September 12, 2002 

Wireless Access to COAST is introduced

In partnership with the Innovative Interfaces library automation corporation, the CSULB Library is introducing wireless access to COAST via a system called AirPAC.  AirPAC is a library catalog interface designed for wireless devices.  With AirPAC, the handheld device (Internet-enabled cell phones or PDAs) becomes a searching tool with which users can issue COAST searches from anywhere.  AirPAC frees COAST users from the desktop and allows library catalog interaction by students, faculty and staff in transit, in classrooms, or browsing the stacks of the Library itself.  COAST AirPAC users will be able to browse live catalog data, check item availability in real time, or look up call numbers.

AirPAC uses XML technology to deliver the next generation of COAST access: from virtually anywhere at any time.  Innovative Interface's XML server outputs COAST data in response to HTTP requests issued from Web browsing software on the handheld device. XML documents are then transformed into HTML pages specifically formatted for display on Palm-powered devices or cellular phones.  AirPAC supports both Web clipping applications such as the OmniSky browser and wireless Web browsers such as EudoraWeb running on devices which use the Palm Operating System.

In order to use this service you must have a PDA configured for wireless access and you must have access to a wireless service.  To use COAST AirPAC, point your Internet-enabled cell phone or PDA to http://coast.library.csulb.edu:6060/airpac.