A small, private academic library took the risk of moving from a traditional integrated library system to adopting a system "in the cloud." This case study presents the setting, history, and local needs of the library, including staffing challenges, and explains the decision-making rationale and process. A description of the library's transition…

Addresses problems encountered by a library when considering, selecting, and contracting for an automated library system. Topics covered include information needed by the vendor (size of database, volume of transactions, and acceptable response times), reasons why libraries and vendors have failed, and possible solutions. Six sources are given.…

Discussion of the systems development life cycle (SDLC) that supports operational and managerial planning of automation projects covers challenges of library automation, evolution and scope of SDLC, lack of dissemination of SDLC literature within library and information science community, and corrective measures to meet library automation demands.…

Three articles address the relationship between a library and the vendor of its automated system from several points of view: library-initiated vendor abandonment, vendor-initiated abandonment, nonperforming vendor and nonfunctioning system, and changing systems. Acceptance testing and financial, personnel, and legal aspects of vendor abandonment…

This discussion of methods for selecting an integrated, public-access library system highlights the traditional idealized selection model; participation by the library director, consultant, task force, committees, and vendors; fads and cost figures; selection of the wrong system; and suggestions for an informal approach to purchasing. Five sources…

Discussion of issues arising from relations between libraries and vendors of computer systems highlights factors influencing how vendors respond to system problems, how libraries could help themselves, purchasing non-existent systems, integrated system dream, and advice on ameliorating problems once an off-the-shelf software system has been…

Economic pressures on the information industry and on libraries are significantly affecting the nature of services and the organization of work within libraries. These effects are illustrated by three phenomena: emphasis on productivity in libraries, marketing of online database searches through libraries, and the repackaging of library services…

This updated and expanded second edition offers the latest findings and practices for library automation in the 21st century. With a practical, systematic approach, the book covers the entire spectrum of steps and activities involved in the automation process. Although this text does not prescribe a specific system or approach, it offers detailed…

Discusses the feasibility of integrating present library office functions through the use of voice, text, digital, micrographic, facsimile, and related information technologies, and describes the processes and component features of the automated office. (Author/FM)

A feasibility study identified the information requirements and alternative solutions for the Hawaii State Library System. On recommendation of the library service directors, the Book Inventory Building and Library Oriented System (BIBLOS) was purchased and installed. The system presently provides for automated acquisitions, orders, accounts,…

Overview of activities and issues that face library administrators considering automation emphasizes acquisition of turnkey systems. Discussion covers reasons for automating, options available, major marketplace issues, keys to a successful automation project, the Request for Information, the Request for Proposal, evaluation techniques, the…

This review of the process of retrospective conversion (recon)--conversion of existing bibliographic records into machine-readable form--notes options and services (bibliographic utilities, commercial vendors); new technologies (microcomputer and optical-disc-based systems); collaboration and a coordinated recon strategy; cooperative efforts; and…

This essay illustrates a technique for reducing the risks of capital investment decisions involving considerable sums for advanced technologies by considering its application to a problem that arises frequently in selection of automated library systems. Incomplete information, using available information, selecting a system, and consultants are…

The "average" costs of integrated library system components--including hardware, software, and related expenses--are outlined to assist in projecting the costs of a small system. Potential benefits of such systems, i.e., areas in which operational costs can be reduced through their use, are also reviewed. (EJS)

Discusses the processes involved in migrating a library's automation system. Highlights include getting information from vendor demonstrations, setting up an evaluation database to analyze RFPs (requests for proposals), making a spreadsheet that compares costs of packages, making recommendations once the data are analyzed, and implementation…