Thinking About Your Next Automated System

Instructor: Diane Mayo

Infopeople Presents:
Library Management and Technology Consultant
Diane Mayo

in a workshop on

Thinking About Your Next Automated System

The library automation marketplace is constantly changing, and not everyone has time to track all the latest developments. This session will bring you up to date on the products and features available in integrated library systems (ILS) today. In addition to a review of the systems themselves, you will learn about a variety of strategies and sources for procuring ILS products - turnkey vendors, application service providers, local integration of multiple vendor products, and open source applications.

You will also get practical advice from a top library automation consultant on planning for a new system, including how to involve staff, preparing for the migration, the procurement process, and implementation timelines.

If you wonder whether now is the time to consider moving to a new system, this course will give you a solid framework for that decision. And if you already know there's a new system in your future, you can save time, money, and frustration by learning how to select and install it in accordance with modern best practices.

Workshop Description: This all-day workshop will provide an overview of integrated library systems (ILS) and an opportunity to hear from a nationally recognized consultant about how to plan for installing a new ILS in your library. Participants will explore new system features and capabilities, new options for procuring an ILS, and field-tested processes for migration and implementation. In addition to answering your most pressing system-related questions, the instructor will provide practical handouts.

Preliminary Course Outline:

• Automation Marketplace Overview
  • Introduction
    • What is new? What is not?
    • Who are the suppliers?
  • Product Reviews
    • Core ILS features
    • Add-on ILS products
    • ILS-independent products
    • Third party add-ons
  • Other Options
    • Application service providers
    • Open Source software
• Planning to Migrate
  • Project steps and timelines
  • Who to involve and how
  • Preparing the data
  • Assessing staff skills
  • Defining requirements/procurement options
  • Implementing a new system
• How Your ILS Can Support Public Access Computing

Who Should Attend: Anyone from the California library community with an interest in integrated library systems (ILS); anyone who will participate in evaluating, implementing, or adjusting to a new system.

Prerequisites: None

Check-in: 8:30 to 9 AM Instruction: 9 AM to 4:30 PM

Dates and locations for workshops in the Bay Area and Los Angeles will be announced shortly.