 |
|
More Test Sites For Cactus
|
|
The EC funded CANDLE project has chosen more test sites for its exciting digital library
management system, Cactus. The University of Thessaly Library, Greece, Technical University Kosice, Slovakia and Cranfield University, United Kingdom are to install and trial the software. It
is already undergoing trials at the partner sites in London, Athens and Florence.
|
"It will change the way we manage electronic resources."
|
|
The system gives librarians the tools to understand how electronic resources are being used, the
ability to mange usage at a very precise level and the knowledge they need to refine their electronic subscriptions. It collects detailed statistics showing which electronic resources are
really in use, by which user groups. It also simplifies access to resources for end users - after their first secure log on connections to a range of resources are all handled automatically and
transparently by the software, a form of Single Sign On. The CACTUS system also gives users access to licensed resources from a machine anywhere on or off campus.
|
www.sbu.ac.uk/litc/candle
Andrew Cox, LITC, South Bank University, +44 (0)20 7815 7058, coxam@sbu.ac.uk
Mark Pierce, Enware, Nunez de Bilbao,
Madrid, +34 91 576 02 45, makis@enware.es
|
It is expected that many more libraries from all around Europe will take the opportunity to use the software.
"Mark Pierce, a Technical Director of the Spanish software company, Enware and Project Coordinater said: "We are interested in working with any special
libraries that would like to trial the software. We believe that the benefits of the system will be relevant to all sorts of libraries, helping them to rationalise their
spending on electronic resources. We know what it is what they want to do - now they have a tool to help them do it."
John Akeroyd, Director of Learning and Information Services at South Bank University, London,
who originated the CACTUS concept and are a primary test site said "CACTUS makes it easier for users to access resources, even if they are working off campus. It also promises to
give us the information we need to channel our spending onto those electronic resources our users really want to have. It will change the way we manage electronic resources. This is the core
of a library management system for the electronic library."
The feature rich software also offers: * Customisation of users' desktops. * The ability to
effectively ration the usage of resources on LANs * Real time messaging between administrators and users, e.g. to announce end of day close down.
The software is also applicable to any resource centre trying to manage and deliver a mixture of
electronic services; it could be used in learning centres, in Internet cafes. The consortium are interested in finding more test sites though this would be on a zero funding basis.
Publishers will get the benefit of a more secure environment in which only people who should be
able to can access material. They will also benefit from improved understanding of how electronic resources are being used. Swets Blackwell are one of the project partners.
|
