Armed with this book’s clear-sighted perspective, libraries will be empowered to make informed and responsible decisions concerning their technology infrastructure.
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.
Breeding, an independent consultant, speaker, and author, advises libraries on buying new automation systems. He explains the traditional request for proposal (RFP) and its parts, to give to prospective vendors and for outlining the requirements for purchasing an integrated library system; how to incorporate the library's needs and desires when writing the RFP; systems for resource sharing and key standards for interoperability for them; types of and planning for cloud computing; library service platforms; and criteria for purchasing ebook platforms. This edition has updated chapters. Annotation ©2016 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
