[SLA-SF] Question for SF-SLA Digest

[Deb Hunt]

I'm also cc'ing the list on this as it's a good discussion to have.
This was the same topic in a recent discussion on the SLA KABC  
listserv (architecture/engineering librarians) and was timely as I  
just finished a consulting project evaluating software for a client.
Below Daniel's email is the email that summarized all the input on  
off the shelf software plus an additional resource I submitted.
I found it easiest to create a table listing all the features I was  
looking for down the left column and then all the software vendors  
and their products across the top. That way you can keep track of who  
offers what.

Costs vary of course, but there are some great packages out there  
that don't have to be homegrown, that are reasonable.
Deb


***
On Apr 9, 2006, at 2:37 PM, Daniel Holmes wrote:

It has come time for me to help a small corporate library pick some  
software.  So I am hoping some of you have some suggestions of what  
to look at.  Here are my general needs, without spending an arm and a  
leg.

1.  FileMaker or other implementation of a library catalog with  
limited fields with links to digital items in various text and  
graphical formats.

2.  FileMaker or other implementation of a full-featured authorized  
terms thesaurus - UF, BT, NT, RT and possibly with links into the  
catalog for seaching.  Need a tool that allows building the  
thesaurus, searching the thesaurus, and picking selected terms for  
searches in the catalog.

Thanks everyone for your interest.  Please respond to Dan Holmes,  
Geographer and Librarian,  dholmes at sierranevada.org

***
And, just reading Gary Price's latest Resource Shelf update, he  
mentions Marshall Breeding's excellent listing of automation vendors at:
http://tinyurl.com/o6nv4

According to the site:
This unique database of library companies provides the most up-to- 
date and comprehensive listing of companies that develop and market  
library automation systems. To be included in this resource, the  
company must offer a fully integrated library system, not just a  
single module other library-related services.

Each listing includes all the basic contact information about the  
company, the names of the products they offer. When available we also  
list the names and positions of the executive management of the  
company, and all business mergers and acquisitions that the company  
has experienced. Buttons are provided that automatically provide  
information related to each company from other LTG resources. You can  
easily see what libraries listed in lib-web-cats use the products of  
each company, read all press releases from the LTG News Release  
Archive, and citations or documents from the LTG Bibliography.

Deb

On Mar 3, 2006, at 2:08 PM, Krista Mercer wrote:

To sum up our recent discussion of off-the-shelf summary, we heard  
about the following three options:
1) Koha, www.koha.org - currently used by Nancy Collander of WD Partners
Koha is the first open-source Integrated Library System (ILS).  In  
use worldwide, its development is steered by a growing community of  
libraries collaborating to achieve their technology goals.  Nancy  
added that this product is available at a very reasonable price.

Implementation support for this product was provided by LibLime,  
http://liblime.com/c/company.html, which develops and markets  
affordable and customizable open-source library technology  
solutions.  LibLime also provides full vendor services on these  
software products including:  migration assistance, staff training,  
and sofware maintenance, support, and development.  Nancy reported  
that the staff is very knowledgeable.

2) EOS.web, www.eosintl.com/Solutions/Corporate.aspx - currently used  
by Marlene Vogelsang of Pacific Energy Center
EOS.web is a web-based module that allows librarians to integrate  
print, digital, media content, and more.  This module allows users to  
build a non-standard MARC catalog record to accommodate different  
indexed fields (for example, the fields for cataloging according to  
the MasterFormat standard).  The EOS.web sytem can be managed in- 
house or by a hosted service (which maintains all the system IT  
upgrades, maintenance, etc.).  Marlene observed that she had been  
very satisfied with both the software and the customer support.  For  
more information, contact Glenn Reidway, greidway at eosintl.com.

3) LibraryCom, www.librarycom.com - currently used by Elizabeth  
Meylor of HGA
LibraryCom will soon be changing its name to LibraryWorld.  It is a  
web-based application service designed to automate a wide variety of  
libraries. The website allows you to preview the service for up to 30  
days for free, then select the service level which meets your storage  
requirements.

Elizabeth noted that this product doesn't have all the "bells and  
whistles," but that for the money it has served her needs well.  She  
further reported that the data now in her LibraryCom catalog was  
uploaded from an Access database.

Finally, Deb Hunt of Exploratorium recommended that we look at the  
Survey of Library Automation Systems in Use at Various Libraries,  
available at the SLA Solo Librarians Division:  http://www.sla.org/ 
division/dsol/resources/autosurv.htm

Thanks again for all the recommendations, everyone!

Krista Mercer
Research Information Center
krista.mercer at callison.com

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________________________
Deborah Hunt
Senior Information Specialist
Exploratorium
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Voice: 415-353-0485
Fax:   415-561-0370
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"The scarcest resource is not oil, metals, clean air, capital, labor,  
or technology. It is our willingness to listen to each other and  
learn from each other and to seek the truth rather than seek to be  
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(1941-2001)