Library Automation UpgradeProposal
By Pat Henderson
Our Need 3,451 students 5 schools in district, 2 on Infocentre, 3 on
Winnebago 3 elementary schools using outdated system,
Winnebago 1 elementary school does not have catalog
module at all (no book look up) 1 elementary school does not have student
lookup computer Student look up is essential to gaining skills
toward information fluency
Our focus is elementary
Three schools house the majority of our collection = 43,000 holdings
These schools are using a 12-year-old system
Three schools serve the most of our students 1,700
Consequences
We face eventual system crash due to age of system
We are not prepared to recover from disaster
We are not adequately preparing elementary students to do independent research as required in middle school
We are pressured to teach more skills in middle school
Current system
Follett/Spectrum Winnebago Installed in 1996, service
contract moved from Spectrum to Sagebrush to Follett, and is no longer supported
Installed on three servers, one for each elementary school
2 schools have full circulation and catalog modules, 1 has circulation only
Winnebago--Pros
Windows interface screens. Basic search capabilities (title, author,
keyword).Printed user's manual. Handles basic circulation duties and
provides printed reports.Allows records import with internet access.
Winnebago--Cons No upgrades available and no systems support. No serials or acquisitions functionality, and no
separate products available as add-ons. Difficult data input on Quick Entry screen which
has the basic fields (author, title, publisher, subject, etc.).
No web access available. Text only screens, no book covers. Student records must be physically added,
resulting in one month of no access at start of year.
Inventory process makes library inaccessible for one month at end of year.
May be accessed from library computers only.
Proposed system
Atriuum by Book Systems, Inc.
Used by numerous school systems across the US, including Rockland, MA
Atriuum--Pros Installation support and training. Multiple lookup capabilities including advanced
search (subject, ISBN, illustrator, series title, Dewey).
Text and pictures (book covers) for easy recognition.
Significant time savings for cataloging due to ISBN recognition.
Data conversion experience with Winnebago. Customizable OPAC theme. Visual search mode with pictures. Ability to connect to public library system.
Atriuum--Cons
Time consideration to install in schoolsMust add to tech budget Implementation in summer
Schools in Action
August 14, 2006 Book Systems, Inc.
successfully implemented its’ Atriuum product, a 100 percent Web-based library automation solution, to 153 library media centers in the Memphis City School District, Memphis, TN.
August 6, 2008 Book Systems is
implementing its Atriuum Library Automation System, a 100 percent Web-based library automation solution, in the 54 school library media centers and the Central Office Instructional Materials Center (IMC) in Jefferson County School District, Birmingham, AL.
Take a lookOnline catalog -- HS
http://fairviewhigh.booksys.net/opac/fairviewhigh/index.html
Fairview High School, Cullman, AL
Take a lookOnline catalog -- elementary
http://library.jefcoed.com/ Jefferson County School District
Birmingham, AL
Why is information lookup important?
Information seeking skills tie into research and critical thinking
Ability to locate information ties into research and problem solving
If lookup is not quick, student gives up
If lookup is not flexible, student gives up
Recommendation
Detailed cost analysis of implementation in 3 schools in one year
Detailed cost analysis of implementation in 5 schools over two years
Consider the cost of inaction, to staff and students
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