University Park, PA -- The Penn State University Libraries are sponsoring the video conference "The Open Archival Information System (OAIS) Imperative: Enduring Record or Digital Dust?" on Friday, April 19, 2002, noon–2:00 p.m., in 514 Paterno Library, on Penn State's University Park campus.

The conference is the second in a series of three satellite video conferences, titled "Steering by Standards," presented by the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC). The series is designed to help librarians and other information professionals face the challenges of charting new organizational directions that incorporate emerging standards for electronic resource sharing. Gaining insight into these global initiatives will help information technology leaders make effective decisions as they respond locally.

The conference is by hosted by Meg Bellinger, vice president of OCLC's Digital and Preservation Resources. The featured speaker is Donald Sawyer, head of NASA's Science Office of Standards and Technology. Information specialists are exploring OAIS as one option for preserving and maintaining access to digital information. The conference will discuss how the system works and its potential impact on many areas including digital libraries, the space sciences community, scientific data centers, and others.

Each video conference brings together recognized standards experts and practitioners with work-related issues. The audience will have an opportunity to interact with them during the programs. The host will facilitate discussion among all participants.

The series is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Judy Hewes, assistant to the department head, Cataloging Services, Penn State University Libraries, at jjh@psulias.psu.edu or 814-865-1755.