Coming online with the NRPA/SCHOLE network.

One of the primary reasons associations exist is to gather and distribute information about a particular industry, and there's no exception in the parks, recreation and leisure services field. As association members become more sophisticated users of available information sources, they will expect their association to keep pace with current technology.

When meeting your everyday information needs, begin with the NRPA/SCHOLE[TM] Network. NRPA/ SCHOLE, available on an annual subscription basis, links the parks and recreation community worldwide by computer. Now in its third year of operation, the network is recognized as a primary source of communications, news and information within the field, with users representing every facet of the parks, recreation and leisure service industry.

NRPA/SCHOLE (sko-lay) is more than a vehicle linking people and information by computer. An interactive information network, NRPA/ SCHOLE allows endless opportunities for communication, education and exchange. Sponsored by NRPA in cooperation with Boston University, the network integrates information and education with state-of-the-art telecommunications technology. Now part of Delphi[TM], one of the nation's leading information and communications services, NRPA/ SCHOLE offers a 30-day unconditional money-back guarantee.

Special Network Features

The NRPA/SCHOLE Network is a menu-driven system that includes 12 specialized options from which a user may choose. With assistance from various divisions within NRPA, such as Public Policy, Professional Services, Marketing and Communications, Membership, and Convention Services, most features are updated on a daily basis to provide the latest information available from the field. Network features include:

* Electronic Mail--Private mail service and teleconferencing puts you in touch with colleagues instantly.

* Forum--Get the answers you need, when you need them on this interactive online bulletin board. More than 500 individual questions and responses have been exchanged on the network. Topics have ranged from requests for information on computer software to agency policies regarding alcohol consumption within recreational facilities to information on trail maintenance and design.

* Legislation anti Public Policy--Timely updates of federal legislative action and initiatives. We have posted more than 450 national legislative announcements since July 1991, including updates on appropriations for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Urban Park and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) program, and preservation of natural lands on military installations that were closed under the Defense Department realignment. Many of these updates were not available through any means other than NRPA/SCHOLE.

* National Employment Bulletin--We provide the biweekly National Job Bulletin free to NRPA/SCHOLE members. More than 1,500 employment opportunities and internships have been available over the network since July 1991. Updates are generally posted no less than two weeks before the publication date of a particular issue. For example, the June 15 edition of the job bulletin was available by about June 1 on NRPA/SCHOLE.

* NRPA Marketplace and Bookstore--Don't just wait for the next publications catalog! Search our database electronically for the latest publications, training and information videotapes, and other products for sale by NRPA. All items can be ordered online.

* Announcements--Scan this section for the latest news about grant, foundation and other funding sources, awards programs, NRPA services, NRPA Congress information and schedule updates, and much, much more.

* Conference and Workshops Plan your professional development calendar with this up-to-date listing of national, regional and state conferences and workshops. This listing is a combination of the NRPA Professional Development and National Therapeutic Recreation Society calendars, with many additional listings that are not available in any single comprehensive listing.

* Research in Progress-- Keep abreast of the latest funding sources with hundreds of grant and foundation sources that are available within Research in Progress. Utilizing a keyword searchable format, your next project grant could be just moments away. Additionally, hundreds of references to NRPA journals and periodicals are available here. Plan your research using full abstracts from articles and entries of the Journal of Leisure Research, Therapeutic Recreation Journal, Recreation and Parks Law Reporter, Legal Issues in Recreation Administration, Parks & Recreation, and the Park Practice Programs-Design, Grist and

Complete entries are available for calendar years 1990 through 1993 of these publications, with new issues appearing online as they become available.

Entree to Information Resources

In 1992, the NRPA Resource Development Division processed more than 1,400 individual information queries. We received the bulk of these questions over the telephone, through written correspondence and through the NRPA/ SCHOLE Network's electronic mail and NRPA ISAR Database Request options.

Thousands of information resources are available within the Resource Development Division, which includes the automated ISAR System Database, Publications Center, Joseph Lee Memorial Library, and Archives. With the online NRPA ISAR Database Request option, information queries received online from network subscribers are processed free of charge. Additionally, network subscribers also enjoy instantaneous response from NRPA via electronic mail--there are no missed or unreturned telephone calls. Non-subscribers to the network and the general public may use NRPA resources on a "fee-for-service" basis only.

Like the NRPA/SCHOLE option Research in Progress, the state-of-the-art ISAR System provides complete references and abstracts to articles in Parks & Recreation, Journal of Leisure Research, Therapeutic Recreation Journal, Recreation and Parks Law Reporter, Legal Issues in Recreation Administration, Programmer's Information Network, and the Park Practice Programs-- Design Grist, Trends, and many other publications, videotapes and audio cassettes. The system also contains non-print media, individual and agency references.

Delphi[TM] Network

Despite the perceived autonomy of the name NRPA/SCHOLE Network, the system is actually found within a larger online system, Delphi. Delphi is a full-service communications, information and entertainment network with members throughout the United States and in over 40 countries. When you join NRPA/SCHOLE, you also join Delphi. By using Delphi's vast resources, you will have access to:

* E-mail exchange with systems such as the Internet, CompuServe, America Online, AT&T Mail, MCI Mail and AppleLink.

* Gateways to grant and foundation sources through DIALOG[TM]

* UPI newswire

* Thousands of free downloadable programs, including the latest applications for Windows, Macintosh and many others.

* Travel Services.

* Electronic encyclopedias.

* Special interest groups, including: computers, environmental issues and business.

Link to the Internet

Through NRPA/SCHOLE and Delphi you also have the most comprehensive access to the Internet offered by any online network. The Internet is a worldwide linkup of thousands of big computers at companies, government installations and educational institutions that have agreed to set aside some of their mainframe storage space and files for sharing with others.

Started in the 1970s by the Defense Department and the National Science Foundation to link researchers so they could share information, the Internet has exploded into a global database of information, with an estimated five to seven million users worldwide. It has also become a vital communication network that virtually links the entire computer, business, government, education and research worlds. However, there is one small drawback about connecting directly to the Internet--the cost. A direct link to the Internet may cost as much as $5,000 a year or more, making it prohibitive to many small libraries, information systems,. associations and other organizations.

As of this writing, from systems such as America Online, Prodigy, CompuServe or GEnie, there is complete electronic mail exchange capability with the Internet. However, Delphi takes the Internet a step further. With Delphi you are not just limited to electronic mail exchange with the Internet as you are with above-mentioned networks. You can actually link your personal computer with mainframes and minicomputer systems around the world and read and download an unimaginably diverse range of files. By using the Telnet option, you can enter instructions to access thousands of computer systems with businesses, educational institutions and research facilities worldwide. Once hooked up, you can instruct each Internet address, or "node," to display its directory of public files. You can then download files using "FTP" to obtain an amazing variety of text files, graphics and other software programs. Through Delphi, you can take advantage of the power and convenience of the Internet without the costs associated with it.

1992 NRPA/SCHOLE Subscriber Survey Results

The NRPA/SCHOLE Network currently has more than 425 individual subscribers representing more than 250 individual park and recreation agencies nationwide, most of which are in the public sector. A survey of subscribers was conducted in mid1992. The following results are based on a return of 106 questionnaires out of a total of 300 distributed:

* Exactly 50 percent of agencies utilizing NRPA/SCHOLE are municipal of county park and recreation agencies. The balance of agencies include colleges and universities (11 percent), state park and recreation agencies (ten percent), federal park and recreation agencies (eight percent), conservation districts, commercial recreation agencies, armed forces, NRPA regional offices and state affiliates, consultants and students.

* Nearly one-half (40 percent) of all users are either directors or assistant directors of public recreation and park agencies. The balance of subscribers include park planners (11 percent), educators (seven percent), MIS (five percent), therapeutic recreation specialists, military recreation personnel, park maintenance personnel and landscape architects.

* The majority of users strongly agree that the various features of the NRPA/SCHOLE Network are useful and applicable to the field of parks and recreation. In fact, 75 percent of users agree that news and information found within the network is timely and useful. Additionally, almost 90 percent of users feel that continued demonstrations of the network will help educate individuals and increase the total number of subscribers.

* Several reasons were identified as to why individuals subscribe to the NRPA/SCHOLE Network. The eight highest rated responses were:

* to develop professional contacts in the field

* to expedite communications between field contacts and colleagues

* to increase the opportunity for information sharing and exchange

* to keep informed of news and legislative issues

* to learn of employment opportunities through the National Job Bulletin

* to have access to NRPA technical assistance staff

* to assist in gathering information for research projects

* to use as a student aid

* Nearly 50 percent of users access the system only once a week, while an additional 25 percent of all users access the system up to three times each week. The system does not need to be utilized every day to provide all the benefits associated with instantaneous news, information and communication.

* The average monthly bill for online use was found to be less than initially expected--81 percent of users have a monthly online usage bill of $20 or less, and 35 percent of the same group has a monthly online usage bill of $10 or less.

* An overwhelming majority of subscribers (74 percent) believe the annual subscription rates and monthly online charges are reasonably priced. Additionally, 80 percent of subscribers said they would recommend NRPA/SCHOLE to other individuals and also agree that NRPA section, branch and state leadership should subscribe to it.

What Do You Need to Access the NRPA/SCHOLE Network?

To access the NRPA/SCHOLE Network, all you need is a computer, a modem, communications software and a telephone line. You do not need a dedicated phone line. The typical subscription/activation process to NRPA/SCHOLE is as follows:

1. Forward network subscription form to NRPA. You may provide payment at that time for the annual subscription fee or indicate that you would like NRPA to send an invoice. See the last page of this article for an order form.

2. After we receive your subscription form, we will send you an activation form. When completing the activation form, you will indicate your choice of network username(s), as well as verify your billing address.

3. Upon receipt of your completed activation form, we will activate your account. At that time, we will give you your approved network username(s), a temporary password to log on to the system for the first time, a local telephone number for accessing the network, instructions for logging on to the network, a network user manual and a current directory of network subscribers. NRPA technical support staff are available to help those users who may have trouble logging on to NRPA/SCHOLE.

How Much Does it Cost to Subscribe?

There are two separate costs involved with subscribing to NRPA/ SCHOLE Network and Delphi, an annual subscription fee and monthly online charges. The annual subscription fee is assessed by NRPA and monthly online charges are assessed by General Videotex Corporation, the host organization of the Delphi Network and NRPA/ SCHOLE.

Individual accounts to NRPA/ SCHOLE consist of a single network username. Agency accounts consist of a single primary account with up to three additional secondary accounts. Since you get into the network through a local telephone number, secondary accounts do not have to be at the same location. However, annual and monthly billing will come to a single common address. Additional secondary accounts are $35 each. NRPA member agencies may subscribe to the network for an individual account. Annual subscription fees to the NRPA/SCHOLE as follows:

  NRPA  Non-NRPA
                        Member Member
Individual Account      $ 50   $ 75
Agency Account          $150   $225
Student Account         $ 30   $ 45

Primary network accounts are assessed a $10 monthly fee, which is applied to the first four hours of online usage each month. Online usage beyond four hours is $4/hour. Secondary accounts are billed at a rate of $4/hour and are not assessed a monthly fee. All accounts are subject to an additional $9/hour telecom charge that is applied during weekly, daytime usage. This $9/ hour charge is prorated at 15/ minute. A $3.50/month fee is assessed primary accounts that are billed directly. This fee is not assessed accounts paid by credit card or deposit account. A breakdown of monthly online usage rates appears in Figure 1.

Future Plans

This spring, the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Services made arrangements with NRPA to link more than 100 individual installations from across the United States via NRPA/SCHOLE. These installations will be joining the network in a staggered format between July and September, 1993. This link will open channels to military recreation providers that were once almost non-existent to the civilian world.

Whether we like it or not, the information age is here to stay. Time is of the essence in most professions, and the parks, recreation and leisure service field is no exception. The difference between having an answer today or having it tomorrow could decide whether a project will move forward or be cast aside because of a lack of information. Whether it's searching for project funding sources, the latest national legislative information, a new employment opportunity, or simply just checking the latest award winners, the NRPA/SCHOLE Network is a growing online computer system that holds great promise for the future of communications and information exchange in the parks and recreation profession.

If you would like additional information on the NRPA/SCHOLE Network or other information resources available from NRPA, contact the NRPA Resource Development Division at [phone], or send e-mail to NRPA/SCHOLE Network username: NRPA or Internet address "[e-mail]."