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Jack Farnlacher Job Summary -- Eight Years' Work for the Supreme Court of Ohio Law Library
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Accomplishments and responsibilities at the Ohio Supreme Court:
Summary of accomplishments:
From March, 1988 to February, 1996, I was Systems Librarian and
Programmer at the Supreme Court of Ohio Law Library in Columbus, Ohio.
During that time, this was the largest state supreme court law
library in America. The library was on the fourth and fifth floors
in the Rhodes Office Tower just north of and across Broad Street
from the Ohio Statehouse.I was employed by the Justices of the Supreme Court to computerize their Law Library. When the project began, the library had no computer equipment for patrons or librarians, except for one terminal used for ordering books. The only work on this project that preceded my being hired was the decision to use the NOTIS software. All phases of the project took eight years to complete. When I left the Court, the project was officially completed; all departments had been integrated into the computer system. Daily work consisted primarily of systems maintenance. This webpage lists my accomplishments and responsibilities.
Law Librarian Paul S. Fu (who preferred that his staff use the honorary title "Doctor") saw my resume on The Ohio State University's website for eProNet (which is now part of Experience). Dr. Fu asked me in for an interview and ultimately hired me. I felt honored and privileged to have been asked to complete this project. I felt that I did so in ways that exceeded the expectations of management. It was an unusual job, because I was working for managers who had very little knowledge of computers and the technology needed to implement this library system. The project required me to accomplish a broad range of tasks. I relied on my intelligence, accumulated professional skills, and all resources that were made available to me. These included interactions with computer systems technicians of the State of Ohio and technicians of the vendor, NOTIS Systems Inc. of Evanston, Illinois.
I created and maintained a stable, computer-based library environment for use by the general public and the staff of the Court. I defined performance standards for my work; installed hardware and software; customized software to this environment; resolved many systems problems; trained library staff, and interacted with library patrons.
Much has changed since I worked for the Law Library. NOTIS Systems, Inc. (incorporated c. September, 1987) under the leadership of Jane Burke became Ameritech-NOTIS and then Endeavour Information Systems about 1995. The mainframe-based NOTIS Library Management System evolved into the client-server-based Voyager. In 2000, Endeavour I.S. merged with Reed-Elsevier (Amsterdam, Netherlands). My skills with NOTIS, therefore, contributed to the evolution of the Law Library from a traditional, card catalog-based library in 1988 into a modern, state-of-the-art, computerized facility in 1996 using the premier integrated library system available at that time (NOTIS). Today, many libraries and the computer systems they use have evolved beyond the era of the mainframe.
- IBM mainframe communications hardware (IBM 3174-01R Controller, software, and cabling)
- IBM mainframe terminals (4 - IBM 3164s, 6 - IBM 3192-G10s)
- IBM microcomputers (7 - PS2/30s)
- QuietWriter printers (6 - model IIs, 7 - model IIIs)
- Hewlett-Packard 2671A thermal printer (Circulation printer)
- IBM remote stand-alone dot band printer (IBM 4234)
- GTO PC (IBM PS2/40SX and 2 - Black Box short-haul modems)
- Hewlett-Packard laser printers (1 - IIP, 4 - 4Ls)
- CD-ROM towers (2 - configurations with 21 drives, power supplies, EISA SCSI controller boards, and cabling)
- CD-ROM server PCs (2 - Equix 486DX2-66EISA)
- CD-ROM workstation PCs (4 - Equix 486DX2-66EISA)
- Symbol/MSI barcode scanners (5 - LS2000s, wedges, and cabling)
- 3Com Hub, plug-in boards, FDDI cabling, and related networking boards for CD-ROM/ Windows NT domain.
- Related cables, switch boxes, modems, diskettes, utility software, hardware, documentation, records, and supplies
I installed all hardware and peripherals used in the Law Library;
- IBM mainframe-based software ( NOTIS LMS & GTO )
- PC operating systems and other software on all SCROLL terminals
- InfoTrac PC, printer, and CD-ROM drives
- Congressional Information Service PC, laser printer, and CD-ROM drives
- OCLC Wang PCs ( M310, M486, modems, and cabling )
- Sconet workstation computers
- WestLaw workstation PC
installed and maintained all software used by the Law Library;
- Create, modify, maintain, and perform daily series of software and database backups and index regenerations using customized daily JCL runs.
- Perform housekeeping for current release of mainframe JCL and software; perform updates as required to maintain compatibility with DAS/ODN environment; produce needed listings of current versions of programs and JCL.
- Perform duties as the Resource Access Control Facility (RACF) Administrator for the library. This includes creating IBM mainframe security for the NOTIS environment; defining user profiles; and resolving security and password access problems.
- Economize disk usage on IBM mainframe computers; remove unused conversion datasets; try to reduce overhead costs.
- Regularly review computer usage detail reports from DAS/ODN. Remove old materials from the mainframe computer.
- Monitor mainframe computer downtime. Inform Law Librarian, Cataloguer, and Public Services Head when mainframe computer is down. Maintain a downtime log that included real and compromised availability.
- Maintain all JCL decks to show currently used job accounting numbers and to distinguish between production and test regions and the categories within each.
- Perform end-of-month database report runs. Perform quarterly database purge procedures. End-of-month procedures required parts of four days to complete; purge procedure required parts of two days to complete.
- Install and become proficient on new mainframe and network software as purchased by library.
applied the State's IBM system to the needs of the Library's application software;
- Install, maintain, update, and repair (or monitor the repairs of others) of computer hardware, computer software, and computer-related equipment in the Law Library. This includes everything in the sections above.
- Perform daily startup and shutdown duties for patron terminals, CD-ROM equipment, and 4234 printer.
- Install, maintain, and support barcode scanners, wedges, power supplies, and cables. Install upgrade components when required; reprogram wedges when disfunctional; adapt scanners/wedges to new equipment as needed.
- Research cabling requirements for computer equipment; create mechanical drawings for new cable installations; perform cable matching for serial port devices; and test for correct operation. Purchase new cables and adapters as needed for new applications.
- Perform needed maintenance on all library computer equipment. Initiate and monitor service calls to IBM Service, ODN, SONIC, and other computer vendors. Respond to and try to solve problems of library staff.
- Maintain the InfoTrac PC, its CD-ROM drives, discs, printer, and documentation. Perform problem resolution work as needed; initiate and monitor service calls to the vendor.
- Maintain the Congressional Information Service (CIS) PC, CD-ROM drives, discs, laser printer, documentation, and other applications software loaded on this computer. Problem resolution work as needed; initiate and monitor service calls.
- Maintain the OCLC PCs (M310 and M486), modems, DOS operating system and Windows software, PASSPORT software, and documentation. Perform problem resolution work as needed; initiate and monitor service calls to OCLC and OhioNet.
- Maintain short-haul modems and cabling between OCLC PCs and the NOTIS GTO computer.
- Maintain the WestLaw PC, internal modem, and printer; install new equipment; perform problem-solving tasks; and work with West Publishing technicians as authorized.
- Maintain and properly store spare, new, and used material related to library computer equipment. Maintain an inventory list of these items (stored in Typing Room closet, Rare Books room, and Cataloging work room).
- (Before Sconet and Windows-based email access were available) Access BITNET via CompuServe to keep track of reported errors on NOTIS. Learn and maintain skills for use of CompuServe.
- Install and become proficient on new PC-based software as purchased by library.
- Adapt publishing companies' CD-ROM software products to run in the Windows NT (server) / Windows for Workgroups (client) environment. Find creative, legally acceptable ways of installing software in client/server, multiple-user environment.
- Responsible for most of the CD-ROM room creation process: researched equipment requirements and specifications, conducted a complete sealed bid process, compared returned bids, and informed management of proceedings; ordered, received, installed, and made operational all hardware and software.
installed and maintained all PCs and peripherals in the Library;
- Support librarians and library staff in their use of computers and computer-related equipment.
- Conduct computer hardware and software training for librarians and library staff.
- Provide for technical assistance to dial-up patrons. This included answering questions (in person and on the telephone), mailing SCROLL materials and technical briefs to patrons; and maintaining records of dial-up support and a contact log.
- Provide technical assistance for other Court employees while they are in the library and using library computers and computer services. This includes working on OCT equipment and where CD-ROM services interact with Sconet.
- Provide technical assistance for consultants and vendors as retained by the Court.
- Provide technical assistance and work with DAS/ODN and DAS/SONIC employees to support library use of the IBM mainframe computers.
- Answer questions of staff and patrons about mainframe computers, NOTIS, the IBM/CICS operating environment, microcomputers, and related applications.
- Create and maintain Operations Procedures for computer-related procedures used in the library; prepare additional OPs materials as additional situations are identified; update procedures to remain current with library usage.
- Create, update, and maintain technical briefs for mailing to dial-up patrons; modify as needed to show current procedures and usage in the DAS/ODN environment.
provided training, help desk, technical assistance, and other services;
- Process error corrections for production releases of NOTIS software. Change programs and JCL code; reassemble and link-edit program modules; test each change; migrate changes into production region software.
- Perform modifications and installation work on each new release of NOTIS LMS and GTO software. Research ways to produce same results same results in altered / rewritten sections of each new release.
- Perform problem-solving diagnosis and research to resolve NOTIS software and usage problems detected by library staff. This includes problems with cables, printers, barcode scanners, PC software, etc.
- Perform the duties as TECH1 for NOTIS products used in the library. This includes full technical support responsibilities for all software and hardware needed to use NOTIS and its related services.
- Attend the annual Ameritech Library Services / NOTIS User's Group workshops and meetings in Chicago. Prepare out-of-state travel requests, trip justification explanations, and travel expense reports.
- Create and maintain a binder and supporting listings showing all local customization changes to software modules. These records identify changes made to support the use of NOTIS LMS and GTO in the law library.
- Maintain records to allow reasonably fast response to problems. Maintain information as pertains to NOTIS LMS and GTO, Ameritech Library Services, software releases, and other aspects of the automated mainframe system.
- Maintain adequate supplies for computer usage in library; includes computer paper, printer ribbons and cartridges, replacement cables, cable adapters, diskettes, media head cleaning materials, scratch magnetic tape, tape backup cartridges.
- Complete and submit Court Requisition forms for purchase of consumable computer materials (toner cartridges, ribbons, printer paper, screen cleaners, etc.) and monitor usage for timely reordering.
modified and maintained the NOTIS software for needs of the Law Library;
- Perform Circulation duties at Front Desk as needed.
- Perform Audio-Visual Room duties as needed.
- Perform Newspaper duties as backup for others.
- Maintain files and binders of current information on hardware and software used in the library. Update records and discard outdated/unneeded materials.
- Research and prepare Customer Service Request (CSRs) forms for needed changes to the ODN computer environment.
- Develop skills and accessing abilities for the Internet, IBM MEMO (email), DEC ALL-IN-1 (email), OCLC, and other services.
- Perform research, feature comparisons, and product evaluations for the purchase of new software.
- Regularly review all service contracts and extended warranties on computer equipment to be sure all are properly maintained. Maintain a file for these records.
and, as an employee of the Law Library, I had other duties.
- DAS = Ohio Department of Administrative Services
- GTO = Generic Transfer and Overlay
- LMS = Library Management System
- NOTIS = Northwestern Online Totally Integrated System (see comments, top of page)
- OCLC = Online Computer Library Center (Dublin, Ohio)
- OCT = the Supreme Court's Office of Court Technology
- ODN = Ohio Data Network (part of DAS; the state's centralized data center)
- PC = IBM-compatible microcomputer
- SCONET = Supreme Court of Ohio Network
- SCROLL = Supreme Court Research Online Law Library
- SONIC/SONET -- These older terms for telecommunication networks in the State of Ohio are apparently obsolete. They are now part of Unified Network Services, The Ohio Office of Information Technology, Digital Government, and other acronyms of services in Ohio.
- TECH1 = Principal technical contact person at a NOTIS site
Acronyms used by the Law Library and State of Ohio.
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Jack Farnlacher 614-288-1524 jack@thnc.org