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• Outdated Systems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• Ability to access/share materials• Upgrade outdated technology• Eliminate potential data loss• Shorten box-to-shelf time for new resources• Reduce number of servers and server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