New CPI Online Available from BCR with 30-day Free Trial

By Ellen Fox

For the first time ever, BCR member libraries can have access to an electronic version of the Christian Periodical Index (CPI). BCR, partnering with the Association of Christian Librarians (ACL), produced the new online database and is now handling its distribution to the library community.

Libraries can try out the CPI online version by signing up with BCR for a 30-day free trial.

ACL provided the editorial content for the project. BCR's Research & Development (R&D) staff, using SilverPlatter's Partner Publishing Software and ERL Technology, converted the data to an electronic format and mounted it on BCR's Internet server from which libraries can access the CPI via the World Wide Web.

   
  BCR's Ellen Fox (center), helps Ruth Butler (left),
  founding editor of the Christian Periodical Index,
  and Sheila Carlblom, Association of Christian
  Librarians president, cut the ceremonial ribbon
  introducing the electronic version of the CPI at
  the ACL Annual Conference last month.
 
By converting the data to an ERL-compliant format, the CPI is inter-searchable with other SilverPlatter databases. BCR also is producing a CD-ROM version of the CPI, which will be accessible using SilverPlatter's SPIRS client software. It will be available later this summer.

The new electronic version of the CPI was unveiled at the 43rd Annual Conference of the Association of Christian Librarians last month in Cleveland, Tennessee. Ellen Fox, BCR R&D project manager, presented a demonstration of the online database to the more than 100 librarians attending the conference.

"This is a terrific service for libraries," said Fox of the new online database and of BCR's electronic database publishing service. "We are able to provide online access to smaller databases that the larger database publishing houses wouldn't find profitable."

The paper version of the Christian Periodical Index has been published since 1956. All major doctrinal positions within evangelical Christianity are represented. Currently it indexes more than 100 selected publications ranging from education and health to the social sciences and humanities.

Annual pricing for the CPI web-accessible format is based on the number of users.

    Single-user license $ 700
    2-4 user license $1,000
    5-8 user license $1,400
    Unlimited user license $2,000
Subscribers will be assigned a password or IP access. To subscribe to the database, complete the electronic form on BCR's web site at www.bcr.org/~randd/cpiform.html. Sign up for the free trial in the Comments box.

For more information about the content of the Christian Periodical Index, visit www.acl.org/cpi.htm, ACL's web site. For more information about BCR's Partner Publishing program, visit BCR's web site, www.bcr.org/~randd/partpub.html, or contact Ellen Fox at efox@bcr.org or (303) 751-6277.