EFTS Update: News, News, News!
EFTS Advisory Committee
EFTS recently established an Advisory Committee whose purpose is to give EFTS staff feedback on how EFTS is functioning and to recommend future improvements and enhancements. The Advisory Committee has three representatives from each region: from a resource library, a primary access library, and the regional medical library. The representatives from the Pacific Southwest Region are: Ellen Aaronson, West Hills Hospital and Medical Center; Christine Dechoretz, University of California, Davis; and Julie Kwan, PSRML. The Advisory Committee also includes all EFTS, NLM, and Canadian personnel; the complete roster will be posted on the EFTS web site. If you have any comments for the EFTS Advisory Committee, you may forward them to PSR's representatives:
Ellen Aaronson bradhill@charter.net
Christine Dechoretz cadechoretz@ucdavis.edu
Julie Kwan jkkwan@library.ucla.edu
New EFTS web-based system under development
EFTS has hired a software company, Entegram, to rewrite EFTS software and convert it to a web based system. This is a very important development which is intended to improve the EFTS system significantly. EFTS expects the new system to be completed by the end of the year. The goals of the project are:
- To move from a printed statement system to a coded online internet account. EFTS participants will be able to look up their account on the internet at any time.
- To have more management reports available. These reports should provide more timely information so that libraries can keep their account balances current.
- To upload data in a more timely manner. You will be able to upload data and immediately determine if there are any errors in the data.
- To help EFTS become self-sufficient in two years. EFTS needs an estimated 1,800 participants to become self-supporting by the time NLM support ceases in two years. The new system will be scalable, whereas the present system is not.
EFTS Listserv
The EFTS listserv is picking up activity! There have been a number of recent exchanges from members within our region and from across the country. Take a look! Just go to http://efts.uchc.edu/listserv.html and click on the link to join the listserv. One option is to view EFTS-L without joining. You will see a number of messages from your colleagues! You can then join the list before you join EFTS - all at the same web site.
EFTS in Canada
The first Canadian library joined EFTS in July. Mexican DOCLINE libraries (there are now 12 in the process of training) will eventually join EFTS as well. In the future, the EFTS system will be enhanced to include currency conversion, but, until then, all transactions on all billing statements for these libraries will be handled in US dollars.
Interlibrary Loan Software Reviews
Did you notice that the July 2003 issue of the Journal of the Medical Library Association has software reviews for several interlibrary loan management systems? Included are: QuickDOC for Windows 2.1.1, Clio 3.5, OCLC ILLiad, and Prospero 2.0. These programs are designed for a wide range of users. Small libraries are more likely to use QuickDoc or Clio; larger libraries are more likely to use Clio or ILLiad. QuickDoc, Clio, and ILLiad manage interlibrary loan data and can provide EFTS reports to send to the EFTS offices at the University of Connecticut. Prospero, an open source ILL and document delivery system, handles the transmission of interlibrary loans but does not provide reports of lending or borrowing; consequently, there is no provision for EFTS reports. Version 3.0 is scheduled for release later this year.
To read the full text of the reviews, click here. If you are interested in visiting the web sites for these pages, click on the name:
QuickDoc for Windows
Clio http://www.cliosoftware.com
OCLC ILLiad
Prospero
EFTS users in the Pacific Southwest
As of August 31, 2003, there are 63 EFTS participants in the Pacific Southwest. Look at our growth!
Please contact Julie Kwan or Andrea Lynch if you have any questions about EFTS.