Computer Access

I recently came across a short item that I clipped from the Dec. 2, 1992, issue of the Los Angeles Times Ventura County edition. The piece was headlined, “PC Users to Access Library Catalogues.” At that time, Dixie Adeniran, director of Library Services, was reported as saying that their new computer system would enable users to access the catalogues from home via a modem connection. That access was to occur in “early 1993.”

Given the present deplorable state of governmental support for the library system in Ventura County, this would alleviate some of the problems of public access to the library’s catalogues caused by shortened hours of operation. However, in a recent phone call to the Library Services office, I was referred to someone at the Foster Library who advised me that nothing had been done toward achieving that goal.

The library’s computer system is in place and operating. It has the ability to take incoming calls. Though that feature has not been activated, it should not be particularly labor intensive to adjust the system to accept incoming calls. I am certain that with the large number of computer professionals in the county, there are some who would be able to volunteer some time to see this project through to completion, should Ms. Adeniran see this completion as desirable.

BOB DE VIOLINI

Oxnard

Bob de Violini is a member of the Channel Islands PC Users’ Group and editor of its newsletter, The Outer Edge.