UnityWeb, provided by Talis Information Ltd in partnership with The Combined Regions, demonstrates library co-operation and resource sharing in action on a regional and national scale. UnityWeb offers networked access to a rich source of bibliographic and location information covering the holdings of over 450 libraries across the UK and Ireland, including the British Library. The database has over 10 million bibliographic records and more than 35 million locations. Updates are continuously applied and available immediately.

Flexible options for display mean that each subscribing institution can configure its own view of the locations. Efficient, time-saving electronic requesting facilities are provided for library staff, including the ability to build rotas into requests. Online configuration options and the ability to contribute holdings updates online put the librarian in control and ensure that changes are made quickly and efficiently.

UnityWeb can be made available directly to library users. Powerful but easy-to-use search facilities enable users to discover and locate the materials they require in library collections nation-wide, supporting research and lifelong learning.

The clear interface has been designed to enable accessibility for visually impaired users and has ‘Bobby’ approval. This is an important part of the inclusive approach in UnityWeb, supported by Share the Vision as a member of The Combined Regions.

UnityWeb can be accessed from any PC connected to the Internet and running version 4 or higher of Internet Explorer or Netscape.

Unityweb has been enthusiastically welcomed by the 100 subscribing institutions that have gone live so far.

‘UnityWeb brings great benefits for libraries of all kinds’, said Rob Froud, County Librarian, Somerset and Chair of The Combined Regions, ‘particularly in accessing and updating the database via the web and in efficient electronic requesting. We are delighted to renew and strengthen our relationship with Talis, whose technical expertise will ensure that UnityWeb becomes a ‘must have’ for all library and information services.’

‘The strengths of Talis and The Combined Regions in renewed partnership have delivered a new service of major importance with a long-term commitment to library co-operation and resource sharing’, said Stephen Gray, Managing Director of Talis Information Ltd.

The UnityWeb service is available at www.unityweb.org.

The Combined Regions consists of five of the seven English Regional Library Systems (RLSs) and five national services: North Western RLS, NEMLAC, Yorkshire Libraries & Information, East Midlands RLS, South Western RLS, The British Library, the National Library of Scotland, An Chomhairle Leabharlanna (The Library Council of Ireland), Cydfenthyca Cymru / Interlending Wales and Share The Vision.

The purpose of The Combined Regions is to support inter-library lending, co-operation and access by merging the catalogues of its members into a single database, creating a unique and valuable information resource. The database is maintained and services are provided through a contractual partnership with Talis Information Limited, the leading supplier of library and information systems and services in the UK.

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Notes to editors

1. For information on The Combined Regions contact: Deborah Ryan, The Combined Regions Co-ordinating Office, North Western RLS, Central Library, St. Peter's
Square, Manchester M2 5PD.
Tel: 0161 234 1947. Fax: 0161 236 3813. E-mail: [log in to unmask]
www.thecombinedregions.com

2. For information on Talis contact:  Terry Willan, Product Manager, Talis
Information Limited, Birmingham Research Park, Vincent Drive, Edgbaston,
Birmingham B15 2SQ.
Tel: 0121 471 1179. Fax: 0121 472 0298. E-mail: [log in to unmask]
www.talis.com