Library Vendors Research Articles

Online Vector Library Index (OLVLI)

Providing information to clients in a thorough, timely and cost-effective manner is the established quality goal of 3M's Information Services department. The department consists of eight Technical Libraries, a Business Information Service, an Engineering and Vendor Library, a Patent and Technical Communication Service, a Current Awareness Service, and an Infromation Service Library in Austin, Texas.

CD‐ROM Public Access Catalogs: Database Creation and Maintenance

Preparation of bibliographic data for the production of CD‐ROM public access catalogs (PACs) requires several services: merging records from various vendors or libraries, the elimination of duplicate records, the identification and decoding of holdings information, updating the database (often in an offline mode), and authority control. The nature of specific CD‐ROM catalogs affects the priorities for processing the database. For example, some systems exploit controlled vocabulary and cross references, making subject authority critical. Others provide powerful Boolean searching on key words derived from all parts of the bibliographic record; as a result, the need for quality control checks beyond those typically provided by library vendors is increased. This article identifies the services and processes offered by seven vendors that provide CD‐PACs and one vendor that processes MARC bibliographic databases.

Serials automation options: Stand-alone vs. integrated systems

Tonkery is chief executive officer at Readmore Publications, Inc., New York, NY. Johnson is manager of microsystems at Readmore. The current view in library automation is that the integrated library system offers the best solution to meeting the various needs of the total library community. While this may be true for the online catalog and circulation functions, an integrated system may not offer the best solution for the control and management of a serials collection. In order to understand the rationale for maintaining a separate system for serials, it is important to discuss the history and current practice of library automation vendors in support of serials automation and to offer some thoughts on when to consider a stand-alone microcomputer serials processing system. In the past, library vendors such as CLSI and GEAC developed circulation systems that were sold to libraries to solve problems in the public service area. These systems were an early attempt at inventory control, responded to the growing pressures in public services, and were based on a limited bibliographic record. The demand for better circulation systems was soon felt by all vendors as the library community became more knowledgeable and demanded systems that met standards. Most of the vendors' early research and development was devoted to giving circulation modules more features and enabling them to handle more terminals and online transactions. The circulation vendors soon found that the requirements for academic and public libraries varied greatly and that two distinct systems were required. Some vendors shifted their emphasis to the large public libraries and withdrew from the academic library marketplace. The concept of market-specific requirements was firmly established; vendors aban-

Education and Automation—Present and Future Concerns

The automation process has a tendency to reveal strengths and weaknesses in a library, its management style, its organizational structure, and the abilities of its staff members. What are the educational and training requirements needed by professional librarians to manage effectively the automation process? This question is discussed by representatives of five major library vendors: Michel Ridgeway and Dean Gattone (Geac), Alison Curtis, (Utlas), Susan Olson (OCLC), James J. Michael (Data Research Associates), and Gene Robinson (CLSI). They stress the need for a solid foundation in management and communication skills, and a commitment to continuing education. Technology changes so rapidly that detailed knowledge of a current system is less important than knowing how to evaluate the capabilities of a future system.