Library Information Systems

Joseph R. Matthews has provided consulting assistance to numerous academic, public, and special libraries and local governments. He was previously an instructor at the School of Library Information Science (SLIS) at San Jose State University. Carson Block has been a library technologist for more than 25 years–as a library worker, IT director, and now a library technology consultant.

Preface: A Word of Caution
Acknowledgments
Introduction to the Revised Edition: A Word of Hope
Part I—The Broader Context
1 The Evolution of Information Technology
Origins of Library Information Systems
Historical Perspectives
Developments Impacting Library Information Systems
Hardware: From Mainframes to Ubiquitous Computing
The End of Moore's Law
Software Ranging from Proprietary to Open Systems
Telecommunication Developments
What's Old Is New Again
Summary
Questions to Consider
Notes
2 The Library Information Systems Marketplace
Sources of Software
Complexity of Commercial Software
Size of the Commercial Library Automation Marketplace
The Integrated Library Systems Marketplace
System Architectures
Mergers and Acquisitions
Current System Architectures
Operating Systems
Database Environments
Summary
Questions to Consider
Notes
Part II—The Technologies
3 Standards and Standards Organizations
Standards
Official Standards Organizations
Standards Important to Libraries
Conceptual Model
Content Standards
Controlled Vocabularies
Framework
Encoding Standards
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
Extensible Markup Language (XML)
Communication Standards
Technology Standards
De Facto Standards
The Standards Reality
Related Organizations
Summary
Questions to Consider
Notes
4 Telecommunications and Networks
Telecommunications
Networks
Local Area Networks
LAN Technologies
Twisted-Pair Cable
Fiber-Optic Cable
WiFi
Network Design
Wireless LANs
Location-Based Service
Wide Area Networks
Optical Fiber Connections
Internet Protocol
Infrastructure Implications
Summary
Questions to Consider
Notes
5 Proprietary Library Systems
Integrated Library Systems
Marketplace Dynamics
Library Services Platforms
Maturing LSP Marketplace
LSP Products
Summary
Questions to Consider
Notes
6Open Source Systems
Open Source Software
Factors Influencing Open Source Software
For-Profit Firms Support Open Source Software
Reasons to Open Source
Size of Open Source Marketplace
Open Source Library Systems
Kuali Open Library Environment Project
The Future of Libraries Is Open (FOLIO)
No Free Lunch
Comparing Proprietary and Open Source ILS
Open Source Devotees
Summary
Open Source Challenge
Questions to Consider
Suggested Web Resources
Notes
7 Other Silos
Electronic Resource Management System
Standards Pertaining to Electronic Resources
Electronic Resource Management Systems
Functionality
ERMS Benefits
Institutional Repository
Authentication
Link Resolvers
Link Verification
Discovery System
Discovery System Indexes
Non-Library Discovery Service
Discovery System Challenges
eBook Platform
Local eBook Platform
Open Access eBook Platforms
eLending Licenses
The eBook Challenges
Summary
Questions to Consider
Notes
8 Electronic Resource Management
Evaluation
Collecting Data
Licensing
Usability
Electronic Reference Materials
Other Options
Summary
Questions to Consider
Notes
Part III—Management Issues
9 Planning for Information Technology
Strategic Planning
Technology Plan
Technology Inventory
Outline of a Technology Plan
Digital Strategic Plan
Staying Current
Impact of IT on Staff
Lean Thinking
Summary
Questions to Consider
Suggested Web Resources
Notes
10 The Impact of Technology on Library Services
Possible Benefits
Impacts on Library Catalogs
Online Catalog Problems
Discovery Systems
Discovery System Problems
Impacts on eResources
Impacts on Document Delivery
Impacts on Interlibrary Loan
Impacts on Acquisitions
Impacts on Serials
Impacts on Cataloging
Impacts on Circulation
Summary
Questions to Consider
Notes
11 System Selection
Processes and Services
Technical Services Functions
Public Services
Administrative Planning and Decision-Making
System Selection
Identify a Library's Needs
Document the Library's Needs
Evaluate Alternatives
In-House System
Shared System
Cloud-Based Service
Evaluating Alternatives
To RFP or . . .
Evaluating Proposals
Using Consultants
Written Agreements
Exhibit - Service-Level Agreement
Summary
Questions to Consider
Suggested Readings
Notes
12 System Migration and Implementation
Migration Team
Premigration Decisions
What Data to Migrate?
Data Cleanup
Should Data Be Enhanced?
How Much Testing Should Be Done?
How to Best Phase in a Migration
Implementation
Library Policies
Types of Barcodes
RFID
Data Migration
Training
Adapting Procedures, Forms, and Workflow
Typical Implementation Schedule
Successful Systems
Communication Is Vital
Summary
Questions to Consider
Notes
13 Managing Library Information Systems
System Manager Characteristics
Specific Job Skills
Managing in the Cloud
Systems Integration
Technology Planning
Management of Infrastructure
Upgrades
Backups
The Rule of Three (or 3-2-1)
Managing Applications and Licenses
Emergency/Recovery Support
Security
Assistive Technology
Summary
Questions to Consider
Suggested Web Resources
Notes
14 Usability and User Experience
Website Design
Browser and Device Neutrality
Navigation
Readable
Understandable
Familiar
Searchable
Accessible
Usability Guidelines
Usability Testing
Content Management System
Intranets
Google Analytics—A Two-Edged Sword
Summary
Questions to Consider
Suggested Web Resources
Suggested Readings
Notes
15 Basic Technology Axioms
Axiom 1: Standards Are Critical; Recommended Practices Are Vital
Axiom 2: The Converted Data Are an Important Asset—If You Make Them Work Hard
Axiom 3: Conversion, Maintenance, and Training Are Always Underestimated
Axiom 4: Use of Technology Will Grow to Fill the Available Capacity
Axiom 5: Information Technology Is the Central Nervous System of Strategy
Axiom 6: You Need Sociable Network Bandwidth
Axiom 7: Support Costs for Technology Sources and Services Are a Significant Part of a Library's Budget, Whether This Is Recognized or Not
Axiom 8: APIs Are Playing an Increasingly Important Role as Libraries Move to Embrace Web-Based Services
Axiom 9: We Live in a Network-Centric World
Axiom 10: A Library's Information Technology Budget Should Be Sizable
Summary
Questions to Consider
Notes
Part IV—Future Considerations
16 Evolving Technology Trends
Technology Trends
IFLA Trend Report
Cognifying
Flowing
The Death of Moore's Law?
Accessing
Sharing
Filtering
Remixing
Interacting
Tracking
Emerging Technologies
Summary
Questions to Consider
Suggested Web Resources
Notes
17 Mobile Devices
Responsive Website
Apps
The Basics
Popular Apps
Keeping Up
Development
Implications
Beacons
Summary
Questions to Consider
Notes
18 Digital Libraries
Digital Asset Management System
DAMS Options
Digital Asset Management System Challenges
Institutional Repositories
Digital Media Labs
Social Media
Summary
Questions to Consider
Notes
Glossary
Index