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New Integrated Library Management System
Barbara Cervera
The library unveiled a new integrated library management system, still known affectionately as HOMER, in early August. Library users are encouraged to explore it, either in the libraries, or virtually. The system has a web interface and is accessible using any web browser ().Nifty New Features The online catalog, UCAT, offers library users a variety of new features. Citation Server software allows simultaneous searching of multiple databases with a "hook to holdings," making local holdings information readily available. Users can search UCAT, other catalogs, and other databases-including the familiar JREF suite of journal indexes-simultaneously. Web links to a variety of information resources, including commercial and fulltext databases, are also available. Sophisticated search capabilities include Boolean searches (AND, OR, NOT), search limiting, and relevance ranking. Limiting can be done by location, language, medium or type, and place or date of publication. Relevance ranking produces results sorted by their relevance to the user's search criteria. Citations can be printed, downloaded to disk, or e-mailed.Users can now access information related to their personal use of the libraries. For example, you can view your own address information, check the status of items you have on hold or recall, and see what you have borrowed. You can even place your own recalls for items in circulation.Improved Staff Productivity System software supporting staff operations is windows-based, highly flexible, easy to use, and will improve productivity. The cataloging module enables the creation, addition, and manipulation of records in the UConn Libraries database of 1.5 million titles. The acquisitions/serials function manages the process of ordering and receiving materials and accounting for library funds. Circulation operations are supported in their ability to charge and discharge materials, create and maintain patron files, and track fines and fees. The system has sophisticated capabilities for generating management data reports in easily customizable formats.Why a New HOMER? For some time it has been clear that the software running HOMER was not Y2K compliant. The university required a library system that, in addition to being Y2K compliant, would offer state-of-the-art library management functionality that the aging mainframe-based NOTIS software could not provide. Funding for the new system was identified in 1998. The State of Connecticut's Y2K budget supported the purchase of all the server hardware required for the system. The procurement process began with an initial screening of vendors in January 1998. In March 1999, a contract was signed with Endeavor Information Systems, Inc. to purchase their Voyager software. The system went "live" on August 6, 1999 thanks to the dedication and hard work of library staff at all locations.There's More To Come Course reserve functions of Voyager will be used first in the Music & Dramatic Arts, Trecker (Greater Hartford), and Culpeper Libraries. Babbidge Library will implement this function during the fall semester. Another Endeavor product, Image Server, will also be implemented in the fall. It allows searching, retrieval, and display of image files. Next spring, the entire UCAT database will be brought under authority control so that cross references and other terms to be searched appear in the online catalog to help users find more materials that meet their search criteria. Technical Details System hardware and software are located in Babbidge Library, replacing the mainframe-based NOTIS software purchased in 1991. Endeavor software is client/server, Unix-based and runs under the Oracle relational database management system. All Endeavor software and Sun hardware is certified to be Y2K compliant. The UConn Health Center has also purchased the Endeavor system for its Lyman Maynard Stowe Library.Tell Us What You Think Chang
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