perception of system performance. Some libraries are still not experiencing satisfactory response times. There are many factors to consider here: system activity at peak periods of the day; Internet performance and bandwidth across Australia; local site factors such as bandwidth, local area network configuration, equipment used, and security policies. Kinetica’s performance from mid-April to mid-May 1999 was adversely affected by network problems. Identifying and solving the source of these problems took some time, but resulted in significant improvements in Kinetica performance. In order to diagnose and solve performance issues affecting local sites, Kinetica appointed a consultant to visit selected sites in Canberra, Melbourne and Perth. Through this, the Library plans to provide libraries with information and tools to assist them overcome problems in access to Kinetica. The Library will continue to give detailed and constant attention to the issue of system performance, both at the National Library and at the sites of customer libraries.
2.7 Databases.
Kinetica was launched with access to three bibliographic databases: the National Bibliographic Database; the National Chinese-Japanese-Korean database; and, the Research Libraries’ Information Network (RLIN) Database. The Library will continue to identify suitable databases for inclusion in Kinetica as secondary sources of bibliographic data.
2.8 Software development.
The National Library is a member of the AMICUS-DOBIS/LIBIS User Group. Andrew Wells represented the Library at its last meeting in Budapest, Hungary in September 1998. The next meeting will take place in Oviedo, Spain in September 1999. This is an important forum for the National Library because it must represent the views of Kinetica’s customers to the software owners and other users of the software. The Library prefers that software developments are incorporated into standard releases of the software

3. Implementation – KineticaWeb and Kinetica Cataloguing Services.

3.1 NBD migration.
Migration of 9 million records and almost 30 million holdings was completed in time for the implementation of the service. This included 'gap loading' of the large number of updates in the final weeks of ABN. All records with holdings, and all Library of Congress records 1994+ were migrated. Following implementation, almost half a million more LC MARC records for music and serials were added, as a resource for libraries performing retrospective cataloguing. Following the data migration, successive audits were conducted to detect any discrepancies in holdings in Kinetica and ABN. Several thousand holdings had failed to migrate, usually due to problems in the bibliographic records. These errors have mostly been corrected. Some outstanding corrupt records are being corrected manually, and users are being notified about the transfer of their holdings. The data migration has been on the critical path throughout the implementation, and has absorbed many resources, but has been most successful.
3.2 Kinetica Cataloguing Client
The Kinetica Cataloguing Client was distributed to libraries in time for installation before the commencement of the two week pilot period. Following implementation, a bug was detected in the authority control module, which placed a heavy load on the system and caused massive slow down when users updated the 040 field. A 'patch' to the client software was distributed to correct the problem. A special user guide (no. 7) was issued to assist cataloguers to work around the idiosyncrasies and bugs in the client software, to create valid USMARC records. This document has been referred to the product owner ELiAS for input into future upgrades of the client software. Cataloguers were very quick to learn the new system, and it has been well received in libraries which enjoy good Internet connections. The most popular aspect of the software is its ease of use. The most disliked aspect of the software is the treatment of name/title headings. The highly interactive nature of the client/server architecture has not been popular in libraries with poor Internet connections.
3.3 KineticaWeb.
The KineticaWeb service became available in pilot mode on 17 March, four weeks before implementation on 12 April. Usage was extremely heavy during the pilot, and this uncovered a problem with session management, which prevented more than a few hundred users from logging onto the system at the same time. Following correction of this problem, usage of the service continued to grow. In response to energetic feedback from users, KineticaWeb has been enhanced progressively to provide simpler and more concise screen displays, easier navigation between screens, and more convenient access to the most used buttons for searching and editing holdings. A current problem with premature timeouts is being investigated as a high priority.
3.4 Batch*Link.
Following implementation of the online cataloguing system, development of the new Batch*Link service commenced. Specifications for the format of uploaded data were distributed for comment to system vendors and library services in 1998, and were subsequently published on the web.
Libraries which update their holdings in batch mode have expressed interest in using a non MARC format for reporting holdings only, and a draft format was published for consultation.
Planning was undertaken for a new gateway service, to be implemented in Spring 1999, to automatically receive, identify and convert MARC files from contributing libraries and load them to the NBD. This is an essential pre-requisite to regular data loads from a large number of libraries. Priorities were established for the testing of batch loading from Australian libraries. Highest priority would be given to those data files which offer the greatest value to other libraries for interlibrary document supply and shared cataloguing. The University of Queensland which regularly contributes a high proportion of new unique locations, was selected for the first test.
Priority has also been given to working with library system vendors or users groups, to test those aspects of batch loading which will be common to all libraries which use that system. This makes it possible to explore ways to reduce development costs to libraries, for example by accepting records in their raw export format, and constructing holdings statements by program at the National Library. Highest priority has been assigned to working with the Australian Innovative Users Group, which represents 20 state and university libraries. Testing with Dynix is expected to be conducted between August and October. Voyager has also been identified as a system with high priority library collections for the NBD.
Library suppliers are also a source of batch loaded records, and preliminary contact has been made with Askews, Coutts, DA Information Services, Masons Book Centre, and YBP. Priorities for loading data from these sources will be determined on the basis of the value of the data to national resource sharing.
3.5 Downline loading.
The downline loading service was a significant development task in the Kinetica project. Following some early teething problems, the Kinetica downline loading service has returned to former service levels. The popular MARC*Link service, which delivers MARC records via FTP, is continuing to grow and attract new users. Early problems included slow delivery of MARC records, and the need for libraries to review their user registration and downline loading profiles to support their downline loading activity in Kinetica. These problems were overcome.
3.6 The real life experience
In the early weeks after implementation, searching activity was very high, and users explored the offerings of the CJK and RLIN databases. Many users have expressed delight with the searching power of KineticaWeb, and its ease of use for copy cataloguing.
The experience of libraries using Kinetica is extremely varied. Libraries with fast Internet connections have generally welcomed the product, and have continued their operations with minimal disruption. However, libraries with slow Internet connections have suffered slow response time and delays in processing.
Users have made many useful suggestions for improvements to the software, with multiple requests for the most desired improvements. We have welcomed these suggestions and they have influenced the delivery of improvements to KineticaWeb. The Library has also taken account of these suggestions in communicating its priorities for the future development of the Cataloguing Client. Suggestions from users will be compiled and published on the web. \
3.7 Changing nature of work.
The implementation of Kinetica has taken place at a time when many Australian libraries are undertaking major change to the delivery of technical services. For many libraries, this means a transition from online interactive cataloguing, to batch loading of their records and holdings, sometimes via a third party. The Kinetica project was faced with the need to develop and implement two complementary modes of contribution. A decision was made to focus firstly on the implementation of the online cataloguing client, with batch loading to follow. Some libraries, especially those outsourcing technical services, have discontinued online cataloguing on Kinetica, in anticipation of the implementation of batch loading.
Many libraries have taken the opportunity to review their cataloguing workflows and adapt them to the features of the new system. The implementation of Kinetica has prompted many library staff to extend their familiarity with the features of Windows and the World Wide Web.

4. Implementation – Kinetica Document Delivery Service
VDX versions. The Kinetica Document Delivery (KDD) Service uses the VDX (Virtual Document eXchange) software developed by Fretwell-Downing. Customer libraries access the system via a ‘Web Admin Client’ using Netscape or Internet Explorer. Kinetica is using version 2.1 of the VDX database and version 1.03 of the Web Admin Client.
4.1 Relationship with NLNZ, LIDDA.
The National Library of New Zealand (NLNZ) is using the same versions of the software for its Te Puna Interloan service. VDX is being considerably redeveloped for the next version, 2.2, which will be used for the AVCC’s LIDDA (Local Interlending and Document Delivery Administration) project. This version, due for release early next year, is also expected to provide enhanced functionality for the National Libraries. The National Library of Australia has been cooperating closely with both NLNZ and LIDDA to ensure that the VDX product meets the requirements of all of us.
4.2 ILL Payments RFT.
The Library has issued a Request for Tender seeking a contractor to provide and operate a national electronic billing and payment service that performs as the Kinetica Document Delivery Payment Service. The contractor will issue monthly account statements and summary transaction statements to payments service users using data supplied from the Kinetica Document Delivery system. The contractor will also collect charges from and pay monies due to payments service users. A startup period has been allowed so that the first payment to users that have accumulated a net credit balance will be made three months after commencement of the payments service. Tenders close on 7 July 1999.
4.3 Summary of progress.
The current version of the Web Admin client was installed at the end of March. The Kinetica Training Agents received training in the first half of April and were thereafter given access to the test system so that they could prepare their courses and practice using the system. Testing took place during April and May, and on 25 May trainers were advised of a revised start date for user training of 15 June. A separate system environment for training was set up and user training officially began on 15 June although some users were trained before this.
The proposed go live date at the time of writing is 12 July. This date is being reviewed in the week beginning 28 June in the light of training experience and problems still waiting to be resolved.
4.4 ILRS Directory.
A new edition of the Interlibrary Resource Sharing Directory will be published later in 1999.

5. Customer Services

5.1 Presentations and marketing.
Two series of national presentations were held between November and February for ABN customers. Kinetica was demonstrated at major conferences, notably the ALIA Biennial Conference in Adelaide in October 1998 and the Information Online and On Disc Conference in Sydney in January 1999.
5.2 Help Desk.
The Help Desk was very busy during the first two months of the implementation, answering three times the usual number of calls. An average of 675 calls each week were answered between March 22 and May 24. Another busy period is expected when the Document Delivery Service is launched.
5.3 Kinetica email, Kinetica-L, Kinetica home page.
A similar level of assistance was provided through messages sent to the Kinetica email box. Comments and problems assist the Kinetica Division to diagnose problems and establish priorities for system changes and development. Kinetica-L has been very useful for purposes related to the implementation and the services. The National Library and Kinetica customers have used it to disseminate information and share expertise. In May, a decision was taken to moderate the list to ensure postings to it were in keeping with its purpose of service to customers. Very few messages have been rejected, while some have been summarised into one posting when messages were on the same topic. The Kinetica home page (index.html) was reorganised in February and provides information about policy and services.
5.4 Training and training agents.
Kinetica has over 30 training agents in all states and territories. Over 250 courses were conducted by the Kinetica Training Agents between March and June. Their contribution to the implementation of Kinetica was and continues to be of critical importance.
5.5 KineticaWeb online tutorial.
An online interactive tutorial for KineticaWeb is in development. Demonstration of a prototype is planned for the Annual User Meeting, leading to launch of the product in a few months. This will assist new users to teach themselves KineticaWeb and give current users the ability to refresh their skills.
5.6 Documentation.
Three manuals, three course guides and seven user guides were produced for Kinetica. Documents have been made available in printed form and via the Web as PDF and Word ’97 versions.

6. System activity.

6.1 Availability.
System availability has been 99% for ABN. Kinetica has had satisfactory levels of system availability, although users experienced difficulties in logging on, particularly in the first weeks of service. We expect to provide high levels of system availability in the coming year.
6.2 NBD contribution.
The quantity of original cataloguing contributed online has increased steadily since implementation. Since mid-May the weekly average of original records contributed online has been the same as the ABN average from July 1998 to March 1999. Holdings added online have increased steadily, and by mid-June reached 80% of the ABN averages from July 1998 to March 1999. The contribution of holdings will increase further once the Batch*Link service is in operation.
6.3 Searching.
The number of searches on the Kinetica Core Databases shows growing and high levels of use. RLIN use has stabilised, while searching of the NBD is still growing. It will increase further when ABN is decommissioned and the Kinetica Document Delivery Service commences. The Document Delivery Service will be linked to the NBD Search Database for retrieval of bibliographic data and locations.

7. Relationships with other organisations.

7.1 Research Libraries Group.
The Research Libraries’ Group’s RLIN database was made available when Kinetica was launched. Libraries have made increasing use of the service, transferring records to the National Bibliographic Database or to their local systems. Conditions for use of the RLIN database are contained in the Kinetica User Agreement.
7.2 OCLC.
The National Library and OCLC have enhanced their cooperation with the launch of Kinetica, in collaboration with OCLC’s agent in Australia, DA Information Services. The Library is keen to develop a network-to-network relationship, and has commenced with data exchange relationships. To facilitate this, OCLC offered a one-time reduction in its profiling fee from $US350 to $US100 for new members. Data added to OCLC’s WorldCat by Kinetica libraries will be periodically extracted and added to the National Bibliographic Database for access and use by other Kinetica libraries.
7.3 ILANET.
ILANET and Kinetica have agreed to provide search only access to ILANET customers. These customers are typically small libraries and organisations who require casual access to the Kinetica databases. The National Library is pleased to have this arrangement with the State Library of New South Wales, and to be able to provide Kinetica’s services to a wider range of users.
7.4 Technical Services’ agents.
The Library continues to negotiate arrangements with providers of technical services to libraries.
7.5 System Vendors.
Relationships with local system vendors are maintained through meetings and visits to vendors’ user group meetings. During 1998/1999, specifications for the Batch*Link service were issued to system vendors. Another major activity with this group was testing of external Z39.50 access to the National Bibliographic Database.

8. Key actions 1999/2000

8.1 System performance and access.
The Library will continue to pursue actions which improve response times for customer libraries. Benchmark response times will be developed and published. It is important for customers to communicate their experiences to Kinetica.
8.2 Kinetica Cataloguing Client releases.
A new version of the Kinetica Cataloguing Client is due for release in September 1999. The upgrade will be released via the Internet. Users of the cataloguing client software can expect two upgrades of the client software each year.
8.3 Batch*Link.
In 1999/2000, the development and consolidation of the Batch*Link service will be achieved. The Kinetica Division is working closely with the Library’s IT Division to develop this service.
8.4 KineticaWeb.
The KineticaWeb interface will be enhanced as possible to better meet users’ requirements. The Library is aware of throughput and workflow issues related to KineticaWeb. An online tutorial for KineticaWeb will be launched early in the 1999/2000 year.
8.5 End User Access.
End user access to the National Bibliographic Database is a long held goal of the National Library. Trials in Canberra region libraries will commence with the National Library in July 1999. Access to the NBD through local systems will be included in this trial.
8.6 Reference use of Kinetica.
An expert advisory group on the use of Kinetica by reference librarians will be established early in 1999/2000. This group will investigate and report on this use, and identify potential enhancements to better meet the needs of this user group.
8.7 KineticaWeb link to Kinetica Document Delivery Service.
A facility to send an interlibrary loan request from KineticaWeb to the VDX software will be developed this year.
8.8 NBD maintenance.
Major data loads during the year included MARC records purchased with Australian Research Council funding for European Microform Collections. Over 145,000 MARC records were loaded for 28 microform collections, with holdings statements for all Australian locations. Other major data loads during the year were a 'catch up' of over 1.3 million holdings from UNILINC, and smaller loads from La Trobe University, the University of Adelaide and Hurstville City Library. The ISBN Agency contributed 2,666 MARC records during the year.
Global holdings changes were conducted for over one hundred libraries, mostly in preparation for their migration to Kinetica. Some of these global changes were very complex, and this work proceeded through most of the year.
The Australian extension to Library of Congress subject headings, which was heavily resourced in the previous two years, marked time this year during the Kinetica implementation. However, about 30 Australian proposals for new subject headings were sent to the Library of Congress, and most of these have been approved.
8.9 Z39.50 Update.
Development and testing of a service to enable update of holdings on the National Bibliographic Database by local systems using Z39.50 Update will commence this year. This service will only be available to libraries with system complying to the Z39.50 Extended Services.
8.10 National Bibliography.
The Kinetica version of the Australian National Bibliography will be developed. Until then, Recent Australian Publications will continue to be made available.
8.11 Access for the Blind and Visually Disabled.
Work has begun to ensure the Web interfaces used in Kinetica comply with the accessibility guidelines issued by the World Wide Web Consortium.

Kinetica Advisory Comittee
Report for the 1999 Annual Users Meeting

Membership

Appointed members:

Marian Bate (Council of Australian University Librarians)**
Jan Fullerton (National Library of Australia)
Kaye Hill (Council of Australian State Libraries)**
Helen Livingston (Chairperson) (Council of Australian University Librarians)*
Sherrey Quinn (special libraries)**
David Toll (National Library of Australia)
Meredith Wallace (public libraries)**

Elected members:

Sally Anderson*
Philip Keane**
Jan Maslen*

*

Term expires 31 December 1999

**

Term expires 30 June 2001

Kaye Hill replaced Susan Ball as the Council of Australian State Libraries’ representative at the November meeting.

Meetings

The Kinetica Advisory Committee met three times during the last year: July 21 and 23, 1998; November 12-13, 1998; 26 February 1999. This report highlights the main business of the Kinetica Advisory Committee over the last year. Detailed recommendations are contained in the Appendix. Selected papers and recommendations of the Advisory Committee are available at: kacpapers.html

Charging policy

The Advisory Committee provided comment on the Library’s charging proposals at the July and November meetings. Charging policy was the major item discussed at these meetings. Specific advice covered charging methods for small libraries, incentives for contribution to the National Bibliographic Database, charging options, use of Kinetica by commercial organisations and minimum fees.

Implementation

At each meeting, a detailed report on the progress of the Kinetica implementation was provided by the National Library. The Advisory Committee has provided feedback from users during all stages of the implementation. Several members have also attended user group meetings in their home states throughout the year.

Expert advisory groups

The Advisory Committee has encouraged the formation of expert advisory groups. In the case of the cataloguing workflow group, the Committee advised the National Library to develop and promulgate good practice guidelines for use of the Kinetica system. The Kinetica Division subsequently produced a document on cataloguing workflow (see workflow.html). The Committee endorsed the formation of an expert advisory group for document delivery and the continuation of a group working on subject headings.

Kinetica User Agreement

The Committee provided valuable advice on several drafts of the Kinetica User Agreement. Much of this work was carried out by email. This was a major contribution to the high level of acceptance by users of the terms and conditions in this agreement.

Business plan

The business plan and future strategies for Kinetica will be the chief item of business at the Committee’s November 1999 meeting.

Appendix

Recommendations 1998/1999

KAC/1998/REC/1
The Kinetica Advisory Committee discussed charging options for Kinetica, and requested that the use of concurrent user sessions be investigated as a possible option for charging for use of Kinetica in 1999/2000.
KAC/1998/REC/2
The Committee requested the National Library to investigate methods of charging for use of Kinetica which would not result in disadvantage to small libraries.
KAC/1998/REC/3
The Committee requested the National Library to develop an incentive scheme to encourage libraries to contribute to the primary purpose of Kinetica, support for resource sharing among libraries.
KAC/1998/REC/4
The Committee endorses the principle of setting up Expert Advisory Groups with appointed membership, as appropriate.
KAC/1998/REC/5
The Committee endorses the proposal to convene two expert advisory groups: one to replace the Subject Headings Review Panel and one to consider Cataloguing Workflow issues in Kinetica.
KAC/1998/REC/6
The Committee recommends to the Director-General that the National Library also convene an expert advisory group to consider Kinetica document delivery issues.
KAC/1998/REC/7
The Committee recommends to the Director-General that the 1999 Annual Users Meeting be held in Sydney.
KAC/1998/REC/8
The Kinetica Advisory Committee recommends that the core Kinetica services be
  • Searching the NBD;
  • Daily consumption of MARC records;
  • and gateway access, including to CJK and RLIN databases.
KAC/1998/REC/9
The Kinetica Advisory Committee recommends that the charging model adopted for access to Kinetica core services provide a number of options, including:
  • A transaction-based charge;
  • A subscription charge based on the number of concurrent user sessions;
  • Negotiated site licences; and
  • Combinations of the above three options.
KAC/1998/REC/10
The Kinetica Advisory Committee recommends that the following items be charged separately and not covered by the charge for Kinetica’s core services:
  • UnCover Australia
  • Interlibrary Loans Payment Service
  • CD-ROM
  • MARC records where the number of MARC records in a file is greater than 2,000
  • Ariel software
  • Training courses
  • Documentation
  • Joining
  • Upline loading registration
KAC/1998/REC/11
The Kinetica Advisory Committee recommends an annual subscription to all Australian records be offered, with no redistribution rights, and that rates for retrospective files and large batches be negotiated separately.
KAC/1998/REC/12
The Kinetica Advisory Committee recommends that there be a charge for resupply of Kinetica bibliographic records. This does not preclude reuse of bibliographic records within the original purchaser’s library system.
KAC/1998/REC/13
The Kinetica Advisory Committee endorses a minimum monthly charge for use of Kinetica services.
KAC/1998/REC/14
The Kinetica Advisory Committee recommends that the incentive scheme be a percentage rebate based on the level of a Kinetica customer library’s bibliographic data contribution and the level at which it meets the following criteria:
  • in its Kinetica Agreement, the customer commits to contributing all of its library holdings to the NBD;
  • in its Kinetica Agreement, the customer commits to contributing original cataloguing for all Australian materials not found on the NBD;
  • the timeliness of contribution of holdings and original cataloguing; and
  • the quality of the holdings and original cataloguing data contributed.
KAC/1998/REC/15
The Kinetica Advisory Committee recommends that provision of the Kinetica cataloguing client be part of the incentive scheme, with the number of copies allocated reflecting the level of bibliographic data contribution.
KAC/1998/REC/16
The Kinetica Advisory Committee recommends that the Expert Advisory Group on Cataloguing Workflows develop and promulgate good practice guidelines for efficient use of the Kinetica system
KAC/1999/REC/1
The Kinetica Advisory Committee recommended that a revised copy of the user agreement be sent by email to members within five days with a view to adoption by the National Library of Australia.

Connecting to Kinetica using the Kinetica Client
Submission from the Federal Libraries Information Network (FLIN)

This paper addresses two issues. The first concerns the capability of a small, yet significant group of libraries, to effectively interface with Kinetica via the Kinetica Client software. The second concerns itself with the future development of the Kinetica cataloguing product.

Introduction

The security of internal computing networks and the data which reside on them has always been a concern of many federal government departments and agencies. The basis of this concern in some instances pertains to the realisation that citizens will not willingly provide information to the government unless their privacy is protected. In other instances networks contain information of importance to the security of the nation.

The advent of the internet has opened up opportunities for the wider sharing of information but it has also opened up new channels of attack on computer networks. Especially networks which are well integrated and operate in a distributed environment. It is within this environment, where caution takes precedence over risk, that many FLIN libraries operate.

The Problem

Late last year the National Library sought an opinion on the secureness of its internet based communications strategy for Kinetica from the Australian Defence Force's Defence Signals Directorate (DSD) . Within the federal government DSD is an acknowledged source of advice on internet security matters and DSD approval of a firewall implementation is the only means by which many government departments and agencies have implemented internet access.

FLIN had urged the National Library to seek DSD advice as concerns had been expressed by FLIN members about Kinetica's use of proprietary protocols for the transmission of data across the internet. Pure internet transactions (ie searching at the http level) were viewed as less of a threat.

In November DSD advice confirmed that a threat existed in the use of proprietary protocols over the internet and placed the onus on departmental IT Security Managers to make the decision on whether to allow their networks to be connected to Kinetica. Needless to say many departments and agencies have not been prepared to act against DSD advice and have prohibited connection via the Kinetica Client over the internet.

In some instances the situation has been further complicated by the outsourcing of government technology support. A number of FLIN libraries have been asked to fund the complete costs of implementing a secure connection from their networks.

The result is that a number of FLIN libraries cannot now directly connect to Kinetica using the Kinetica Client software. Standalone solutions have had to be implemented where previously connections directly from their networks to ABN had been in place. In many instances the only solution appears to be contribution of records by batch with its attendant registration fee cost and associated time delays.

The effect on workflow in affected FLIN member libraries has been significant. A number of libraries which previously contributed records for quite unique material to the NBD have found this capability compromised. At previous ABN Annual Users Meetings the role that federal government libraries have played in creating the record of Australian government publishing has been highlighted a number of times. FLIN believes this is now under threat.

Where to from here?

The major problem facing federal government libraries results from the Kinetica Cataloguing Client's use of proprietary communications protocols to transmit data across the internet. It does not pertain to the use of the internet per se. Many DSD certified firewalls allow connection to internet based applications using standard internet protocols and web browsers. In this instance IT Network Security managers, because of the wide application of the standard protocols, are prepared to bear the cost of protection. The overwhelming requirement for access to the internet in this instance justifies the cost of protection and the provision of access.

This is in keeping with the general trend in internet based services which emphasises the development of applications based around web-browsers in preference to proprietary solutions.

Kinetica has already demonstrated its commitment to support of such a strategy in its implementation of the web based search and holdings update features of Kinetica WEB and in the development of the web-based ILL module.

The Solution?

The best and most cost effective long-term solution for federal government libraries is for the National Library to redevelop the current Kinetica Cataloguing Client software with standards based web browser software which provides equivalent, or at least partial functionality, to that contained in the Kinetica Cataloguing Client. This solution removes the need for transmitting proprietary protocols through an agency's firewall. It also benefits all Kinetica member libraries as the need to distribute client software to libraries is avoided, saving time and the cost of installing and maintaining software on client workstations.

Alternatively, the National Library should acknowledge the disincentive that the present charging regime is exerting on libraries which are denied the option of cataloguing online via the Kinetica Client :

1. The $1,000 registration fee for batch loading. The fee should be waived in such circumstances ; and

2. The inability to take full advantage of the Contributor's Rebate Scheme. By default libraries become offline partial contributor's with a 15% discount rather than the full contributor's 30% discount because they have no choice. An additional "half-way" category should be offered in such circumstances.

Dale Chatwin
Convenor
Federal Libraries Information Network
24 June 1999