Microcomputer Activities of the Special Materials Project

The Special Materials Project (SMP) circulates Educational Captioned Films (ECF) materials nationwide through 58 film depositories, most of which are located in residential schools for the deaf. Two microcomputer-based systems enhance the cost-effectiveness of this materials circulation: FILMSHARE, an interdepository loan system; and BICS, a hooking and inventory control system.

FILMSHARE operates through two Smoke Signal 6800 microcomputers at SMP headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. The system makes it possible for ECF depositories in each of the seven ECF administrative regions to draw on one another's film collections for bookings they would otherwise be unable to make. Depositories may access the system with either a TTY or a computer terminal. In addition to increasing access to ECF materials, FILMSHARE also facilitates management communication between the SMP and ECF depositories and between individual depositories.

BICS operates through an Apple II Plus microcomputer at an ECF depository in each of the ECF's seven geographic regions. The system permits the SMP to manage a floating inventory of ECF materials within each region; automatically produces confirmation letters, which are sent to requesters of all materials bookings: prints shipping documents and mailing labels for use by depositories in materials delivery: and maintains up-to-date records of all transactions, from which management information reports may be generated at any time. ECF depositories can also use the system to manage the circulation of other materials at their school sites.

FILMSHARE, now completing its third school year of operation, has enabled more than 6,000 captioned film requests to he met that otherwise would have resulted in turndowns. More than 90% of all requests submitted through FILMSHARE are booked. FILMSHARE and BICS also have made it possible to successfully implement a variable acquisition policy for captioned materials: Instead of each of the 58 ECF depositories having an identical collection of one print per film title for the exclusive but limited use of that depository's clients, numbers of prints are now based on overall demand for individual titles among all depositories. As a result of the cost savings in prints, more than 150 new titles are now being added to the ECF collection each year; prior to FILMSHARE, only about 70 new titles a year were being added. With the help of FILMSHARE and BICS, ECF circulation has increased substantially and the overall booking-to-request rate for ECF materials has risen to 96%.