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