Think about how much easier it would be for college students to write term papers if they could locate all of the information they needed while sitting at a personal computer in their dormitory rooms, or even while spending a weekend back home.

Students at the 14 state-owned universities soon will be able to do just that.

The remarkable system – first envisioned nearly 2½ years ago – is close to being up and running on all of the campuses. The State System of Higher Education will be the first university system in the nation to have such a “virtual library network.”

“The Keystone Library Network will make it possible for a student to search all of the holdings of all 14 universities from virtually anywhere,” said David J. Gray, the System’s vice chancellor for information technology.

“This is a wonderful example of how technology can be used to greatly expand the learning opportunities of our students, and how all of our System universities can work together in a more efficient, cost-effective manner,” said Chancellor James H. McCormick. “The Keystone Library Network eventually will become a tremendous resource for the entire Commonwealth.”

The electronic network will be accessible to students, faculty and others through the Internet.

In fact, much of it already is.

Users can log on and search for articles printed in many of the most popular academic and technical journals. In many cases, the text is exactly the same as in the printed versions of the magazines and periodicals. In others, citations and abstracts provide at least the basic information about what is included in an article, which students can use to decide whether to go to the library to read the entire piece.

All 14 universities are being connected to the Keystone Library Network through three main hub sites at Indiana, Shippensburg and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. The network should be fully operational by later this year.

Not only will it make doing research much simpler for students and faculty, it also may eventually help reduce costs for the universities, and allow the State System to greatly expand its overall library holdings.

Because of the interconnections, librarians on the various campuses should be able to coordinate their purchasing. Some books that in the past may have been bought by all 14 libraries in the future may need to be purchased by only three or four. The materials then could be made available to all System students through the inter-library loan process.

“It may even be possible to buy one resource, digitize it and put it on the electronic system, where it would be available to everyone,” said Gray.

Development of the Keystone Library Network also should help in the expansion of distance learning opportunities across the System, according to Gray.

Students who would sign up for classes offered over the Internet or through videoconferencing also would have access to the virtual library network from any location through a standard web browser.

Another feature that will be established in the fall will be an experimental “virtual information desk,” which will effectively extend the hours that students across the System may receive library assistance. They will be able to contact the resource through either electronic mail or a toll-free telephone number.

The capabilities of the Keystone Library Network were demonstrated to members of the Board of Governors at the board’s quarterly board meeting held today at the Dixon University Center. Additional demonstrations of the new system will be held later.

The State System of Higher Education comprises 14 universities throughout the Commonwealth, and is the largest provider of higher education in the state. One of every 29 Pennsylvanians is attending or is a graduate of a System university. The State System is the 17^th largest employer in the state, with more than 11,700 employees.

The 14 state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. The System also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Kittanning, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional education centers.