DRA and netLibrary are working together to integrate netLibrary e-books into the acquisitions and online public access catalog (OPAC) modules of the two DRA systems through the use of communication protocols for the transfer of machine-readable catalog (MARC) records. The integrated systems will enable librarians using DRA’s Classic and Taos systems, at their discretion, to quickly search, select, and acquire e-books for their collections. Also through the integrated DRA systems, librarians will be able to purchase e-books from netLibrary with the simplicity of transmitting an electronic purchase order, according to the announcement. 

In addition, library patrons will be able to search for e-books purchased by their library directly from the library’s DRA-furnished OPAC. Library patrons will be able to search MARC records for e-books in a library’s OPAC by author, title, subject, and ISBN. E-books found by patrons in the OPAC can be previewed or borrowed at the click of a mouse. 

“We are pleased to be working with netLibrary, a company focused on serving the needs of librarians and empowering libraries in the digital age. By combining DRA’s advanced library automation technology with netLibrary’s e-book infrastructure, we will be able to introduce e-books to our library customers in the platform they have become accustomed to using,” said DRA CEO Mike Mellinger. “The benefits extend to library patrons, as well, as they will be able to borrow e-books directly from their OPAC, anytime … from any computer connected to the Internet.” 

netLibrary president and CEO Rob Kaufman said: “DRA’s Classic and Taos library automation systems are windows to the people who matter most to netLibrary: librarians and library patrons. We are excited to be working with DRA to serve our mutual customers and make our e-book infrastructure available to members of the library community.” 

netLibrary is a leading provider of ebooks and Internet-based content-management services. According to the announcement, hundreds of publishers of academic, professional, reference, and scholarly books have adopted netLibrary’s digital rights management infrastructure. netLibrary develops, archives, hosts, and securely distributes e-books through a variety of channels, including academic, corporate, public, and school libraries. netLibrary e-books are full-text searchable and available for use on personal computers in online and offline formats. 

Data Research Associates, Inc. is a leading systems integrator for libraries and other information providers, offering its own proprietary information services software; third-party software and hardware; Internet, Web, and other networking services; and other related support services. 

Source: Data Research Associates, Inc., St. Louis, 800/325-0888, 314/432-1100; http://www.dra.com.