Beacon

A Collaborative Approachto

Library Automation

Presented by:

Barbara ShultzNorth Central Library Service Area

and

Harriet AdamsPrairie Lakes Area Education Agency – AEA 8

Definition of a Beacon

A source of light or inspiration*

A powerful light that provides guidance to navigators*

*Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, 1981, pp. 95 and 659.

Outline• Background• Factors• Objectives• Initial Activities• Timelines• Considerations• Questions

Background

Counties of North Central Library Service Area:Cerro Gordo FloydFranklin HancockHamilton HardinHumboldt KossuthMitchell WebsterWinnebago WorthWright

Counties of Prairie Lakes AEA 8

Buena Vista CalhounClay DickinsonEmmet GreeneHamilton HumboldtKossuth Palo AltoPocahontas SacWebster Wright

North Iowa Libraries CollaboratingNILC

A non-profit organization formed to create opportunities to improve school and public

libraries through joint ventures.

Factors

• Outdated Systems

• Lack of Vendor support

• Server requirement for each system

Additional Factors

• Lack of maintenance agreements• Desire for efficiency and effectiveness• Move from individual to collaborative efforts• Requests from librarians, teacher-librarians,

and technology coordinators

Objectives

• Robust state-of-the-art automated circulation system

• Must meet needs of school districts AND public libraries

• Optional participation, not required• Streamline workflow• Improve quality of MARC records

Additional Objectives

• Ability to access/share materials• Upgrade outdated technology• Eliminate potential data loss• Shorten box-to-shelf time for new resources• Reduce number of servers and server

maintenance

More Requirements

• Scalability • Compatible with Student Information

Systems• Student/Patron confidentiality• Customizable Web site• Vendor support

Initial Activities

• Establish a Committee• Research the possibilities

Online, National conferences, Vendors• Legalities– Articles of Incorporation– Bylaws– Non-profit status

Additional Initial Activities

• Developed RFP• Sent RFP to vendors• Read, Review, and Rank RFP responses• Vendor presentation• Committee Decision

Work, Work, Work

• Decision to begin in Phases• Phase One participants

WeedingPaperwork & Decisions about Web

PresenceSubmitting dataSubmitting bar code samplesTesting bar code readers

Timelines

Phase One6 school districts, 16 buildingsGo-live in August 2009

Phase Two27 public librariesGo-live in January 2010

Timelines

Phase Three16 public librariesGo-live April 2010

Phase FourAdditional Schools and Public LibrariesGo-live August 2010

Issues

• Need to weed• Barcodes• Paperwork• Non-automated libraries• Out of date technology• Finances• Cooperative = Compromise• Open Source possibilities

Questions?