modular library system

[Theo van Veen]

Currently we are in the process of finding a replacement for our
current library system. One special demand or wish is that the new
library system has a modular architecture in such a way that it is
possible to have circulation, acquisitions, serial control en the
OPAC functionality from different vendors. Today most library
systems are functionally single integrated systems. As integration
with the outside world is becoming more and more important it seems
that library systems could become a collection of rather independend
functions (clients and servers) that communicate with each other in
the same way as with the outside world. In such a system it would be
possible to add functions, that make use of existing functionality
(by communicating with these existing functions) without the need to
change the existing functionality.

I would like to know if there are other persons involved in a similar 
process and if one knows of library systems that have an architecture 
as described above. Are there libraries that have already a system 
build of individual components from different vendors?

Theo van Veen
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Th. van Veen
University Library Utrecht
Wittevrouwenstraat 7-11
3512 CS Utrecht
Tel. 030-2536624