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The University System of Maryland (USM) is a consortium of academic libraries in Maryland. Of these libraries, 13 share an integrated library system (ILS) and 15 share consortial agreements in commercial database leasing.

MdUSA, Maryland University System Access (to library databases) is the SiteSearch implementation at USM. The Mission of the project is "to provide access through a shared gateway and common interface to scholarly electronic resources for USM faculty, students, and staff of the USM and affiliated institutions".

USM brought up MdUSA in January 1998, with access to a small number of databases. In September we brought up SiteSearch 4.0. Currently we have 80 Z39.50 databases and over 90 nonZ39.50 direct Web links.

Our goal is to provide a one-stop shopping/one-stop searching resource. The first priority has been to provide access to Z39.50 compliant commercial databases. Next was to integrate nonZ39.50 databases as best as possible. We have brought up one local database (i.e. that is resident on-site). Access to our catalogs and to additional local databases are planned for future development. We will also continue to work on problems which we have encountered with Z39.50 access to commercial databases.