Evaluation of the Use of Slow-Scan Television and Telefacsimile

摘要

In November 1979, Herner and Company was invited to conduct an evaluation of Phase II of the Federal Library Network Prototype Project. This experimental project involved the use of telefacsimile and slow-scan television for interlibrary loan and communication activities among federal libraries between the period July 1979 to March 1980. The Project was funded by the National Science Foundation with the Federal Library Committee, Director's office, providing project administration and the director of the ERL Libraries serving as Project Director. The evaluation procedure included site visits to the participating libraries, the analysis of data recorded by the participating libraries on transaction forms, interviews with 38 library staff members who used the equipment and participated in the Project, a review of the literature, and discussions with experts, including Oversight Committee Members. Analysis of the transaction data showed that interlibrary loans accounted for 75 percent of the activity, with correspondence responsible for another 15 percent. For transmission, Rapifax was used 86 percent of the time; QWIP, 6 percent; the telephone, 2 percent; and slow-scan television, 1 percent.