[WEB4LIB] Re: Do We Still Need Online Catalog Vendors?

[Peter Schlumpf]

Throwing in my 2 cents in response to this...

Designing any fully functional automated library system is not simple, that is
true.  Anyone attempting this should be aware of that.  Those who thinks
otherwise are fooling themselves.  However, that by itself does not mean that
such a task is necessarily impossible for anyone other than a commercial systems
vendor.

Also, issue of scale is brought up.  A "home grown" system (or any system for
that matter) doesn't need to serve the needs of 64 academic libraries in order
to be useful to *somebody*.  There are many, many other libraries out there
whose needs could be met by a system of a much smaller scale and level of
complexity than that.  The scenario described probably hits the top end of any
systems available, commercial or home-grown.

There is nothing wrong with attempting to design a library system from the
ground up. Though it isn't necessarily easy, that shouldn't discourage anyone
away from doing it.  I say this having taken my share of programming and
database courses in my undergraduate years in computer science.

--
Peter Schlumpf
Information Systems Specialist
North Suburban Library System
schlumpf at nslsilus.org


Drew, Bill wrote:

> As a systems librarian for almost 10 years, I must speak my 2 cents worth.
> The library system is NOT just a OPAC anymore.  It includes circulation,
> serials control, course reserve, authority control, maybe media booking, and
> probably acquisitions.  One anyone like to design such a system from the
> ground up?  Would you care to design one that also would allow 64 college
> campuses to be searched at the same time and to eventually share state wide
> circulation as well as ILL?  That is what has been done by ExLibris.  The
> State University of New York is almost finished with contract negotiations
> with them.  CUNY (City University of NY) will also be using the same system.
> No home grown system would accomplish that.  Just talk to anyone from
> Syracuse University.  They used to have a home grown system.  They don't
> anymore.
>
> Anyone that wants to start from the ground up should take a course in
> systems analysis and database design.  That would really be an eye opener.
>
> The other ideas expressed about integrating the OPAC with access to the web
> and other databases will come given a little time.
>
> -----
> Wilfred (Bill) Drew
> Associate Librarian, Systems and Reference
> SUNY Morrisville College Library
> drewwe at morrisville.edu
> Home: http://www.morrisville.edu/~drewwe
> Not Just Cows: http://www.morrisville.edu/~drewwe/njc/
> Library: http://www.morrisville.edu/library/
> VOTE -- March 7,  New York Primary


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