Three library consultants--Rick Richmond, Wilson Stahl, and Jose-Marie Griffiths--discuss the implications of six issues for the success and stability of library automation vendors: (1) vendor business characteristics; (2) competitive advantage; (3) the library marketplace; (4) system selection; (5) corporate planning; and (6) library interests.…

The first of two articles looks at reasons for library automation vendor failure and techniques that libraries can use to assess and reduce their risk in vendor selection. In the second article, representatives of eight prominent automation firms discuss industry problems. Three references are listed. (MES)

Discusses the design principles behind the Unicorn Collection Management System, an integrated library system which includes modules for bibliographic and inventory control, circulation, academic reserves, serials control, authority control, acquisition, electronic mail, bulletin board, and enhanced public access. The flexibility of the system is…

Efforts of the Technical Standards for Library Automation Committee (TESLA), a division-wide committee of the Library Information and Technology Association (LITA) of the American Library Association, are described. The current status of suggested technical standards and recommended action are detailed. Five sources are given. (Author/EJS)

Provides background on the California State Library, a description of the Library and Courts Building, and a summary of automation objectives. Concerns in renovation to accommodate a modern library are then discussed: (1) environment; (2) electrical and telephone circuitry; (3) data and voice communications; (4) physical factors; and (5)…

This article offers a working definition and general comments on the purchasing of library turnkey systems (package including hardware and software required to accomplish a clearly defined task). Turnkey versus customized, selecting a turnkey system, request for proposal, contracting with vendors, and post installation evaluation are discussed.…

Documents the history of library automation from a business perspective, examining several topics relating to characteristics of vendors, the library automation marketplace, and the measurement of vendor performance and success. Tables list library automation system vendors and outline quantitative measures of vendor performance. (138 references)…

This symposium on printed documentation covers (1) Tacoma Public Library's documentation (Lare Mischo); (2) characteristics of bad documentation (Linda Bills); (3) GEAC manuals (Joe Matthews); (4) Personal Bibliographic Software manuals (Victor Rosenberg); (5) DIALOG documentation (Barbara E. Anderson); (6) documentation problems and improvements…

Guidelines for writing documentation for automated library systems cover (1) gathering information; (2) planning the document (manual types, organization patterns, writing style, conventions and standards, and format); (3) writing techniques; (4) deciding what to include; and (5) editing and testing. (three references) (MES)

Reports on the feasibility of vendors of IBM PC compatible computers based on issues of "PC Magazine" from September 1985 to the present. Results by year are given in tabular and text form. Implications of orphan systems for libraries, advertising problems, and predictors of success are discussed. (EAM)

Describes unethical practices in library automation, including vendors'"low-balling" bids in order to make sales; libraries' stating required specifications so that only one vendor can qualify; and consultants compromising their objectivity and independence. Procedures to help identify and prevent such practices in the future are…

Describes development, hardware requirements, and features of the MultiLIS integrated library software package. A system profile provides pricing information, operational characteristics, and technical specifications. Sidebars discuss MultiLIS integration structure, incremental architecture, and NCR Tower Computers. (4 references) (MES)

Comparison of conventional book stacks, moving aisle book stacks, and industrial storage techniques shows that the industrial technique is the least expensive to build, maintain, and operate. Characteristics of automated storage and retrieval systems are discussed, and formulas for calculating the size and costs of a library system are presented.…

Discusses the evolution of standards for bar codes (series of printed lines and spaces that represent numbers, symbols, and/or letters of alphabet) and describes the two types most frequently adopted by libraries--Code-A-Bar and CODE 39. Format of the codes is illustrated. Six references and definitions of terminology are appended. (EJS)

Describes the evaluation of four relational database management systems (RDBMSs) (Informix Turbo, Oracle 6.0 TPS, Unify 2000 and Relational Technology's Ingres 5.0) to determine which is best suited for library automation. The evaluation criteria used to develop a benchmark specifically designed to test RDBMSs for libraries are discussed. (CLB)