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Scottish Borders Library Service have migrated from a previous BookshelF Library Management
system and have brought Dynix automation to previously manually operated branches.
Implementation began in late 1999 with the Council’s headquarters going live at the end of 1999,
with other branches coming on stream during 2000 according an agreed schedule, culminating in complete deployment by October 2000.
The implementation of the Dynix system has brought many benefits to Scottish Borders Library
Service providing features not previously well supported electronically, and speeding up other activities that were not easy to administrate due to manual operation in some libraries.
These include
- Automated and Streamlined counter service using via Dynix’s circulation capabilities
- Electronic compilation of statistics, based on automated circulation
- A wide range of inbuilt and library definable reporting options to analyse the available data
- Automated placing, processing and notification of reservations.
- PAC for Windows Public Access software allows users to access the library catalogue in
a ‘state of the art’ environment, allowing enquiry on stock availability at all libraries.
Self service circulation enquiry features will be made available shortly, allowing users to check on
their own loans, place and track reservations and monitor other circulation activity, all protected by PIN number.
Internet access to the library catalogue is also due for implementation once the new system is
bedded in. The use of PAC for Windows also allows the library to present existing ‘ access to computers ‘ services via a single interface. Libraries already offer access to word processing,
spreadsheet and desktop publishing facilities and these can now be offered via a single interface by embedding them in the PAC for Windows launcher.
The Scottish Borders Library Service has a network of 12 public libraries, 6 mobiles, school
libraries, hospital library and the Scottish Borders Archive and Local History Centre. They together provide the full range of services from lending books, music CDs, video and CD-ROMs,
to browsing the Internet, and locating business, local history and tourist information
Inverclyde Council launched their Library Services’ first computerised Branch on November 7th 2000, using epixtech’s Dynix as the basis for of an ongoing programme of automation designed
to provide 21st Century information access and services to the residents of the Inverclyde area.
Over 5000 Inverclyde residents had already taken the opportunity to register on the new system
at the launch date , each issued with an individually barcoded library card, allowing library staff to Issue, Return and Renew residents books and review their borrowing at any time. In addition , the
new Dynix Library System brings with it a full catalogue of the Libraries stock, allowing residents Online Public Access to the regions collections and giving staff the ability to The new system will
monitor all library stock allowing more efficient acquisitions control, distribution, circulation and withdrawal of items.
Dynix was the platform chosen to bring automation to Inverclyde, and the process of moving from
a completely manual issue system has been eased by the employment of efficient retrospective cataloguing processes.
Staff were on hand at the official launch to demonstrate to guests and the public how the new
system will work. Carreen McGilvray, Library Service Manager said “We are delighted with the publics response to date but we want more users to register so they can benefit from the
improved range of services we can now offer.”
Improvements to the service include
- customers can now borrow up to 16 items (6 for children) using the one card
- borrowers will eventually be able to use their new library card in any Inverclyde library (all
branch libraries are expected to be automated by summer 2001)
- public access to catalogues and the library database means customers can do their own searches
- check their record to see what books they have out on loan, when they are due back and what reservations they have made
- electronic ordering allows new titles to get on the shelves more quickly
- faster searching of titles mean staff can deal with enquiries more efficiently and effectively
- networked catalogues will allow customers access to a wider range of titles from one venue
Maria Russell, Director of Information Services, Inverclyde Council said “the commitment
and enthusiasm shown by library and information technology staff to this project has been incredible. It was particularly important that the system was introduced as efficiently and trouble
free as possible to ensure public confidence. This new library management system is the first step in a whole new investment programme within our libraries. In the very near future information
and learning resources will be accessed from remote sites all over Inverclyde allowing libraries to truly operate as information hubs for the community.”
(epixtech UK also hosts
the Scottish Library and Information Council’s SLAINTE website/directory - www.slainte.org.uk) - a leading resource for Scottish Libraries and Information Professionals,
from a facilities managed server at its Chesham Headquarters).
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