You may not exactly feel like Tom Cruise…but you can accomplish this mission!!

Library Automation = Integrated Library System (ILS) What do you need to know before purchasing a new ILS for a small library?

#1 - No Fear Allowed!

You dont have to understand how an engine works to purchase or operate a car

#2 - Decide what modules you need for your ILS OPAC Cataloging Circulation Acquisitions Material Booking Reports

There is NO perfect ILS software #3 - Decide what is most important module to your library

Working with the vendors Multiple vendor demonstrations Asking for bids from vendors Reviewing bids - understanding the contents Selecting a vendor

#4 – Reading Reviews – A Critical step Expert review of all ILS Library Journal article every April by Marshall Breeding Latest for 2009 Investing in The Future: Automation Marketplace html?industryid=47136

Policies (or parameters) Barcodes Hardware purchase or ASP Data Migration Consulting services Training Going live #5 - Creating a reasonable timeline to complete the Journey

Certain policies (or parameters) will be requested by vendor Library Material types Locations (or Collections) Reading level Genre

Who needs the location noted? Library Staff Patrons

Tell patron where an item may be found in the library Dewey Decimal or LC System Why dont book stores use Dewey Decimal? Location Policies

ILS Location Policy OPACs – locations noted? Dewey Decimal and/or a real location noted in software?

#6 - So if OPAC is most important… Make time to evaluate and match your librarys signage to the location information on your OPAC

Barcodes

Evaluating your barcodes How many digits does your current barcode have? Is the whole barcode in your data or just in the display?

More about barcodes 14 digit is the standard Smart barcodes or dumb (also called random or generic) barcodes best for you? Location of barcodes and why Codabar or Code 39 desirable

Barcode format Digits: Meaning: Item or patron (3 for items and 2 for patrons) Institution number Item or Patron Identification Number Check Digit

#7 – So if you need time to re-barcode your items – add it to your timeline

? What are YOU moving to your new ILS? Data Migration

The World of Data

Minimum = 2 record types BibliographicUser

MARC Bibliographic Record.010. |a |aStevens, Joseph L |aImpact of Federal legislation and programs on private land in urban and metropolitan development|c[by] Joseph L. Stevens |aNew York,|bPraeger|c[1972]

MARC Record (cont.).300. |a2 v.|c25 cm |aPraeger special studies in U.S. economic, social, and political issues.504. |aBibliography: p |aHousing|zUnited States|xLaw |aCity planning and redevelopment law|zUnited States.

MARC Record (cont.).949. |aKF5729.S7|vVOL 1|wLC |c1| |lSTACKS|mMA IN|tBOOK|u4/12/ |aKF5729.S7|vVOL 2 |wLC|c1|i |lSTACKS |mMAIN|tBOOK|u4/12/89

User Record Formats FORM=LDUSER.USER_ID. |a USER_ALT_ID. |a USER_ROUTING_FLAG. |aY.USER_TITLE. |aMs..USER_NAME. |aBlair, Mary..USER_LIBRARY. |aEastwood FORM=LDUSER.USER_ID. |a USER_ALT_ID. |a USER_ROUTING_FLAG. |aY.USER_TITLE. |aMs..USER_NAME. |aBlair, Mary..USER_LIBRARY. |aEastwood

User Record Format (cont.).USER_PROFILE. |aADULT-RES.USER_ACCESS. |aPUBLIC.USER_ENVIRONMENT. |aGENERIC.USER_CATEGORY1. |aFemale.USER_CATEGORY2. |aADULT.USER_PIN. |aMLB.USER_CLAIMS_RET. |a3.USER_PROFILE. |aADULT-RES.USER_ACCESS. |aPUBLIC.USER_ENVIRONMENT. |aGENERIC.USER_CATEGORY1. |aFemale.USER_CATEGORY2. |aADULT.USER_PIN. |aMLB.USER_CLAIMS_RET. |a3 User Record Formats (cont.)

.USER_MAILINGADDR. |a1.USER_ADDR1_BEGIN..STREET. |a632 Petaluma Avenue.CITY/STATE. |aBirmingham, AL.ZIP. |a35210.HOMEPHONE. |a USER_ADDR1_END..USER_MAILINGADDR. |a1.USER_ADDR1_BEGIN..STREET. |a632 Petaluma Avenue.CITY/STATE. |aBirmingham, AL.ZIP. |a35210.HOMEPHONE. |a USER_ADDR1_END. User Record Formats User Record Formats (cont.)

User Record Formats User Record Formats (cont.) USER_ADDR2_BEGIN..WORKPHONE. |a USER_ADDR2_END..USER_BIRTH_DATE. |a USER_XINFO_BEGIN..NOTE. |aVolunteers for SRP.USER_XINFO_END. USER_ADDR2_BEGIN..WORKPHONE. |a USER_ADDR2_END..USER_BIRTH_DATE. |a USER_XINFO_BEGIN..NOTE. |aVolunteers for SRP.USER_XINFO_END.

#8 – Do not assume - Make sure all data is in your listed in your contract Bibliographic (title) Item User (patron) Charges Bills Vendor Serial Checkin

What are the advantages of SaaS, ASP, or vendor hosted ILS?

Backups – Daily, weekly, monthly? Trouble shoot hardware problems? Comp

Perform upgrades to new releases? Replace hardware as needed?

ASP – Application Service Provider SaaS- Software as a Service Vendor hosted ILS Compute

#10 – Pitfalls to Avoid

Written Plan detailing all tasks Take all the training offered by vendor Weed Profusely

14 digit barcodes Signage All data listed

Your ILS is only a tool

Good Luck on your Journey!