ICOLC Release - Endorsement of the Bath Profile

[Ann Okerson <ann.okerson@yale.edu>]

International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC)

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION-
December 03, 2001

Endorsement of the Bath Profile

The International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC) announces its
�Endorsement of the Bath Profie.  The Bath Profile is an international
Z39.50 specification supporting library applications and resource
discovery. Version 1.1 of the Profile, released in June 2000, with minor
clarifications in February 2001, is endorsed as an ISO Internationally
Recognized Profile (IRP).

In endorsing the Bath Profile, the ICOLC realizes that standards
organizations, libraries, consortia, database vendors, and integrated
library system vendors will need to work together to realize the potential
of Z39.50. The international Bath Profile, if broadly adopted and
incorporated into more detailed national, regional, provincial, and state
agreements becomes a valuable part of the solution.  The complete
Endorsement of the Bath Profile with endorsing library consortia and
additional information about the ICOLC can be found at
http://www.library.yale.edu/consortia .

Support for the Bath Profile is already endorsed by 68 library consortia
from around the world.  More consortia endorsements will be added as
received.

About the International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC)

The International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC) has been in
existence since 1996.  The Coalition is an international, informal group
currently comprising over 160 library consortia in North America, Europe,
Australia, Asia, and Africa. The member consortia serve all types and
sizes of libraries. ICOLC facilitates discussion among consortia on issues
of common interest, and conducts two meetings per year in North America
and one meeting per year in Europe. The organization is dedicated to
keeping its members informed about electronic information resources,
pricing practices of electronic publishers and vendors, and other issues
of importance to consortium directors and governing boards. The Coalition
also meets with the information provider community to discuss product
offerings and issues of mutual concern.

More information about ICOLC can be found at
http://www.library.yale.edu/consortia   OR

Contact Tom Sanville, Executive Director, OhioLINK, Suite 300, 2455 North
Star Road, Columbus, OH 43221, Phone:  614-728-3600, ext. 322;
tom@ohiolink.edu

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT Endorsement of the Bath Profile, PLEASE
CONTACT:

Tom Peters,Director, Center for Library Initiatives, Committee on
Institutional Cooperation (CIC),302 East John Street, Suite 1705,
Champaign, IL 61820-5698, Phone: 217-244-9239; tpeters@cic.uiuc.edu