Koha and Vubis Smart are library management systems that are fully integrated and include acquisitions, cataloguing, circulation, and serials modules. Although Koha is an open source system, both systems have many commonalities.
Both of these systems can operate on a Windows, Linux, or Unix platform and both are web based. In both Koha and Vubis Smart appearance and functionality is completely configurable and both have been designed with the end user in mind. This allows libraries to provide an intuitive and streamlined user interface.
The OPACs have the ability to integrate multi-media objects, on-line resources, and web sites. Various enhancements can be included in both, such as cover images, access to table of contents, summaries, annotations, and reviews. These enhancements are beneficial as they allow users to learn more about an item direct from the OPAC.
Both systems have an advanced search option however initially the Vubis Smart system appeared to be more sophisticated in this area, with the ability to use left and right truncation, wildcards, proximity searching, and fuzzy logic. On testing various library OPACs that use Koha, it became evident that these features can be incorporated into the advanced search, as Crawford County Library has done with fuzzy logic and proximity searching (http://catalog.ccfls.org/cgi-bin/koha/opac-main.pl).
The cataloguing modules allow libraries to tailor data to their specific needs. The modules are standards based and provide the ability to import and export data.
Vubis Smart has the capacity to provide extensive facilities in managing acquisitions. This includes flexibility in ordering, funds maintenance, invoices and reporting. The serial module caters for receiving, claiming, routing and links to ejournals. Details of the acquisition, serials, and reporting features for Koha were not comprehensively listed however the documentation does state that it has the ability to manage these modules with a variety of comprehensive options.
The circulation modules of both systems are based on standards-compliant WWW technologies. Users can access and manage their own borrower accounts in both systems and both are self-service compatible. These features offer flexibility and efficiency to both users and libraries.
From the information supplied and my use of the Koha system it appears that these systems are quite compatible in their functionality even though one is open source and the other only available via a license.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Act Public Library Online Information Services
‘Reference is dead’ or so Stephen Abram would have us believe (Abram, 2007). Abram has been investigating and reporting on the top ten strategies for library success. Put into context Abram’s findings are that the traditional library services are changing away from face to face interactions to a more flexible service delivery. ACT public library has progressed towards this type of service delivery and the benefits of these developments are positive for both staff and users.
No longer does an information user have to physically come into a library to access information, services and programs, or manage their user accounts. A variety of service options are now available including face-to-face service, telephone access and online access. These options have just increased the demographics of the library, as a user no longer has to be a local. They have increased the size of the collection as information no longer has to be kept onsite or in hardcopy. Online access can also increase the use of services such as requesting resources, participating in online learning, and also aids in removing access barriers for those users with disabilities.
Customer services now takes on new dimensions as communication between the library and users can be done via email thus expediting the communication process and making it far more effective and efficient.
New technologies such as wireless will benefit the library and its users by providing more flexibility in regard to the use of library space. Other technologies, such as data saving devices, will allow users to access, save, and re-use information and resources in more flexible means, both in and outside of the library confines.
The online information services have also altered staff workloads in response to the demand for these services. These services have removed some of the more repetitive manual transactions and staff are now focusing on streamlining access to online resources including catalogues, databases, and websites. They are forming valuable partnerships in the provision of sharing resources and services and energy is now expended on the services that users are participating in and not necessarily on services that the library deemed as necessary.
For the Act Public Library, online services have broadened their communities, refocused their staff and resources, and most importantly, reinvigorated the library so that it is valued within the community as a public space and an online space.
No longer does an information user have to physically come into a library to access information, services and programs, or manage their user accounts. A variety of service options are now available including face-to-face service, telephone access and online access. These options have just increased the demographics of the library, as a user no longer has to be a local. They have increased the size of the collection as information no longer has to be kept onsite or in hardcopy. Online access can also increase the use of services such as requesting resources, participating in online learning, and also aids in removing access barriers for those users with disabilities.
Customer services now takes on new dimensions as communication between the library and users can be done via email thus expediting the communication process and making it far more effective and efficient.
New technologies such as wireless will benefit the library and its users by providing more flexibility in regard to the use of library space. Other technologies, such as data saving devices, will allow users to access, save, and re-use information and resources in more flexible means, both in and outside of the library confines.
The online information services have also altered staff workloads in response to the demand for these services. These services have removed some of the more repetitive manual transactions and staff are now focusing on streamlining access to online resources including catalogues, databases, and websites. They are forming valuable partnerships in the provision of sharing resources and services and energy is now expended on the services that users are participating in and not necessarily on services that the library deemed as necessary.
For the Act Public Library, online services have broadened their communities, refocused their staff and resources, and most importantly, reinvigorated the library so that it is valued within the community as a public space and an online space.
Reference
- Abram, S. (2007, August 30). Top ten strategies for library
- success. Presentation to library professionals, Brisbane, Queensland.
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