Fourth-Year Class Pledges Finance Library Software

UVa Alumni News Article, Vol. 82, No. 2, Jan/Feb 1994; Page 21 Insert

Students are not only using the University's electronic infrastructure, they are supporting it financially. The Class of 1994 has announced that its class gift will provide $209,000 to purchase InfoShare software, which will link the library's computerized catalog system, known as VIRGO, to on-line texts.

At present students on the University's computer network can use VIRGO to look up books and articles, including assigned readings held on reserve. However, to obtain copies of these materials, they must go to one of the University's 14 libraries. With InfoShare, students can actually call up or print the articles from their dorm rooms or from one of the computer labs around the Grounds.

InfoShare also offers PacLink and PacLoan, which connect U.Va. to other university libraries. Students can search the catalogs of, say, the University of California system in exactly the same way they search VIRGO. If a student at U.Va. needs a book or journal article that is unavailable in Charlottesville, it may be borrowed from the California system.

To take full advantage of InfoShare, the University Library is seeking additional private funds to replace its outmoded VIRGO terminals with personal computers. The new PC work stations will cost about $1,300 each.

For more information on InfoShare, write to the University librarian, Alderman Library, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903-2498.