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Leeds Metropolitan University chooses Hyperion
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November 2000
Leeds Metropolitan University has chosen the Hyperion Digital Media Archive sub-system to add to its Unicorn Collection Management System.
The Hyperion Digital Media Archive (DMA) sub-system will be installed under the Solaris
operating system on the library's Sun Enterprise 450 which currently runs the Unicorn system. The addition of Hyperion will give desktop access to learning materials, image databases and
archive materials which will support students in the online electronic learning environment being developed by the University. Leeds Metropolitan University will initially use Hyperion to enhance
and expand the services provided by its existing Skills for Learning web application, which provides students with the opportunity to look at and use different kinds of materials to develop their learning skills.
Leeds Metropolitan University has Learning Centres on three sites, which support students on FE
and HE undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Considerable emphasis is being placed on access to information and a wide range of electronic information sources are available to around
30,000 library users, including networked databases, CD-ROMs and electronic journals. Printed resources include 330,000 volumes, 15,000 audio-visual items and 1,800 current journal titles.
Philip Payne, Head of Learning Support Services commented: "A considerable investment has
been made by the University in creating Skills for Learning as a web-based resource to support the development of students' study and key skills. Hyperion will enable us to more effectively
manage the range of materials available through Skills for Learning. In particular, it will facilitate more flexibility in how it is used and allow easier maintenance and updating. We believe that this
will encourage wider take-up of the use of the Skills for Learning - supporting the development of autonomous and independent learners in line with the University's Learning, Teaching, and
Assessment Strategy. "
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National Institute for Medical Research chooses Unicorn
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November 2000
The National Institute for Medical Research has chosen the Unicorn Collection Management System to provide an integrated library management system.
The Unicorn system will provide access via a Graphical User Interface (WorkFlows with Z39.50)
to OPAC services, Knowledge Portal, Cataloguing, Authority Control, Circulation, Inter-Library Loans and Serials Control. SmartPORT will be used to capture data from Z39.50 sources
worldwide. In due course, access to the OPAC will also be available through the World Wide Web via WebCat.
The Library at the National Institute for Medical Research provides for all the information needs of
the more than 500 scientific research staff of this MRC Institute. About 250 current journals and a bookstock of 10,000 are complemented by substantial holdings of periodical backruns and historical material.
Unicorn was chosen partly because of its technological leadership and support for standards
such as Z39.50, partly for its excellent reputation for user support and partly because of its good track record in other biomedical and research libraries. Frank Norman, Librarian, said: "As a
specialist research library we were not looking for a standard 'cataloguing and lending' automation package. We need a system flexible enough to deliver benefits to our users in a
complex digital information environment, and I believe that Unicorn is that system". Currently all bibliographical records at NIMR are held in card catalogues, so this will be a "big bang"
conversion from purely manual systems to a completely automated system.
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