ILSR FYI

By Mary K. Dzurinko

ILSR Co-editor

The American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) sponsored a moderated Listserv discussion "Technical Services Librarian of the 21st Century" from December 6 – 17, 1999. It covered such issues as Technical Services (TS) and the Internet, the future of TS in the library, TS and outsourcing, and the influence of Technical Services on the library decision makers. See the web archive of the Listserv discussion.

An excellent source of information about IOLS and Technical Services issues is "Technical Services Law Librarian," published by the AALL Online Bibliographic Services and Technical Services Sections. Edited by Anna Belle Leiserson and Linda Tesar of Vanderbilt University Law Library, TSLL is also available in paper by subscription. The Listserv and TSLL are not just for law librarians; they are excellent sources of information on the current technical and management issues that directly affect the choice of an IOLS.

Upcoming ILSR issues will highlight imaging systems. Imaging systems are used by museums, art and architecture schools, aquariums, and other organizations with slide, picture, painting, and drawing collections. Images require true and accurate visual access to these materials and these libraries are especially interested in digital image storage and output, copyright marks, scanners, cataloging of visual materials, and access to bibliographic records for these materials.

Another vendor sale: SBC Communications, which acquired Ameritech in late 1999, has announced the sale of Ameritech Library Services (ALS) to a private investment group led by 21^st Century Group, LLC and Green Leaf Ridge Company. ALS online integrated library systems include Dynix and Horizon. 21^st Century Group is an ethnic minority-controlled partnership formed by former Dallas City Manager John Ware and Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst, Inc., a Dallas private equity firm. Chicago-based Green Leaf Ridge invests in businesses that focus on technology and information services. ALS will change its name and logo (ALS press release, 11/99).

Inmagic, Inc. has announced the release of DB/Text for Libraries, a new version of the Library Guide, in tandem with its release of DB/Textworks 4.0. The new Library Module has a number of enhancements. The press release includes a note for current users pointing out that the new module supports the Catalog model. Those libraries using the Library model who want to use the new Library Module will need to make a transition to the Catalog model. The Library model uses one textbase for the majority of library activities. The Catalog model uses multiple textbases.

ILSR is reviewing IOLS products and contacting IOLS vendors for inclusion in ILSR Vendor Survey 2000. Survey 2000 will contain more vendors and more detailed product information than ever before! The Survey will be available in April 2000.

Best of the IOLS Web

Check out the web site that details the SUNY Library Automation Migration (SLAM). This site provides an overview of the process that the State University of New York undertook ito identify and select a new IOLS. It includes implementation plan, job description, RFP, and other reports. A great overview of what one library system did to work together to select a system.

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November 1999

ILSR FYI

Caspr LibraryWorld 98

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1999 Vendor Survey

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