Each of the vendors developed their own agenda and we listened and asked questions throughout their presentations. These demos were designed as a preliminary and fairly cursory overview of the vendor’s ILS systems. The notes included of those demos are based on the agenda that each of the ILS vendors chose. MLS was able to learn answers to some of our questions and still have several that remain at this time.
Anne updated the group on the communication she has had with the vendors since our demos.
Polaris sent information on a test system and she can now see the administrative module. However, it’s the previous version. They will upgrade the test system soon. The new version of Polaris is a complete revision so it is not really comparable with the previous version.
One goal of the demos is to gain information about the particular ILS to formulate a RFP (Request for Proposal). Currently, we have three (3) demos scheduled:
August 14 8:30-noon (DN) – Polaris
August 15 8:30-noon (DN) – SIRSI
August 16, 8:30-noon (DN) - iii
At this time, only the ILS Task Force members will be present for the demos. Later, we will invite others to participate in further demonstrations of the products (as discussed at the July 2012 Tech Support meeting)
Polaris has sent us a formal proposal that seems very useful and pricing seems more in line with what we might need. Other vendors have sent ballpark figures and have promised a more detailed quote in the future.
Two (2) demos set so far:
August 14 8:30-noon (DN) – Polaris
August 15 8:30-noon (DN) – SIRSI
iii may show us a demo on August 16 8:30-noon while TLC will be toward the end of August.
Each of us discussed our observations of the catalogs and websites on our list to examine. So far we know that we want to learn about the amount of customization available. We were confused by the sorting by relevance and how that is determined.
Anne shared what she learned while attending the ALA Annual Convention in Anaheim, California last month.
She attended the session Selecting the Right Integrated Library System with the following presenters: Andy Peters, Director of Technology, Pioneer Library System, Norman, OK; Desiree Webber, Director, Mustang Public Library, Mustang, OK; Pat Weaver-Meyers, Director, Noble Foundation Library. Anne noted that when we do transition to a different ILS system we will need to close the library system for a few days. She visited the exhibits and thought that was very beneficial since she was able to talk with various vendors and spend time with them asking questions, seeing demos and has continued communicating with them since those visits.
Donna opened the meeting by explaining that we must develop a plan for transitioning to a new ILS system and other related software. In the June Commission packet Donna’s Executive Report explains:
Jim Welch, our long time Deputy Executive Director/Information Technology has announced his retirement effective June 28, 2013. Jim began his career with MLS in October of 1970. Over the years he has had a wide variety of job titles related to information technology; but has always been our “main man” when it comes to automation and information technology. He has been instrumental in the development of our Integrated Library System (ILS) since the early 1970’s. He has written and developed most of the software we currently used for our entire library IT needs, and in tandem with Anne Fischer has managed the hardware and software in an excellent fashion for many years. In addition he has supervised many of the support departments over the years including cataloging, tech processing, maintenance, and the business office. His knowledge and expertise on all matters related to MLS is impressive and colleagues regularly go to him for advice and discussion on a wide variety of topics.
