ZyLAB Information Access Solution Powers New National Agricultural Library Online Digital Repository


The National Agricultural Library Digital Repository Provides Convenient Access to Full Text of Selected United States Department of Agriculture Publications

VIENNA, Va., May 1 / -- ZyLAB, an innovative developer of Information Access Solutions, and Systems Integration Group, today announced that The National Agricultural Library (NAL) has launched the NAL Digital Repository (NALDR) using ZyLAB's ZyIMAGE system to provide access to the full text of selected United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) publications. The new site is available at: http://naldr.nal.usda.gov/

"ZyLAB worked with us to create a system that exceeded our original vision and expectations. They built a system that integrated into our existing architecture, linking our catalog, AGRICOLA to the full text in the repository, and empowering users to find information they need rapidly," said Carol Ditzler, Head of the Collection Services Branch. "It is important that USDA publications are placed in a repository that is secure and in an open format so that future generations can access this information. Online access to selected USDA publications is now just a click away!"

The NALDR utilizes the ZyIMAGE system, which includes optical character recognition processing, to convert images into searchable text and a Web interface to display and print/download documents. ZyLAB's ZyIMAGE system powers the NALDR by offering several features that facilitate searching and access. These include:

o The scanned publications have been processed so that the text is
fully searchable. Search keywords are highlighted wherever they are
found in the full text display.

o Users can search for information via a basic search, advanced search,
publications, or table of contents. Information and examples of how
each of these search criteria work is at:
http://naldr.nal.usda.gov/NALWeb/Help.htm#agricola

o The image files are compressed for quick loading to the Web. The
first page loads and then the user has the option to view the complete
publication or article.

o There is a printing/downloading option that converts the images to the
commonly used Portable Document Format (PDF).

"With ZyLAB's efficient search and retrieval capability and nonproprietary approach to file management, I was confident that NAL's functional requirements would be met and that its long-term interests would be protected," said Dan Pence, Vice President, Document and Imaging Services, Systems Integration Group. "NAL's subsequent success in establishing its digital repository is a reflection of the dedicated teamwork and solid product provided by ZyLAB on this project."

The NALDR contains a wide variety of publications that have been digitized by NAL. One example is the Yearbook of the United States Department of Agriculture, which was published from 1864 to 1992. The Yearbook provides statistical information and comprehensive surveys of particular subjects important to agriculture and in its later years covered more popular topics of interest to both urban and rural audiences.

The volumes for 1894 through 1914 are currently available in the repository and the remaining volumes will be added later in 2006. Publications are added on an ongoing basis -- check the Spotlights section of the home page for information on new additions.

"It is always exciting to be part of an initiative that improves the way historical information is made available to the public, such as the NALDR," said Dr. Johannes Scholtes, president of ZyLAB North America LLC. "This is the second major government information repository we have helped launch in the last eight months. ZyLAB offers Federal organizations with a solution that benefits both internal and external users."

In mid-2005, ZyLAB implemented a similar solution for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA worked with ZyLAB to upgrade its National Environmental Publications Information System (NEPIS) to help users locate information in over 11,000 EPA documents; equating to over one million pages. This site is located at http://nepis.epa.gov/.

About ZyLAB

For over 20 years, ZyLAB has provided commercial and government organizations around the world with award-winning information access solutions. The ZyIMAGE Information Access Platform is a complete XML-based system that provides a secure foundation for the long-term archiving, management and retrieval of information, from digitized paper documents, to electronic files, to e-mail and attachments, to multimedia.

With over 7,500 installations and 350,000 users worldwide, ZyLAB has a wealth of experience and knowledge across a variety of industries and business applications. US Federal clients include the Executive Office of the President and the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Homeland Security, Justice and Defense, as well all branches of the US Armed Forces and investigative teams at the FBI, SEC, and Amtrak's OIG. Hundreds of state and local governments also rely on ZyLAB, such as The State of California, Montgomery County, Maryland, and The Town of Jackson, Wyoming. ZyLAB's numerous commercial clients include associations such as The Business Roundtable and leading companies like American Express, Anheuser-Busch, Dominion Virginia Power, Lockheed Martin, Pacific Life, and Shell Oil. For more information visit: http://www.zylab.com/.

Media Contact:
Evan Weisel
Welz & Weisel Communications
P: 703-323-6006
evan@w2comm.com

Source: ZyLAB

CONTACT: Evan Weisel of Welz & Weisel Communications, +1-703-323-6006, evan@w2comm.com, for ZyLAB

Web site: http://www.zylab.com/
http://naldr.nal.usda.gov/
http://nepis.epa.gov/

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