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Unity: Combined Regions Database Apologies for cross posting News Release 25 September 1998 For immediate release Unity looks to the future Immediate steps are being taken to reshape the future development of Unity, the Combined Regions Database, following the news that Libris Computing Limited, the supplier of Unity systems, ceased trading from 4 September. At a meeting hosted by the British Library on 15 September, the Unity Co-operative Council reaffirmed its strong commitment to the Unity concept and project. The Council will use the opportunity presented by the new situation to assess the potential for Unity to be repositioned within a client-server environment, incorporating interlibrary lending management systems and, if appropriate, Z39.50 protocols. The meeting was attended by representatives of the National Library of Scotland, Cydfenthyca Cymru/Interlending Wales, Regional Library Systems, Share the Vision and the British Library. Acknowledging that there would be a temporary standstill for the Unity database, it was stressed at the meeting that Unity Council, the Management Board and the Technical Board would have much work to undertake in the coming months: agreeing new strategic objectives, assessing the implications of potential futures, and evaluating any new systems. "With over 200 user libraries in the UK and Ireland, and over 450 libraries contributing data to the database", comments Unity Chair Alan Marchbank, "Unity demonstrates a solid body of achievement. It's a working partnership of participating libraries, with a rich resource of up-to-date reference, enquiry and research information." Alan adds: "Given the debate that's now evolving on resource discovery, national information policy and the People's Network, we will work hard to position Unity clearly within the national agendas". Unity is a formal co-operative of five of the seven English Regional Library Systems (RLSs) and five national services. It supports interlibrary lending, co-operation and access by merging the current catalogues of its members' libraries into a single database - creating a unique bibliographic tool. Unity contains over 9 million catalogue records and more than 30 million locations. It records current holdings of books, music, audiovisual materials, newspapers, periodicals and special collections. Enquiries from users of Unity systems and products should be made to Deborah Ryan, Unity Co-ordinating Office, North Western RLS, Central Library, St. Peter's Square, Manchester M2 5PD. Tel: 0161 234 1947. Fax: 0161 234 1963. E-mail:[log in to unmask] Enquiries from users of Libris Computing Limited systems and products should be made to David Rutherford or David McFarlane, Cowan & Partners, 60 Constitution Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6RR. Tel: 0131 554 0724. /ends Notes to Editors 1. The members of the Unity co-operative are: North Western Regional Library System (RLS), Information North, Association of Yorkshire & Humberside Library Services, East Midlands RLS, South Western RLS, The British Library, National Library of Scotland, An Chomhairle Leabharlanna (The Library Council of Ireland), Cydfenthyca Cymru/Interlending Wales and Share the Vision. 2. The Unity core files are: British National Bibliography (BNB) 1950 to date, BLDSC Monographs, Conferences and Serials files, Askews, National Union Catalogue of Alternative Formats (NUCAF), and the British Council Catalogue. The following datasets are also available on Unity: BL Humanities & Social Sciences, BL Science, Reference and Information Service, and The Stationery Office (HMSO) 1976 +. Unity contains full MARC citations and a range of EMMA records. 3. For further information on Unity contact: Deborah Ryan, Unity Co-ordinating Office, North Western RLS, Central Library, St. Peter's Square, Manchester M2 5PD. Tel: 0161 234 1947. Fax: 0161 234 1963. E-mail: [log in to unmask] 4. News Release issued for Unity by Pat Wressell & Associates 36 Highbury, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3EA Tel: +44 (0) 191 281 3502 Fax: +44 (0) 191 212 0146 Email: [log in to unmask] %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%