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Network Bulletin No. 97-14

Date:  February 14, 1997

Subject: CMLS

Index term:  Procedures for sending transactions on
the Internet

Data Management Associates (DMA), the contractor for
the Comprehensive Mailing List System (CMLS), has
informed NLS that it is now ready to begin accepting
CMLS transactions over the Internet. As you know, this
new use of the Internet was a topic at the 1996
national conference.

A pilot test has been ongoing for several months at
regional libraries in Baltimore, Maryland, and
Indianapolis, Indiana.  These libraries downloaded
CMLS transactions from their automated systems to the
Internet.  The staff involved in the test report that
they are pleased with the results.  Meanwhile, the
CMLS contractor has obtained the necessary equipment,
developed procedures and programs, and established an
Internet address.

If your library wishes to send its CMLS transactions
over the Internet, please contact the CMLS contractor,
preferably by e-mail at:

[log in to unmask]

Alternatively, you may call or fax Data Management to
the attention of:

Linda Cloutier
phone:  (407) 725-8081
fax:  (407) 724-4267

The DMA staff will then discuss with you the
requirements for transmitting transactions and will
schedule a test when your library meets the necessary
requirements.  There will be a two-week period during
which each library will continue to submit CMLS
transactions both using the current method and over
the Internet.  If all goes well, your library will
then be advised to send transactions over the Internet
instead of the method it now uses.

There are some guidelines that are vital for the
success of this new effort.

DMA will:

-- schedule libraries on a first-come, first-served
basis.  If there is a large initial demand from the
network, the scheduling will be adjusted so that each
library is adequately tested.  This may cause some
delay but will ensure the viability of this operation.

-- give libraries the Internet address for CMLS
transactions.

Each library should:

-- submit its CMLS transaction files no later than
Wednesday at 2 P.M. for  that week's processing.

-- provide DMA with the name, e-mail address, and
phone number of the contact person.

-- tell DMA how they will submit transaction files:
as part of an e-mail message or as an attachment to an
e-mail message.

All other options for submitting CMLS transactions
remain unchanged.

Other uses of the Internet for file transfer will be
reviewed by appropriate NLS staff after the successful
implementation of this project.

For further information contact:

Barbara Peterman
CMLS Coordinator