Comments on: links about some good and bad things in libraryland http://www.librarian.net/stax/3153/links-about-good-and-bad-things-in-libraryland/ putting the rarin back in librarian since 1999 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:14:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Amy Ranger http://www.librarian.net/stax/3153/links-about-good-and-bad-things-in-libraryland/comment-page-1/#comment-130690 Amy Ranger Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:02:20 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/?p=3153#comment-130690 I'm so glad you posted these links - it just occurred to me yesterday that LibraryThing might be a better solution than Library World. I am trying to organize the library of my local Friends Meeting, and to be honest we don't have a budget that can sustain $425 annually for Library World. (Yes, the price is higher for new members). We also don't have a dedicated server (ha! if only), so this needs to be web-based, cheap, and easy. And yes, I know the old joke: you can have 2 of 3 (if it's cheap, it won't be easy, etc.). Even so, pat yourself on the back for providing yet another service and valuable discussion to librarians like me who are working on the edge. Heartfelt thanks. I’m so glad you posted these links – it just occurred to me yesterday that LibraryThing might be a better solution than Library World. I am trying to organize the library of my local Friends Meeting, and to be honest we don’t have a budget that can sustain $425 annually for Library World. (Yes, the price is higher for new members). We also don’t have a dedicated server (ha! if only), so this needs to be web-based, cheap, and easy.

And yes, I know the old joke: you can have 2 of 3 (if it’s cheap, it won’t be easy, etc.).

Even so, pat yourself on the back for providing yet another service and valuable discussion to librarians like me who are working on the edge. Heartfelt thanks.

]]> By: Rick http://www.librarian.net/stax/3153/links-about-good-and-bad-things-in-libraryland/comment-page-1/#comment-130553 Rick Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:44:50 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/?p=3153#comment-130553 I am in the process of setting up OpenBiblio for my church's library (about 1,600 items). It has many shortcomings, but in general it provides a good platform for those needing cataloging and circulation functions for a small collection. I would guess that a collection of up to 5,000 items would pose no problems; not sure what the upper end would be. It can run on a hosted web server, which an organization can obtain for less than $100 per year (and do quite a bit more with it as well - website, blog, wiki, etc.). It is as easy to install as WordPress, and configuring the software is fairly straightforward. Strengths: * MARC record importer * Only need web browser and internet connection (no client software to install) * Easy to create/edit patron and bibliographic records Weaknesses: * OPAC needs work (it is fairly limited - I am hoping to customize ours once we finish record clean-up) * Report module is too complex for the average user (php/sql scripting required) * No serials or acquisitions Jessamyn - if you would like to look around the staff areas of our installation to see it for yourself, let me know and I can arrange for temporary access and a brief description of some of the things I've noticed while working with it. I am in the process of setting up OpenBiblio for my church’s library (about 1,600 items). It has many shortcomings, but in general it provides a good platform for those needing cataloging and circulation functions for a small collection. I would guess that a collection of up to 5,000 items would pose no problems; not sure what the upper end would be.

It can run on a hosted web server, which an organization can obtain for less than $100 per year (and do quite a bit more with it as well – website, blog, wiki, etc.). It is as easy to install as WordPress, and configuring the software is fairly straightforward.

Strengths:
* MARC record importer
* Only need web browser and internet connection (no client software to install)
* Easy to create/edit patron and bibliographic records

Weaknesses:
* OPAC needs work (it is fairly limited – I am hoping to customize ours once we finish record clean-up)
* Report module is too complex for the average user (php/sql scripting required)
* No serials or acquisitions

Jessamyn – if you would like to look around the staff areas of our installation to see it for yourself, let me know and I can arrange for temporary access and a brief description of some of the things I’ve noticed while working with it.

]]> By: John http://www.librarian.net/stax/3153/links-about-good-and-bad-things-in-libraryland/comment-page-1/#comment-130545 John Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:21:38 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/?p=3153#comment-130545 Yes, cut all librarians before any cop. Protection from crime is a more essential task of the state -- long, long before providing library services. Of course, if we legalized drugs, we wouldn't need as many cops, but that's another issue.... Yes, cut all librarians before any cop. Protection from crime is a more essential task of the state — long, long before providing library services.

Of course, if we legalized drugs, we wouldn’t need as many cops, but that’s another issue….

]]> By: Rich http://www.librarian.net/stax/3153/links-about-good-and-bad-things-in-libraryland/comment-page-1/#comment-130541 Rich Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:14:38 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/?p=3153#comment-130541 Hi Jessamyn There are a couple of open source small library systems out there through Sourceforge.net OpenBiblio Senayan Also Right On has a library automation program for small libraries though it's gotten pricey. http://www.rightonlibrarysoftware.com/ Hope this is helpful Hi Jessamyn

There are a couple of open source small library systems out there through Sourceforge.net

OpenBiblio
Senayan

Also Right On has a library automation program for small libraries though it’s gotten pricey.

http://www.rightonlibrarysoftware.com/

Hope this is helpful

]]> By: sherry http://www.librarian.net/stax/3153/links-about-good-and-bad-things-in-libraryland/comment-page-1/#comment-130538 sherry Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:41:14 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/?p=3153#comment-130538 What about ResourceMate (http://www.resourcemate.com/)? I work in a small college library and we recently purchased this product. You can purchase it for as little as $195 (one time fee). And what's nice about it is that as your library grows, you can purchase add-ons as needed. What about ResourceMate (http://www.resourcemate.com/)? I work in a small college library and we recently purchased this product. You can purchase it for as little as $195 (one time fee). And what’s nice about it is that as your library grows, you can purchase add-ons as needed.

]]> By: Kelly Nelius http://www.librarian.net/stax/3153/links-about-good-and-bad-things-in-libraryland/comment-page-1/#comment-130528 Kelly Nelius Thu, 11 Feb 2010 04:49:02 +0000 http://www.librarian.net/?p=3153#comment-130528 I'm sure it is not a perfect solution, but I've been working on setting up a small library for the charter school my sons attend, and we are using libraryworld.com. It is only $365 a year and seems to have all the basic features that a small library would need (circulation, cataloging with Z39.50, an OPAC, etc. ). Another plus is that it is simple enough for anyone to understand and use. We are still cataloging and have only just begun circulating our collection so we will have to wait and see how it works for us, but so far I am pretty pleased. I’m sure it is not a perfect solution, but I’ve been working on setting up a small library for the charter school my sons attend, and we are using libraryworld.com. It is only $365 a year and seems to have all the basic features that a small library would need (circulation, cataloging with Z39.50, an OPAC, etc. ). Another plus is that it is simple enough for anyone to understand and use. We are still cataloging and have only just begun circulating our collection so we will have to wait and see how it works for us, but so far I am pretty pleased.

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