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Published on 10/30/1995 All articles from this issue

It's official: Los Altos libraries now on the Internet

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By Clyde Noel / Town Crier Staff Writer

Standing in front of a computer screen at the Los Altos Main Library last Friday, a large group of public officials eagerly watched a World Wide Web of information appear before their eyes. With a single keystroke at 1 p.m., the Los Altos and Woodland libraries were connected to the Internet.

With another keystroke at 1:30 p.m., the entire Santa Clara County library system was on the Internet. County congratulatory ceremonies were conducted in the Los Altos library.

County officials giving congratulatory remarks were Susan Fuller, county librarian, Richard Wittenberg, county executive, Dianne McKenna, county supervisor and Joseph Costello, president and CEO of Cadence Design Systems.

"It's happening on the Internet," Costello said. "This will cause a tremendous explosion on how to get your information."

Cadence Design Systems, in San Jose, donated the money to the county library system through its "Stars and Stripes" bowling events. Cadence raised $103,000 for the Santa Clara County Library Internet project.

Charlotte Doudell, county library coordinator, said a World Wide Web page can provide a person information from government to sports to how to buy a new car. The Los Altos library can also provide access points for any individual looking for immediate information from his home.

"Anybody with a modem on their personal computer can dial in and access the library on-line catalog," Doudell said. "The information is free and it's as easy as borrowing a book."

Los Altos librarian Carol Tefft said the library system upgraded the telecommunications network with the money from Cadence and the increased capacity allows the library to offer the Internet to anyone.

"Initially, the first phase of Internet is based on a text-based browser to the World Wide Web," Tefft said. "Later, the library will replace the network screens and provide a graphical browser in the form of a personal computer (PC)."

Los Altos resident Steven Salveter said he dialed in the Library's system and the line speed increased from 2,400 bits per second (bps) to 19,200 bps.