Library Automation Software By Leslie Dunn

ILS 506-01

3-28-07

Choosing the most appropriate software for your library: The ease and effectiveness with which

you can create a usable and effective database for your users

How easy or difficult it is to set up and maintain

The hardware that you have available or can purchase to run it

The number of simultaneous users you expect to serve

Choosing software continued: The amount and quality of technical

support and service upon which you can rely (either in-house or commercial)

The overall cost (including any server purchase or upgrade, technical support, the cost of the software, etc.)

(Tennant, Roy. “A Database for Every Need” 1999)

Other critical options that should be considered: Reliability (ask

around, speak to colleagues in other libraries/schools)

How attractive/ awkward the layout is (consider your patrons)

Impact on student learning

Software weaknesses (Does the software company allow for customer feedback to improve future products?)

Vendor relationships Expanded

capabilities: e.g. cross-references, bibliographies, reports, etc.

How can cataloging software assist when it comes to finances? Follett Library Services for schools. Can analyze a library’s collections once they

have obtained the school’s MARC records. Provides hard data to support reasons for

acquiring updated resources and requesting funding for their library.

Houston, Texas, Jim Hundemer, manager of library services for the school district was able to use Follett’s data to present a report to his district’s superintendent, who in turn provided him with $2 million to update Houston’s collection.

(Minkel, 2001)

Recognized Cataloging Software for School Media Centers TLC (The Library Corporation) – used

by the New Haven Public School System http://www.tlcdelivers.com/

Sagebrush – Athena and InfoCentre http://www.sagebrushcorp.com/

Book System’s Concourse Project http://www.booksys.com/

Follett – Destiny *** (most widely used) http://www.fsc.follett.com/

Library Automation Costshttp://www.rlwconsulting.com/consulting/automationcosts.html

Software Integrated Library System, Multi-User

  Unison Circulation Plus/Catalog Plus, Multi-User (Follett Software Company)4,260

  Annual maintenance after 1st year: 480

  Spectrum CIRC/CAT (Winnebago Software Company), Standalone3,490

 plus, Multi-User Licensing (up to 5 simultaneous users)

500

 or plus, Multi-User Licensing (unlimited users)

995

  Annual maintenance after 1st year: 450

  Athena (circulation/catalog, Nichols Advanced Technologies), Multi-User3,995

  Annual maintenance after 1st year: 395

Free software? http://www.librarycom.com/ Free (for one seat – each additional

seat $50 annually). Lets libraries set up circulation,

cataloging, patron management with no software installation.

Beyond the school media center: Library management software:http://www.shambles.net/pages/staff/libsoft/default2.asp

Link to a number of automated library systems:

http://www.itcompany.com/inforetriever/sys.htm Library automation costs:http://www.rlwconsulting.com/consulting/automationcosts.html

In conclusion . . .

Convincing administration to purchase software:

Provide hard data that overtime the software will improve student achievement

AND SAVE MONEY!!!