1. Library System from the Point of View of a System Manager Kaija Jääskeläinen
Library

2. Library Systems at TUT Library
The own system Sesam was introduced 1983.
The first integrated library system was purchased to all Finnish university libraries twenty years ago.
In TUT’s library the first integrated library system (VTLS) was implemented in 1992, HP 3000 at TUT.
The second one (Voyager) was implemented in 2001 and the servers were outsourced to CSC.
From the start we decided to take the systems as they were, we have not customized them.
We integrated the library with the system, not vice versa.
All possible self service functions were introduced from the start, ie. renewals.

3. Library as a Part of the Consortium: Pros
The same software in all university libraries has increased the cooperation between libraries.
The project leaders, system managers and members of functional committees has regular meetings, they know each other.
It is always easier to ask a person you know, if you have some problems in your own system.
The guidance of the customers can be done using the same basic material.
Multilingual databases, translations are done centralized.
New versions are tested in the National Library before updates.
Updates are done by CSC.

4. Library as a Part of the Consortium: Cons
As a part of the consortium we have to accept some decisions, even if they are not very satisfactory to us.
For instance the updates are mostly done either summer or at Christmas or at Easter, because the biggest student library in Finland can not close the library during terms.
Division of expenses is also a compromise.

5. Cooperation is Power!
But cooperation is power and it helps also in system management.
Resource sharing saves money.
Linnea Consortium of twenty university libraries carries more weigth than one university alone.