Five prominent consultants‐Richard Boss, Susan Baerg Epstein, Rob McGee, Joseph Matthews, and James E. Rush—discuss the three most common mistakes made by librarians involved in…
Abstract
Five prominent consultants‐Richard Boss, Susan Baerg Epstein, Rob McGee, Joseph Matthews, and James E. Rush—discuss the three most common mistakes made by librarians involved in automation. These mistakes are costly in terms of time, money, and functional success. They are made repeatedly; all are avoidable.
Five prominent consultants‐Richard Boss, Susan Baerg Epstein, Rob McGee, Joseph Matthews, and James E. Rush—discuss the most common mistakes vendors make in implementing automated…
Abstract
Five prominent consultants‐Richard Boss, Susan Baerg Epstein, Rob McGee, Joseph Matthews, and James E. Rush—discuss the most common mistakes vendors make in implementing automated systems. Basic problems relate to identification of library needs; communications; delivery dates; inadequate systems; and systems support. Suggestions are made for correcting these problems.
Companies that supply libraries with automation technology are part of the computer‐industry marketplace. However, vendors that serve the library component of this marketplace…
Abstract
Companies that supply libraries with automation technology are part of the computer‐industry marketplace. However, vendors that serve the library component of this marketplace face problems not typical of the industry as a whole. Significant and unique problems include the protracted selection processes employed by libraries, the very slow and drawn‐out payment cycles, the dependence of the libraries on vendors, and the adversarial relationships that frequently exist between the libraries and vendors. These, and related issues, are discussed by representatives of eight prominent automation firms: Joseph R. Matthews (INLEX), James J. Michael (Data Research Associates), Harry Porteous (Geac), Gene Robinson (CLSI), Stephen R. Salmon (Carlyle), Stephen Silberstein (Innovative Interfaces), Phyllis Bova Spies (OCLC Local Systems), and Harriet Valázques (Utlas).
Computer technology continues to evolve and improve at an astonishing rate; and the cost for most computer equipment will continue to decline over time. Now library automation…
Abstract
Computer technology continues to evolve and improve at an astonishing rate; and the cost for most computer equipment will continue to decline over time. Now library automation software, especially software for the online public access catalog, needs to be evolving and improving. It is time for librarians individually and collectively to indicate what improvements they want to see in the “expanding OPAC”. As libraries and vendors begin to work on tomorrow’s systems, we must not lose sight of a basic element of human nature. Zipf’s “Principle of Least Effort” states that “Each individual will adopt a course of action that will involve the expenditure of the probable least average (least effort) of his work.” The time for action is now! It is time to move beyond “the same old systems” into a new era that incorporates impovements of a library’s existing databases, embraces the research results of the information‐seeking process, and makes fundamental improvements by adding new databases. Users need and deserve innovative online search systems! These new systems will, hopefully, convert the frustrated user of today’s OPAC into the eager user of tomorrow’s local library system.
Details
Keywords
Representatives of six prominent library system vendors—Joseph R. Matthews (Inlex), Mike Monahan (Geac), Kelvin Browne (Utlas), Carl Lee (VTLS), Michael J. Mellinger (Data…
Abstract
Representatives of six prominent library system vendors—Joseph R. Matthews (Inlex), Mike Monahan (Geac), Kelvin Browne (Utlas), Carl Lee (VTLS), Michael J. Mellinger (Data Research) and Stephen R. Salmon (Carlyle)—address the key issues related to system performance. From their experiences and perspectives as vendors, they address the issues of 1) designing, configuring and sizing systems, 2) the establishment of performance criteria, 3) the use of benchmark and acceptance tests, 4) the risks of miscalculations, 5) the roles of the vendor, consultant and library, and 6) related topics.
Chris Sugnet, Alison Curtis, Joseph Matthews, Dan Haverkamp, Charles Farley and James Michael
Alison Curtis, Joseph Matthews, Dan Haverkamp, Charles Farley, and James Michael offer their comments on the future of library automation from their perspective as vendors. This…
Abstract
Alison Curtis, Joseph Matthews, Dan Haverkamp, Charles Farley, and James Michael offer their comments on the future of library automation from their perspective as vendors. This forum updates a similar symposium published four years earlier. When read in tandem, the 1985 forum and the 1989 version cover most of the same technologies (CD‐ROM, OPACs, gateways, but not expert systems and FAX) and issues (standards, co‐operation, money) but there is a difference. It is one of emphasis. In 1985 the emphasis seemed to be on the potential of new technologies to solve problems. Today the emphasis is more on the problems to be encountered and conquered if these technologies are to reach their real potential.
As librarians consider adopting an automated circulation system, early tasks will be to 1) scan the literature, and 2) contact librarians who have already been involved in the…
Abstract
As librarians consider adopting an automated circulation system, early tasks will be to 1) scan the literature, and 2) contact librarians who have already been involved in the process. The literature itself repeatedly urges the value of communicating with other libraries and librarians. For this purpose, most books on turnkey systems append a list of the systems and their installations in particular libraries.
The Fred Meyer Charitable Trust, Division of Library and Information Resources for the Northwest, has funded five research projects that will demonstrate the potential of various…
Abstract
The Fred Meyer Charitable Trust, Division of Library and Information Resources for the Northwest, has funded five research projects that will demonstrate the potential of various techniques and new technologies to facilitate communications and resource sharing in the Northwest. The experience and information derived from these projects will be of value to all libraries and information centers, not just those conducting the research. The techniques and technologies being evaluated include: simultaneous remote searching, which uses inexpensive terminals and modems; a mini‐computer‐based union list and resource sharing network (INFONET); networks using facsimile machines; networks that transmit documents that have been optically scanned into bit‐map image files; and use of optical character recognition equipment to capture ASCII machine‐readable information that can be broadcast by television stations to user‐sites. Contributors of reports are: Verl Anderson, Linda Brander, Millard F. Johnson, Jr., Bruce Morton, and Steve Smith. Summary observations are provided by Joseph R. Matthews.
Five prominent consultants look into the future, projecting technological advancements that, in some cases, will enhance current library systems, and in many cases will cause them…
Abstract
Five prominent consultants look into the future, projecting technological advancements that, in some cases, will enhance current library systems, and in many cases will cause them to become obsolete. Major trends include advances in mainframe and microcomputing technology, the development of inexpensive local area networks and telecommunications gateways, and the advent of (mass) optical storage.
Denise Kaplan, Joseph R. Matthews, William Horton, Karen Markey Drabenstott, Charles R. Hildreth, Katharina Klemperer, Lare Mischo, K.T. Noerr and Marilee Winiarski
Most second‐generation online catalogs give libraries some capability to customize help messages, screen displays, and system prompts. Microcomputer applications designed or…
Abstract
Most second‐generation online catalogs give libraries some capability to customize help messages, screen displays, and system prompts. Microcomputer applications designed or mounted locally may offer even more flexibility. Commercially available information systems offer the user some type of assistance, even when not totally profitable. The librarian has become an active, if not always willing, participant in the design of his or her system's user interface. Knowledge of both patrons and collections can have direct bearing on the structure and effectiveness of the library's automated system, its interface, and online help features.