Library system

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A library system is software used by libraries and enables computer-aided execution of activities occurring in libraries, such as library acquisitions , cataloging and lending .

The library systems in use around the world since the 1980s are mostly referred to as integrated library systems. The integrated library systems mark the beginning of the productive use of IT within libraries. Over the course of three decades, a large number of different products from different manufacturers have come onto the market, along with various in-house developments within libraries or government organizations and occasionally open source programs supported by volunteers . For some years, the replacement of the integrated library systems with a new generation of library systems, which are referred to as library management systems, has begun worldwide. Two important differences to older systems are that data is mostly stored and managed in the cloud and that different types of media (such as printed matter , electronic publications , databases ) can be processed in the same way and found within the same search mask.

Terms

Neither library science nor manufacturers could agree on generally applicable terms. So similar things are referred to by the following names:

  • Library system
  • Integrated library system (IBS, English integrated library system , ILS)
  • Local library system (LBS)
  • Electronic library system
  • Library management system (BMS, English library management system , LMS)

It has become established to speak of older systems (1980s to 2010s) as integrated library systems and of newer, cloud-based systems as library management systems.

functionality

Library systems are typically software products that are composed of various software modules . The modules are based on the various library activities, usually there is at least one each for library acquisition , cataloging and lending . The library staff mostly operate the various modules via a graphical user interface that is uniform in appearance . In addition to the modules for carrying out library work processes, an OPAC or a modern search engine is often part of the system or can at least be connected. Library user data are also managed with the library system. Many systems enable users to register online, which they can use to order a medium or extend a loan date, for example.

The library's managed data is usually stored in a relational database . Another part of the system is the software for interacting with the database.

Products

The products of the market leaders in the area of ​​proprietary library systems are particularly widespread worldwide, but there are also market-relevant open source systems as well as various in-house developments by individual institutions.

Proprietary software

The leading manufacturers of proprietary software in 2015 included companies with a range of products and services that often go far beyond the development of library software , such as EBSCO Information Services (2982 employees), the Follett Corporation (1359) and OCLC (1315). The manufacturers that focus purely on library software include Ex Libris (565), the ProQuest Workflow Solutions business unit (a merger of Serials Solutions , Bowker and ProQuest Research Solutions with 480 employees), Civica (454), SirsiDynix (422) and Innovative (emerged from Polaris Library Systems and VTLS, Inc., 416 employees).

Ex Libris has so far mainly sold the Aleph system, which has existed since 1981, and its leaner version Alephino. The successor product Alma has replaced the Aleph systems worldwide since 2012 . Another common system used by Ex Libris is Voyager .

OCLC's most popular system currently is WorldShare Management Services (WMS). Other systems are LBS and SISIS-SunRise.

Open source

Logo of the Koha system

The most widespread open source system to date is Koha . One system that is gaining in importance in the field of academic libraries is Kuali OLE , which two American university libraries were able to put into operation for the first time in 2014.

In-house developments

The in-house development of systems within a library, a library network or other institutions began in the early phase of the introduction of EDP in libraries. Today self-developed systems are rarely used in larger libraries.

Standards and norms

There have been various attempts to lay down the requirements for library systems in official publications. These come from the US NISO , the British JISC and the German DFG .

history

The introduction of integrated library systems began in the 1980s. The Graz Integrated Library System was established in 1979. The integrated systems differed considerably from the applications used up until then, which until then had been completely isolated from each other and used for different work processes. For the first time, the various areas of library business could be handled with just one software. The integrated systems also offered efficiency advantages, as the central data administration avoided redundant activities previously carried out by different departments. The data stored in the catalog on a medium could be used by the acquisition, cataloging and borrowing departments.

Use in Germany

Almost every academic library in Germany uses a library system, exceptions are very small or special libraries. Statistics were not available in 2011.

list

literature

Individual evidence

  1. a b Kirstin Kemner-Heek: Conception and offer of future library management systems. Inventory and analysis (= Hermann Rösch, Kerstin Wittmann [Hrsg.]: Cologne working papers on library and information science . No. 64 ). Cologne University of Applied Sciences, 2012, ISSN  1434-1115 , p. 170 f ., urn : nbn: de: hbz: 79pbc-20120713580 ( th-koeln.de [PDF; 6.7 MB ; accessed on April 5, 2017]).
  2. a b c Kirstin Kemner-Heek: Conception and offer of future library management systems. Inventory and analysis (= Hermann Rösch, Kerstin Wittmann [Hrsg.]: Cologne working papers on library and information science . No. 64 ). Cologne University of Applied Sciences, 2012, ISSN  1434-1115 , p. 13 , urn : nbn: de: hbz: 79pbc-20120713580 ( th-koeln.de [PDF; 6.7 MB ; accessed on April 5, 2017]).
  3. ^ A b Marshall Breeding: Library Systems Report , 2015.
  4. Cynthia Hodgson: The RFP writer's guide to standards for library systems. (PDF; 1.3 MB) NISO Press, 2002, accessed on December 16, 2019 .
  5. JISC & SCONUL: JISC & SCONUL library management systems study. An evaluation and horizon scan of the current library management systems and related systems landscape for UK higher education , status: March 2008 ( online , PDF; 1.4 MB).
  6. German Research Foundation: Equipping university libraries with local library systems in the funding process for large-scale equipment of the federal states according to Art. 143c GG (AHLB). Recommendations of the Library Subcommittee on Information Management and the Commission on IT Infrastructure , 5th, updated edition, 2008.