The prospect of a new automation system can be daunting. When do the benefits of moving to something new surpass the deficits of keeping the status quo? Can the products on the market deliver what libraries need to survive and prosper? Are those based on open source more flexible than proprietary systems? What about those deployed in the cloud? These and dozens more questions arise when libraries enter a selection process. Knowing the options is key to arriving at the best answers for your own organization. Marshall Breeding, who has followed the ins and outs of library technology for more than 30 years, gathers together a roster of fellow experts in the field to offer new practioners, library decision makers, and budgeting staff a comprehensive survey of what’s out there. Providing substance beyond the buzzwords and hype, this guide quickly brings readers up to speed while providing practical advice on such topics as RFPs: what they are, how to write them and tips for getting bids; standards, interoperability, and trends in resource sharing; distinguishing between infrastructure-as-service, software-as-service, and platform-as-service when it comes to cloud computing; what you need to know to start planning for cloud computing; how library service platforms differ from the traditional ILS; and factors to consider when comparing e-book platforms . Armed with this book’s clear-sighted perspective, libraries will be empowered to make informed and responsible decisions concerning their technology infrastructure.

Supplementing your local collection through resource sharing is a smart way to ensure your library has the resources to satisfy the needs of your users. Marshall Breeding's new Library Technology Report explores technologies and strategies for sharing resources, helping you streamline workflows and improve resource-sharing services. Covering key strategies like interlibrary loan, consortial borrowing, document delivery, and shared collections, you'll also learn about such trends and services as: OCLC WorldCat Resource Sharing, and other systems that facilitate cooperative, reciprocal lending System-to-system communications that allow integrated systems to interact with resource-sharing environments Technical components that reliably automate patron requests, routing to suppliers with tools for tracking, reporting, and staff intervention as needed Specialised applications that simplify document delivery, such as Ariel, Odyssey, or OCLC s Article Exchange How the NISO Circulation Interchange Protocol (NCIP) can enable borrowing among consortial libraries using separate integrated library systems The Orbis Cascade Alliance consortium, examined using a case study

This directory provides the Web site addresses and descriptions of the sites of all the World Wide Web's members. It also gives information on sponsors and maintainers of the site, special topics covered in each site and descriptions of what can be downloaded for free.