A LIBRARIAN’S GUIDE TO LAN TECHN1OLOGY Taken from an article by Michael Brundin, Michael Brundin, School of Library and Information Studies, University of Alberta

Star Topography

Define a LAN Local Area Network Local Area Network A group of computers that are connected together in a certain area A group of computers that are connected together in a certain area Vary in size Vary in size

Ring Topography

Wireless Network

Wired Network

Library Operations A library’s integrated automated system can be connected to the LAN A library’s integrated automated system can be connected to the LAN Printing and integration Printing and integration

Bus Topography

Online Public Access Catalogs OPAC stations can be networked OPAC stations can be networked Updates or releases and maintenance can be accomplished through the LAN Updates or releases and maintenance can be accomplished through the LAN

CD-ROM’s and Databases CD-ROM servers that are networked CD-ROM servers that are networked CD-ROMs networked through a file server CD-ROMs networked through a file server Growing trend to move away from CD- ROMs and instead provide access to same information using gateway servers (Internet server) on the LAN to connect to vendors’ remote databases Growing trend to move away from CD- ROMs and instead provide access to same information using gateway servers (Internet server) on the LAN to connect to vendors’ remote databases

Library Network Operations— How are LANS Utilized? Principal use was to facilitate resource sharing and data sharing. Principal use was to facilitate resource sharing and data sharing. Lower the costs of labor-intensive library operations Lower the costs of labor-intensive library operations Streamline library services Streamline library services Examples of library network operations: Circulation Acquisitions Cataloging Reference Serials control Interlibrary loan OPAC Patron access to CD-Rom products and databases Patron access to remote information resources on the Internet.

Internet Access Offer remote access to full-text databases via Internet Offer remote access to full-text databases via Internet Full access to World Wide Web Full access to World Wide Web privileges privileges Internet provided through OPAC stations connected to the LAN Internet provided through OPAC stations connected to the LAN