Open DRA Net allows a software program running on one computer to communicate directly with a program or database running on another computer regardless of the hardware platform. Through an Internet connection to DRA, NYPL has access to, among other things, the Library of Congress MARC database, the Library of Congress authorities databases, the databases of other libraries and those of a number of commercial vendors. The benefits of such a network for public service is clear.
Patrons have access to remote databases such as other library catalogues and periodical indexes.
However, the potential for use in the cataloguing environment is also tremendous. Technical services staff saw immediately that the problems listed above could be virtually eliminated if Open DRA Net were adopted as NYPL's primary cataloguing tool. Staff foresaw that bibliographic records could be downloaded from other databases, particularly the LC database. In addition, the entire cataloguing process could be conducted from one terminal, material could be handled once rather than several times, and turnaround time could be reduced dramatically. Cost reductions would be substantial.