Exercise #9: Survey of Online Services
Due: 5th Class Session
The vendors below all provide an array of services relating to library cataloging and classification operations. Access the websites of these vendors and explore their respective offerings. Keeping a mind a specific type\level\size of library, write a brief summary regarding the viability of each vendor.
AMIGOS Bibliographic Council, Inc. http://www.amigos.org
AMIGOS is a membership-based, nonprofit library network serving close to 600 member libraries in the southwestern U.S. Information technology services include OCLC access and support; biblographic services such as authority control, barcode labels, database preparation, retrospective conversion, and union listing; preservation; consulting and training; document delivery; hardware acquisition; imaging; and information access.
DRA. http://www.dra.com
The Data Research System spans OPAC use, full-MARC support and network cataloging, automated acquisitions, serials control, a circulation module, Report Writer, authority processing, and various support services.
Follett Software Company. http://www.fsc.follett.com
Follett provides a wide array of data services geared to small- and medium-sized libraries, including Circulation Plus, Catalog Plus, Union Catalog Plus, and Alliance Plus.
Gateway Software Corporation. http://www.gscweb.com
Gateway specializes in comprehensive software programs geared to K-12 school districts. Its chief product, the Library Management System, covers circulation operations, OPAC functions, full-MARC cataloging, authority control, inventory tasks, reports, and networking capabilities (e.g., union catalog, interlibrary loan).
Geac Computers, Inc. Phone: 1-800-825-2574.
Geac offers bibliographic and authority processing services via PLUS and ADVANCE, the SelfCheck System, the Library Voice Information System, and a variety of other information technology products.
Hayes Associates. http://www.hayesassociates.com
The company specializes in equipment and software concerned with printing and reading bar codes.
Library Resource Management Systems, Inc. http://www.lrms.com
LRMS provides retrospective conversion, bar code readers, training seminars, and Genesis Library Automation Software, which encompasses catalog management, circulation management, administration management, report management, OPAC, label/barcode/card printing management,import/export/transfer record management, and inventory management.
Marcive. http://www.marcive.com
In addition to serving as the leading source for Government PrintinOffice cataloging, the company offers heading clean-up for cataloging records, preparation of records for check-out systems, catalog card conversion to MARC, production of matching barcode labels, automation system conversion, and muliple service access points (e.g., Internet-delivered services, phone and fax order entry).
OCLC. http://www.oclc.org/
Online Computer Library Center, Incorporated, is a nonprofit membership organization offering computer-based services to libraries, educational institutions, and their users. Services span bibliographic verification, cataloging, retrospective conversion, collection development, preservation, reference, and interlibrary loan. Related web sites include:
Electronic Publishing: http://www.ref.oclc.org:2000/
Information Dimensions: http://www.idi.oclc.org/
Preservation Resources: http://www.oclc.org/presres/
Reference Services: http://www.ref.oclc.org:2000/
Forest Press: http://www.oclc.org/fp/
The New Electronic Scholarship: http://www.oclc.org/oclc/scholist.htm
RLIN Information Center. http://www.rlg.stanford.edu
A division of the Research Libraries Group, RLIN is concerned with cataloging and collection management, archival and manuscripts control, acquisitions processing, interlibrary loan, document delivery, and host of additional support services (e.g., RLIN Reports System).
TALX Corporation. http://www.talx.com
The company's Library Division focuses on database maintenance services, cataloging assistance, complete retrospective conversion, imaging and OCR, and microform sets cleanup.
Winnebago. http://www.winnebago.com
Concerned exclusively with libraty automation, Winnebago offers--through its cross-platform system, Spectrum--the following services: CAT online catalog, CIRC circulation, CIRC/CAT integrated package, Union CAT, PC Cardmaker, barcode production, etc.