"Regional Automation Program" is a commonly used short term to describe a statewide program with a mouthfilling title: Regional Bibliographic Data Bases and Interlibrary Resources Sharing Program (also known as RBDB). The program was enacted in legislation in Chapter 348 of the Laws of 1984. Unlike some LILRC programs designed specially for member libraries, this program is regional in nature and its benefits apply to all libraries in the region providing they are members of systems.

LILRC administers RBDB funds for the benefit of the region. An annual application for funds must be submitted to the Division of Library Development (DLD) in Albany, as well as a final report on how the grant was implemented. The Regional Automation Committee (RAC) advises on the annual plans and applications; final responsibility lies with the Board of Trustees.

Based on the OCLC CONTENTdm technology, the newly initiated Regional Digitization Program is fully supported by RBDB funding.

Support is also provided for LILRC's Internet Service in effect since 1995. Funding is allocated for Internet and telecommunications services, providing free Webmail accounts for libraries.

Funding for retrospective conversion is allocated to enable the Nassau School Library System, Eastern and Western Suffolk BOCES School Library System to continue building and expanding their online union catalogs.

Funds are allocated to support an array of continuing education programs. In addition to computer courses, networking and telecommunication technology training, workshops on the latest standards, protocols, and developments in library and information technology are offered in the region.

For more information on the Regional Automation Program, please contact the LILRC Regional Automation Coordinator Min Liu at (631) 675-1569 or by email at minliu@lilrc.org.