The search committee has recommended and the State Librarian has concurred with the hiring of Janet Eklund of the Warrenville, Illinois, Public Library to serve as the State Library's Administrator of Library Operations. Janet will begin her duties on April 1. Michael York feels very positive about this appointment and feels quite confident that Janet will do an excellent job as the administrator.

The deadline for the public library annual report is March 15. Packets were sent December 1. Any questions should be directed to John Barrett at 1-800-499-1232 x4/603-271-2865 or jbarrett@library.state.nh.us.

The spring 2000 catalog of free library courses at the State Library has been distributed to every library, as well as anyone who has taken any workshops in the past. Several Internet and NHAIS courses will be offered at the State Library's North Country Office in Lancaster, in addition to a full range of offerings at our Concord classroom. For additional copies, contact the Electronic and Government Information Services Section at 1-800-499-1232 x5/603-271-2143. The catalog can also be found online at http://www.state.nh.us/nhsl/training.

Now that you have received your Directory of New Hampshire Libraries 2000, if there are any changes in email/website addresses, personnel, phone/fax numbers, library hours, etc., please send them to Darlene Reinhard, darlene@library.state.nh.us, as soon as possible.

Adding holdings to NHU-PAC is a large part of what Network Services does. Deleting holdings for discards is something each library should be keeping up with. This will keep you from receiving requests for books you no longer have. You can delete your holdings in the ILL module as follows: from the ILL menu, choose G (holdings maintenance) and enter the title you wish to process. Choose a number from the list that appears. Choose S (select) to see whether your library has a holding on that record; if it doesn't, enter to return to the list and look at another record. When you've selected the one with your tag, type 1 enter (assuming that there's only one tag listed for your library), then enter at the field prompt and choose D (delete). Confirm by typing Y when prompted to do so. Questions? Call Network Services at 1-800-499-1232 x3/603-271-2141 or email David Harris, dharris@library.state.nh.us.

If your library has its own email address separate from the NHAIS system, consider having your NHAIS mail sent to that address. This will help the system in two ways: mailbox space on the Lilac server is freed up, and you don't have to tie up a NHAIS connection just to read your mail. You can still send messages from within NHAIS, but any replies will be forwarded to your new address. Most cooperatives still use distribution lists that require messages to be sent from within the NHAIS email system. Messages to all NHAIS libraries can be sent from outside addresses to nhais-l@webster.state.nh.us. To have your mail forwarded, contact David Harris with your library name, HSA code, library cooperative, and new address - dharris@library.state.nh.us from outside addresses or dharris from NHAIS addresses.

If you're using the holdings maintenance feature of the NHAIS ILL module to add your holdings to the NHU-PAC, thank you! Also, Network Services would like a periodic report of the number of records you've tagged. Email Mary Martin, mmartin@library.state.nh.us, or send a note to her on the van.

In an effort to deal with repeated problems with overnight processing of ILL reserves, Network Services has adjusted the processing times. Whereas in the past the NHU-PAC was shut down at 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday, the system will now go down at 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and return to service at 5 a.m. Note that reserves placed Saturday, Sunday, and Monday will not be processed until Monday night.

There are now 292 libraries on the NHAIS ILL list. If you're missing a whole bunch, contact David Harris, dharris@library.state.nh.us, about updating your search string. To add libraries to your search string: from the NHAIS ILL menu, choose H (library profile), A (modify), L (library search string), A (add), and type in the 4-character code. It will appear at the end of the list; use M (move) to rearrange.

It can be tedious to weed out the large print editions from the rest when doing NHU-PAC searches for popular titles...unless you use keyword or advanced search features. Looking for 'Choke' by Stuart Woods yields 5 hits to look through, but choosing a keyword search (K on the search menu) and typing in 'choke woods large print' takes you right to the record you're looking for. If you have a patron interested in large print mysteries but not too choosy about authors, a keyword search for 'large print mystery' would be cut off after the first 500 hits. You can narrow the search further by choosing advanced search (E): typing 'find kw large print mystery and pd gt 1992' will bring up a list of all large print mysteries with a publication date after 1992. While you're in advanced search, see how many Spanish-language copies of 'The Cat in the Hat' are available: type 'find ti cat hat and la spa'!

l business related to the Last Copy Center should be directed to Donna Gilbreth, 1-800-499-1232 x 1/603-271-3302 or gilbreth@library.state.nh.us. Since 1996, the Last Copy Center (aka the NH Statewide Depository) has been accepting adult fiction books that represent the last available copies of titles that should be available within the state for patron use. More than 4,000 titles are currently available through the NHAIS ILL system.

The State Library has made arrangements with the H. W. Wilson Company to provide access to the online database LIBRARY LITERATURE & INFORMATION SCIENCE Full Text. This acclaimed resource will be available to staff working in NH libraries during a FREE Trial Period.

This unique file comprises English and foreign-language periodicals, selected state journals, monographs, conference proceedings, and more. 88 journals in full text -- with indexing of more than 290 journals and more than 6,000 monographs -- are available to help you stay informed on library trends and issues. Explore a wide range of library and information science topics, including: automation, cataloging, censorship, copyright legislation, library equipment and supplies, preservation of materials, and online searching.

You can access LIBRARY LITERATURE & INFORMATION SCIENCE on the Internet. Log in at hwwilsonweb.com. At User Name type in: HICOBUAM. The Password is: STNH13802.

To subscribe to NHAIS-L, send a message to nhais-l-subscribe@webster.state.nh.us. The list will send a message to acknowledge your request and ask for confirmation of your subscription. Use the reply function in your mail program to confirm. To unsubscribe from NHAIS-L, send a message to nhais-l-unsubscribe@webster.state.nh.us. The list will send a message to acknowledge your request and ask for confirmation of your subscription. Use the reply function in your mail program to confirm. To post a message to NHAIS-L for everyone to read and comment on, send a message to nhais-l@webster.state.nh.us. These instructions will also work for the other listservs on Webster (CHILIS-L, DB-L, and READS-L), using the designation for the other database in place of nhais-l in your command.

Network Services is slowly catching up on the backlog of work that built up before Mary Martin joined their staff. In particular, processing of material submitted on floppy disks that was running nearly 3 months behind is now down to below 1 month in most cases. Requests for catalog cards have a 3-4 week turnaround at this time. Network Services staff is working to improve this, and you might be asked to play a part too. If the material you're sending is more time-consuming than usual to process, you may receive a letter suggesting ways you can help make the processing more efficient. A couple of changes you may have noticed: Network Services has tried to add records for new titles to the NHU-PAC faster than in the past. This should help you to find your materials on Galaxy the first time you look. Also, the State Prison is using a new printer and is able to produce better-looking cards.

Network Services often comes across examples of information added through holdings maintenance that turns up in the wrong 852 subfields on NHU-PAC records. Here's where things belong:

Date: please don't enter any information here
Prestamp: FIC, F, J, JUV, E, ER, LP, REF, etc.
Classification: a Dewey number or B or BIO in place of 92
Main Entry: whatever cutter device you use
Year: use to designate year on serial records or volume when you have some but not all items in a record for a multi-volume set
Post-stamp: any information that follows the cutter - LP, PB, OVERSIZE, etc.

Printing is dependent on the telnet program used. If you use MS Telnet (common with Win95), you cannot print. If you use Hyperterm (common with Win98), printing is allowed. In addition, you can install and use other programs, e.g., NetTerm, which also allow printing. Whether you can print or not is part of the particular program used. It is easier in the long run to install/use another program that allows printing rather than copy to Word and print from there.

If you are unable to locate an answer to a patron's question using the resources in your library, please consider calling the Reference Desk at the State Library for assistance. The State Library may have some resources that are not available in your library that may have the answer to your question.

The State Library's collection is strong in United States history and biography, public policy, and library science. Its greatest strength is New Hampshire material. From current events to history and from laws and administrative rules to the arts, an attempt is made to acquire all published material on New Hampshire. Reference material is acquired in all subject areas.

Reference librarians will attempt to answer any question on any topic. If the resources to answer a question are not available at the State Library, the reference librarian may refer you to a resource available elsewhere.

Reference librarians may also be able to help you in searching the statewide online union catalog, FirstSearch, and other resources available on the Internet. If you are experiencing difficulty in locating specific information from an online resource, consider calling the Reference Desk at the State Library for help.

You may call the Reference Desk at the State Library Monday through Friday, from 8am to 4:30pm, using the toll free number for libraries (1-800-499-1232, and press 1). During the times the State Library is not open, you may submit your question via e-mail. On the Internet, go to the State Library's homepage (http://www.state.nh.us/nhsl) and click on "Ask a New Hampshire Reference Question." Please note that as a library you do not have to restrict your question to a New Hampshire topic.

If you have any questions, comments, or criticisms on the reference services provided by the State Library, please contact John McCormick, Supervisor of Reference and Information Services, at 603-271-2060 or mccormick@library.state.nh.us.

The legislature has selected West Publishing to publish the official version of the Revised Statutes Annotated. The contract with Lexis expired on 12/31/99. West will begin publishing the Advanced Legislative Services Packet, the supplement, and replacement volumes shortly. As of February 2000, they will also be able to replace lost/damaged/missing volumes from the current set. Libraries will not receive automatic subscription notification from West Publishing. Standing orders with Lexis will not transfer to West. To continue to receive the official version of the statutes, you must contact West Publishing at 1-800-762-5272. If you have any questions about this contract, contact Carol Holahan, Director of Legislative Services, at 603-271-3432.

The vendor has been selected for the statewide database project. The evaluation committee recommended that the State Library license the ProQuest products from Bell & Howell. The contract still must be approved by Governor and Council before it takes effect.

A revised edition of the Van Delivery Service Directory, which includes instructions on how to use the service, has been distributed to all libraries receiving van service. If you haven't received a copy, contact Diana DeCota, ddecota@library.state.nh.us. An online version of the directory will be available in the near future.

Computers and the Internet have become a gateway to independence for many people with disabilities. Can't get out? Doesn't matter - you can get current news, buy new clothes, tour cities, meet new people, adopt a virtual pet. You can download books - free, if in the public domain, and for a fee if they're still covered by copyright. Unfortunately, many of these opportunities are closed to people with visual handicaps because the two best-known browsers, Netscape and Explorer, do not do a good job of enlargement, or of turning pictures into code that can be run through speech-generation software.

Here are some of the browsers I pulled from the Web that might be useful for the visually impaired:

IBM's Home Page Reader, which works with Netscape and needs a separate sound card and modem - but is multilingual. ($149.00) www.austin.ibm.com/sns/hpr.html

SimplyWeb98, runs on Internet Explorer 3.02, 4.01 or 5. (Free) www.econointl.com/sw/

MultiWeb has a large-print option as well as speech. (Free) http://mis.deakin.edu.au/multiweb/

Opera is the third most popular graphical browser - no speech output, but many configuration options, including the ability to disable sites from spawning new browser windows. It's downloadable shareware. ($35.00) www.opera.com/

And the reputed Cadillac of the specialized browser world, JAWS for Windows, which retails for about $795.00 The current version includes a synthesizer speaking seven languages, needs a quality sound card, and installs from a CD. Developed by Henter-Joyce. www.hj.com

If you are aiming to make your library's computer services completely accessible, you'll want to take a look at Dan Tobias' computer-browser reviews at www.dantobias.com/webtips/brand-x.html. He'll point you to a variety of browsers, including free talking web browsers, low-cost shareware enlarging browsers, and high-cost "cadillac" browsers that do everything but make the coffee. Blunt reviews, too! Unfortunately, he doesn't mention the high-powered competitors to JAWSfW, so let me.

Window-Eyes is $595. There is a download demo available at www.frontiercomputing.on.ca/p-windoweyes.html

Window Bridge 2000 is $795 + shipping from Syntha-Voice. Their site is www.synthavoice.on.ca

WinVision 97 is one of many interesting products from Artic Technology. The version with both speech and magnification costs $790. There is a 40-minute downloadable demo at www.artictech.com/whywv97.htm and $19.95 will buy you a 30-day trial with all manuals. Should you then purchase, the fee is deducted from the purchase price.

Many of the companies reviewed by Dan will let you have a free 30-day demo.

In case you're wondering why you should even consider specialized browsers - well, first of all, many of us are getting older. Computer screens and bifocals do not work together very well, and a choice of image sizes can be a real help. Next are the community education aspects: your demonstrations and training sessions will be more easily viewed, and there are people who would never think about purchasing a computer until they actually saw features they could use. Then there's the library principle of the thing - Service for all.