Kansas Libraries 
SIRS Discoverer Deluxe is available through Blue Skyways (http://www.skyways.org), a service of the Kansas State Library that provides Kansas citizens with easy access to global information resources. Statewide access to SIRS Discoverer Deluxe is provided for all public libraries, schools, universities, and colleges. According to the company, between 400,000 and 500,000 users will benefit from SIRS Discoverer Deluxe. 

According to Marc Galbraith, director of the Kansas State Library’s Reference Services Division, access to SIRS Discoverer Deluxe brings Blue Skyways one step closer to creating a comprehensive library of online resources. “The Kansas State Library and the Reference Networking Committee are very pleased to provide our citizens, and especially our young people, with access to SIRS Discoverer Deluxe, an educational, informative, and age-appropriate tool,” he said. 
 

Virginia Community Colleges 
The contract allows Virginia libraries to access SIRS databases—SIRS Researcher, SIRS Government Reporter, and SIRS Renaissance, as well as the children’s database SIRS Discoverer Deluxe—online via the SIRS Knowledge Source online interface. 

According to the Library of Virginia, the decision to purchase SIRS databases was motivated by highly favorable feedback from a survey undertaken to assess library needs throughout the state. SIRS databases, now available throughout Virginia in 2,000 schools, will help meet the information and research needs of users of various ages, reading levels, and interests. 

The addition of the SIRS databases enables Virginia citizens to effectively search, sort, print, and e-mail general-reference and graphical information from thousands of full-text articles. Database articles and graphics are selected from nearly 7,000 U.S. and international newspapers, magazines, government documents, and wire services. 
 

SKS Advisory Board Meeting 
Library professionals representing statewide consortia, universities, community colleges, public libraries, and schools throughout the country recently met at SIRS Mandarin, Inc.’s corporate office for the company’s first SIRS Knowledge Source (SKS) Advisory Board Meeting. 

Formed in June 2000, the SKS Advisory Board brings experienced library professionals together to evaluate and enhance SIRS’ popular Internet interface, SIRS Knowledge Source, SIRS Researcher, SIRS Government Reporter, SIRS Renaissance, and SIRS NetSelect. The SKS Advisory Board provides SIRS with valuable feedback regarding the functionality, performance, and level of user satisfaction with its online products, including SIRS Discoverer Deluxe on the Web. The SKS Advisory Board will play an important role in the future research and development of SIRS’ online products. Board feedback will help SIRS to expand, alter, and point the direction for new and auxiliary products. 

At the meeting, board members reviewed SIRS Knowledge Source’s content, graphical presentation, and administrative functions, and studied ways in which SIRS databases have been successfully used in online research. In addition, participants discussed online database trends and the current information needs of their diverse users with SIRS’research, information technology, and sales staff. 

Source: SIRS Mandarin, Inc., Boca Raton, FL, 800/232-7477; http://www.sirs.com.