ABSTRACT
Many health sciences libraries are now considering integrated automated systems for an investment of several hundred thousand dollars. The request for proposals (RFPs) is the usual method of selecting candidate vendors for close inspection of promising systems. This paper draws upon the experience of the Library of Rush University and that of twelve other health sciences libraries. The libraries were interviewed by telephone using a short questionnaire that asked them to compare the RFPs with the systems actually obtained and their experiences in implementing them. The libraries were also asked, with the benefit of hindsight, what would they have done differently. Four vendors were also interviewed by telephone, in order to get their point of view.
Subject(s)
Competitive Bidding/methods , Financial Management/methods , Information Systems/organization & administration , Libraries, Medical/organization & administration , ChicagoABSTRACT
The purchase price of a computer and its software is but a part of the cost of any automated system. There are many additional costs, including one-time costs of terminals, printers, multiplexors, microcomputers, consultants, workstations and retrospective conversion, and ongoing costs of maintenance and maintenance contracts for the equipment and software, telecommunications, and supplies. This paper examines those costs in an effort to produce a more realistic picture of an automated system.
Subject(s)
Computer Systems , Information Systems/economics , Libraries , Catalogs, Library , Computer Communication Networks , Computer User Training , Computers , Costs and Cost Analysis , Online Systems , SoftwareABSTRACT
The coming of the East Tennessee State University College of Medicine and its effect on the health sciences institutions and practitioners in upper east Tennessee (southern Appalachia) required increased and improved information resources and arrangements for delivery and for use. The Tri-Cities Health Sciences Libraries Consortium was organized to facilitate collection development and to improve services and staff qualifications. The progress of the consortium during the initial two and one-half years of its existence is delineated. Data reflecting the dramatic growth in collection development and staff are given.
Subject(s)
Information Services/supply & distribution , Libraries, Medical , Rural Population , Financing, Government , Humans , National Library of Medicine (U.S.) , Organization and Administration , Physicians , Tennessee , United StatesABSTRACT
After ten years of experimentation in computer-assisted cataloging, the Washington University School of Medicine Library has decided to join the Ohio College Library Center network. The history of the library's work preceding this decision is reviewed. The data processing equipment and computers that have permitted librarians to explore different ways of presenting cataloging information are discussed. Certain cataloging processes are facilitated by computer manipulation and printouts, but the intellectual cataloging processes such as descriptive and subject cataloging are not. Networks and shared bibliographic data bases show promise of eliminating the intellectual cataloging for one book by more than one cataloger. It is in this area that future developments can be expected.
Subject(s)
Cataloging , Computers , Libraries, Medical , Cataloging/history , Catalogs, Library , Costs and Cost Analysis , History, 20th Century , MicrofilmingABSTRACT
A system for the substitution of a computer-printed book catalog for a card catalog was put to the test by making the former the sole means of locating material in the library, after four years of being used merely as an adjunct to the card catalog. It was found not suitable, and a new system is being devised in the light of the difficulties encountered. The reasons why the system broke down and the plans for the new one are described.
