INTRODUTION TO INTEGRATED LIBRARY SYSTEM MODULE 2

Author: Lourdes T. David
Editor: Prof. John Andrew Large
URL: http://www.unescobkk.org/elib/publications/ictlip/module2


IN-HOUSE DEVELOPED SYSTEM

In selecting an ILS package, your institution might recommend an in-house development rather than buying a commercial product. This is also a good option and many institutions make their own packages to suit their individual needs. Moreover it makes use of locally available resources in terms of materials and personnel. However, there are also disadvantages in doing in-house development. In-house systems require staff expertise in programming and developing software that most libraries do not have. Staff expertise is also needed not only in the development stage but also in the installation, configuration and maintenance of the system. Another common problem is the absence of proper documentation that will provide the programmers, who may have to enhance in the future the system, the necessary information.

TURNKEY SYSTEM/COMMERCIAL SYSTEM

The more practical way of acquiring an ILS package is by buying one. The industry is a very mature one and almost every standardized package will fit the particular needs of any library. Ready-made commercial ILS packages are called "off-the shelf", turnkey systems). Turnkey means that: the package is ready to use, data has been converted, and the hardware and network have been installed by the supplier. But it also has its disadvantages. Libraries using turnkey systems often become highly dependent with the vendor since maintenance of the hardware and software provided may be available only from them. In addition these systems are usually costly in terms of initial cost and maintenance. It also usually uses proprietary systems, which make it difficult to upgrade or migrate to another system.

ScINET ILMS

The ScINET Integrated Library Management System was developed by the Information Technologist and Librarians of the Department of Science and Technology in order to have a standard system among the libraries and information units. This is a consortium among 21 agencies of the DOST including the regional offices who used the different applications in managing their collections. Prior to the development of SILMLS these libraries use different applications in managing their collections. Some are using CDS-ISIS, Library World, MS Access, PhP My Library, etc. which makes it difficult to prepare a union catalog for DOST.

It is an open source type and has the following modules, namely Acquisitions which handles the online recording of every material received in the library; Library Holdings Management handles the addition, modification, deletion of records of all types of materials in the collection; Circulation Management handles the check in, check out, renew, reserve, hold; Patron Management handles the profile of the borrowers; File Uploader and Parser enable the DOST agencies to submit their library holdings to the data center; Press Release Management used to monitor the print publicity accomplishment of the DOST media core members and STII staff, and System for Administration and Security Management modules which stores the record of the system users. It is available as stand alone or online and can handle all types of materials including uploading of full text. It can also generate reports such as prooflist, catalog card, labels, acquisitions list, and shelf list. The system has a usage monitoring facility also, such as usage statistics either daily or monthly.

Aside from the DOST System Libraries, it is being used in 11 colleges and universities in Eastern Visayas, one government office one regional library, a foundation and a state college in Luzon.