Request library software advice

[vawlibrary]

Hello,  
After lurking on WEB4LIB and other diglib listserves and doing my own
research, I'm making a plea for advice.  I have included below: 1) brief
project description, 2) our desired selection criteria, and,  3) "library"
products recommended so far by our consultant.  (I place "library" in
quotations because it is not clear that given our budget, it will be a
"real" library.)

1.  PROJECT DESCRIPTION:  I work for a private national web-based online
project of a non-profit National Domestic Violence organization and am
trying to find a "library" management software product to run on our Dell
Dual Pentium Processor WINNT4.0 OS server.  I am beginning to create small
web-based collections of electronic/digital files to support the work of
domestic violence and sexual assault advocates around the country.  I will
not have a physical library.  These materials will be available to
view/download mostly in HTML, PDF  & ASCII TEXT (papers, brochures,etc.)
but also in other audio (MP3 Public Service Announcements) & image
(posters) files as appropriate.  The materials included in the collections
are mostly acquired by 1) reformatting/creating electronic/digitized
versions of material used by local, state, and national domestic and
sexual violence organizations, or, 2) by linking to preexisting web sites.
I have a staff of 2. Our budget for the new software is  @ $10-20,000.

We are looking for a product that will allow our "library" catalog records
and material file copies to be accessible through a web browser to the
general public. (We are presently a private passworded web-site but will
make collections public next year.)  Presently, my infant "library" has 70
records (yes only 70) in 4 collections (law, periodicals, general,
samples). Catalog records have links to HTML, PDF,TEXT, etc file versions
and to other "related information" on the web. The collections are
presently housed in a heavily modified Lotus Notes Domino discussion
interface with limited search functionality. 

2. SELECTION CRITERIA (in brief):
USER INTERFACE & MANAGEMENT: Web-based interface.  
*Customizable library catalog records (bonus if options for integrating
MARC, Dublin Core, etc. format); 
*Web-based customizing of interface & materials entry options for library
management--preferred but not required; ability to integrate/add other
HTML pages for navigation vs. library records.  Multiple options to
organize library material --collection sorting by key fields (e.g BROWSE
by title, author, material type or state), hierarchical outlines, etc.
*Flat site layout capabilities-little clicking required to get to actual
document (e.g. catalog record and search results list each have live links
directly to any material file versions of html, pdf copy, etc.; "library"
homepage/collection front page can have the basic search and 2-3 browse
options right on it.)
*"what's new" feature with info pulled from system, possibly
auto-changing/rotating with links to follow -- desired but unlikely in our
budget range

SEARCHING - Web-Customizable interface by librarian?
*Search Results page returns a list of linked titles/author with minimal
description and other information (as we choose) per hit. Possibly the
brief description includes a related information link or a link to a
review.
*Search Results page lists count of hits returned after query, how many
shown (e.g lists 1-25 of 180 hits)
*simple Form driven query page to define/limit searching with userfriendly
search interface (e.g. dropdown menus and checkboxes to limit search scope)
*Search scope option preferences:  Natural language and Boolean search
options available; Full-text searching of directories housing material
files, field-limited searching and metadata searching; Sub-searching on
result sets; Date constraint searching; Fuzzy searching (word
approximation)
*Thesaurus: e.g. search by related, broad terms; customize/edit thesuarus
options; automatic thesaurus created from catalog records

HANDLE SYSTEM:  Unique, unchanging URL per library record; High
performance; Scalable; Can add modules over time to increase
functionality; Options to Integrate/communicate with other systems (ODBC,
Z39.50); many File types supported; Importing of file types; if Attaching
of file types, then searching attachments; Can resource be
rendered/imported as HTML?

REPOSITORY (storing primarily PDF & HTML files):  unique URLs per library
material file version; Virus scanning;  Minimal file sizes (what
compression options); options to have library management information about
the file/catalog record visible only to librarian.

3. PRODUCTS RECOMMENDED:  Our computer consultant recommended the
following products and more; I've been reviewing them and have not yet
found a fit.  I keep being recommended library automation products that
seem geared towards a traditional physical library. I don't need
traditional library tracking options like interlibrary loan, circulation
or overdue tracking.  I do need a way to track website usage (downloads,
visits per page, paths taken) but hope to have an inexpensive statistical
software package (maybe Web Trends) to do that. 

1. Library.Solution by TLC  http://www.tlcdelivers.com/tlc/solution/ 
2. Athena Library Automation System by Sagebrush, also MARCit 
http://www.sagebrush-tech.com/
3. Aviator http://www.aviatorsoftware.com -works with Lotus Notes
4. TLC by On Point, Inc.  http://www.onpointinc.com  -uses File Maker Pro
Unlimited
5. UNICORN with Hyperion by SIRSI  http://www.sirsi.com  -looked good, too
expensive $40,000
6. Alchemy Web Server by Computer Data Solutions http://www.imrgold.com
7. Infonautics Online Publishing  http://archives.infonautics.com
8. Net-it Central 3.5  http://www.net-it.com

IF ANYONE has any familiarity with any of these products and would be
willing to email me your impressions (given what I have stated above) OR
if anyone might suggest product(s) you know that I might check out, I
would GREATLY appreciate any advice.  
~Cynthia
______________________________________________
Cynthia Fraser, VAWnet Electronic Resource Specialist
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
E-mail: vawlibrary at pcadv.org  Phone: 800-537-2238
______________________________________________
"I'm not trying to give my life meaning by demeaning you" -Ani DiFranco
______________________________________________