AMIGOS memorandum.

              TO:
FRCJ4:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
AMIGOS
BIBLIOGRAPHIC COUNCIL
AMlGOS MIMJRANOOM 75-22
AMIGOS Bibliographic COlUlcil Library Directors and
Technical Services Directors
. I ,
James H. Kennedy, Executive Director C-I- /\
September 22, 1975 I
Measures Being Taken to Reduce Response Time
As you know, participating libraries are witnessing a noticeable increase in
response time on the OCLC system. This increase in response time is system­wide
and temporary. OCLC should be able to restore response time to acceptable
levels by 1 December 1975 when their computer facilities are consolidated in the
new building. We are aware of the problems poor response time causes in your
libraries, and you and your library staffs should understand that OCLC is doing
everything possible to remove this burden of excessive response time. Below
are reasons for the increased response time and a list of measures OCLC has taken
or intends to take to reduce response time and improve service.
The primary cause for the current increase in response time is events over
which OCLC cannot have control. These events have caused a delay in the
long-range schedule for adding a second computer to the on-line system. The
connection of the Sigma 5 computer with the Sigma 9 computer did not prove to
be economically viable. As of the present moment, there is 90 percent prob­ability
that the second Sigma 9 computer will be added to the on-line system by
1 December 1975, so that response time will be restored to the previous acceptable
level (7-10 seconds). Therefore, there will be an excess number of tenninals
using a system with one Sigma 9 rather than two Sigma 9 computers.
The unavoidable delay in adding the second' computer to the on-line system
confronts the Center with two problems in productivity to be resolved:
1) maintenance of productivity of library staffs, and 2) maintenance of system
productivity throughout the budgetary year. The measures described in this
nlemorandum will improve response time at ternlinals and thereby improve productivity
of libraries. Increased productivity in libraries means increased system
productivity so that revenue will be adequate to maintain current rates for
charges. If response time were allowed to continue to degrade even temporarily
so that the on-line system would become unuseable for all practical purposes
for even a few weeks, this degradation in productivity would have a deleter-ious
impact on the Center's fianacial position. Thus, present response time
problems could pose long-range financial problems for the Center.
2400N. Armstrong Parkway, Drive E - P.O. Box 688, Richardson. Texas 75080 -(214) 690-2595
An Agency of the Interuniversity Council of the North Texas Area
Promoting Library Cooperation and Resource Sharing in the Southwest