RACER FAQ
What is RACER?
RACER is the name of the VDX interlibrary loan system currently being implemented in
OCUL member libraries (Ontario Council of University Libraries). RACER is an
acronym for "rapid access to collections by electronic requesting".
What is VDX?
RACER is based on Fretwell-Downing Inc.'s VDX (Virtual Document Exchange)
software. The VDX software provides the simultaneous search interface to OCUL library
catalogues and the Web-based interlibrary loan requesting and management system that
Ontario university libraries are implementing.
How is it funded?
RACER is one component of the Scholars Portal project. Another component of the
Scholars Portal Project is the mounting and access to ejournals through a common
Ontario server. Scholars Portal is a cooperative venture, partly funded by the Ontario
Information Infrastructure and Ontario Universities, to expand access to scholarly
resources.
When will RACER be implemented?
It is anticipated that TUG will go into production with RACER on June 18th, along with
Windsor, Ryerson, Brock, and Western. Other OCUL libraries will follow in phases.
What is the relationship between the OCUL catalogues search interface and the ILL
requesting and management system?
Anyone can search the library catalogues of Ontario universities and selected other
catalogues using the Z39.50 simple or advanced search options. Current faculty, students,
and staff of Ontario universities who are logged on to RACER can submit an ILL request
for a title retrieved in a search. When ILL staff authorize such a request, an internal
search engine called DocFind does another search of the catalogues for the requested
title. The DocFind search targets specific lending libraries according to rules determined
by each institution.
Will the users of the TUG Books and Articles Retrieval Service (TUGbars) use RACER?
TUG books requests made through the holds and recalls options in TRELLIS will
continue unchanged. TUG articles requests will now be made through a TUG documents
option. This option will present users with a new TRELLIS form. When the user submits
this form, its contents will be received in RACER. TUGdoc staff will process these
requests on RACER. Users requesting TUGdoc articles will have no need to log onto
RACER. They may wish to log on in order to track the status of their request. However,
this will not normally be necessary, as users will receive email notices when their
material is available.
Will interlibrary loan patrons use RACER?
Yes, patrons initiating an interlibrary loan request will log onto RACER. They can search
the OCUL catalogues and submit a request for a title retrieved in a search, or they can fill
in a blank form. Simply filling in a blank form is similar to what they do now. The other
option, requesting a title found through a search, saves the user having to key in the
information. In this option, the form is “auto-populated” by the contents of the record
retrieved. They’ll still have to supply the volume and issue, in the case of journal articles.
But it will likely save them some time. It may be a matter of user preference. Some may
prefer not to perform the search. If they’re sure of the information, they may want to
simply enter the author, title, etc.
Will RACER users require instruction?
RACER users may require some instruction. For example, they may need some guidance
with regard to catalogue selection. It might also be useful for them to know that their
request is for a particular title, and will not necessarily come from the location where they
found it in their search. They may also be interested to learn how to access their record in
order to check on the status of their request. The TUG VDX group is collaborating with
the TUG OPAC group to provide instructional materials.
Where will users go to access RACER?
There will be links to RACER from different places within TRELLIS. In many cases, the
links will first take the patron to an intermediary page that is being developed, to
encourage patrons to consider questions such as how quickly they need an item before
they proceed to place an ILL request. Library websites can also provide direct links to
RACER.