Mary Ellen
I think CASPR is probably a good program however I would encourage you to
maintain an annual service agreement with the vendor. The service agreement
will include maintenance (when you need it), and also upgrades and
enhancements to the software. I think you should seriously consider
"bundling" the hardware and software together so that the software vendor
isn't blaming the hardware vendor for problems, and vice versa. This is
especially important for a one-person library or small library without
technical support. If you purchase or lease everything as a "package" from
the software vendor, then the vendor is totally responsible for fixing any
problems that arise, including your screen freezes which shouldn't happen.
I would urge you to build annual maintenance fees into your budget, as a
necessary cost of doing business. You will run into problems if you let your
relationship with the vendor lapse. That's my opinion.
Jill Patrick
Director of Library Services
Ontario College of Art & Design
(PS - we have an old Dynix system from Epixtech, and even with a staff of
13, we depend on the annual maintenance agreement to keep us up and
running.)
----- Original Message -----
From: Mary Ellen Lawrence <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2000 10:46 AM
Subject: Small libraries management programs
> I second the comments of Patrice O'Donoghue about librarians, from
> one-librarian libraries, being eager for the professional contact that
> ARLIS and the list provides. I am new in this position and far away from
> colleagues and the ARLIS list helps me feel connected.
>
> I have three questions for the list.
>
> We are a small library of about 14,000 volumes and are in the process of
> changing from an old MAC enviornment to PC's. My questions are these:
>
> 1)We have been using CASPR LibraryWorld98. Does anyone out there have any
> experience with this program? There have been some problems with slowness
> and an inability to catalog journals (with all the contents) and some
> screen freezes. I attribute most of these problems to the computers but I
> am not sure. If you are using this program would you please let me know
> what your experience has been?
>
> 2)I have emailed CASPR, who helped, but told me that my predecessor had
let
> the annual support expire in 1998 and I needed to reinstate this - for a
> considerable sum of money - if I want technical support for their product.
> I wonder how important this service is once you are familiar with the
> program?
>
> 3)I don't want to have to purchase a new catalog system, but if that
> becomes necessary, what programs do other small libraries use?
>
> Thank you in advance!
>
> Mary Ellen
>
> --------------------------------------------
> Mary Ellen Lawrence, Librarian, Syracuse University Florence
> Piazza Savonarola 15 50132 Florence, Italy
> tel.011-39055-571-376 fax.011-39055-5000-531
> [log in to unmask]
>
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__________________________________________________________________
Mail submissions to [log in to unmask]
Administrative matters (file requests, subscription requests, etc)
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ARLIS-L Archives and subscription maintenance:
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Questions may be addressed to list owner at: [log in to unmask]
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