Gunnedah has been in the news lately as the new frontier for coal mining. Now their library also becomes a new frontier for LIBERO.

The Shire of Gunnedah in the North West of New South Wales covers an area of 5,092 square kilometers. It is located in the Upper Namoi Valley and is bordered by the Tamworth Regional Council and Shires of Liverpool Plains, Narrabri and Coonabarabran.

Until now Gunnedah have been part of a Spydus hosted solution for the Tamworth Regional Council. They will now operate an independent LIBERO solution in house.

We are delighted to be working with the Gunnedah staff and look forward to a positive transition and a long and successful working relationship with them.

After thorough research and development Libero has launched its new and drastically improved website, offering great new services and major enhancements to previously offered web services. Communication is key, and we’ve made it even easier to communicate with other users to share knowledge and expertise, keep up to date with news and events and improve the Libero experience.

The site has a range of new and improved services including:

• Enhanced Forums – A new advanced forum system is in place making it even easier to create and participate in discussions. Search capabilities have been drastically improved along with customizable notification options and private messaging.
• Interactive Downloads – Access to Crystal Reports, Procedural Aids and Release Notes have been improved with enhanced navigation, ratings, comments and the ability to share your own reports on the client portal.
• Libero User Group – Dedicated forums and full featured downloads allow User Group members to communicate, download and share information with ease.
• Stay in the loop – Get the latest news and updates with web based news articles, RSS Feeds, weekly and monthly email updates, you can also comment on articles.
• Greater control – Simple registration and control over your client portal account add and remove services, reset your password easily.
• Knowledge Base – Access to the knowledge base within the Libero website.

We’re not done yet! Libero aims to continually put you at the forefront of innovation with exciting new web services and updates already planned for the new website including:

• Browse and download Libero distributions, updates and tools directly from the website
• Instructional videos helping you work more efficiently with Libero.
• Collaborated User Group portal with greater information and member management.
• Greater user participation with user created news and views.
• A plethora of information delivery options including web, RSS and a range of email subscription options.

The new site is live now! You will need to Re-Register your account for access to the Client Portal. Registration is easy, click on register at the top of the website, fill out the basic form and submit your registration, it will be promptly reviewed and approved by the Libero Team and you will be given access to the site and its great new features!

Click here to register now

During the recent Council amalgamations in Queensland Port Douglas Shire Council merged with Cairns City Council.

As part of this amalgamation, Douglas Shire Library transitioned from the Aurora Library Management System to Libero. The ease of use of Libero, together with the skills and support from the Cairns City Library staff, meant that the whole process was able to be done very quickly and efficiently.

We welcome the Port Douglas staff as Libero Users.

At the Awards Night at QUT’s Faculty of Information Technology held on June 2, awards were presented to students who had achieved excellence in their studies.

Among the awards was the Libero Prize presented to Jacqueline Woltsenholme for the highest result in Digital Libraries.

In a world of increasing reliance on digital information,  Insight Informatics supports the training and skilling of new graduates in this evolving side of the role of the Librarian.

Insight supports excellence in Library studies and will continue to support the Awards.

The World Wide Web Consortium, promoting itself as the organization leading the Web to its fullest potential, includes a division called the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI).

The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) develops strategies, guidelines, and resources to help make the Web accessible to people with disabilities.

Over the last twelve months Insight invested a significant amount of development to ensure that the Libero WebOPAC was fully compliant with the guidelines setout by W3C/WAI.

This work was commenced in Libero V5.1 and we are proud to announce that this work was completed in Libero V5.3.

For example if you have members that are visually impaired they will be able to use software that will accurately speak the text of the WebOPAC page that they are browsing. Other devices for the disabled can also be connected and the WebOPAC information will be translated appropriately for their use.

For more information on the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) go to
http://www.w3.org/WAI/

We are pleased to announce that Libero now has a simple and flexible way of defining OpenURL statements that can be targeted to any OpenURL target link resolver.

Insight is also in discussions with TDNet for the purposes of providing our customers a simple to manage and cost effective OpenURL resolver solution.

Library users traditionally search information in an Abstract and Index "A&I" database and then find their citation in the library collection. Reference linking, or the ability to get from a citation to the referred-to article, is taking advantage of new technology to provide immediate access electronically to the citation. In current terminology of reference linking, "Source" is where one would find the citation and "Target" is where one could read the full text.

An OpenURL framework allows building context-sensitive links based on the information contained in the library's specific knowledge base of holdings and references.

Whilst Libero already contains some support for OpenURL source syntax, the Libero OpenURL Gateway is built to leverage the benefits available from third parties in areas that are resource intensive and costly for individual libraries to maintain.

The OpenURL source will be managed in Libero the following way - A parameter is provided to store the location of the Link Resolver. The GMD Parameters will have a new option "Electronic Content via OpenURL". Material whose GMD is marked for Electronic Content will display a link in the WebOPAC to access the additional information. The Libero OpenURL gateway will assemble the necessary OpenURL command structure based on the Parameters in order to retrieve the electronic material.

TDNet's OpenURL Resolver is a software package running on TDNet's server that provides context-sensitive reference links to any individual user among TDNet's customers.

TOUResolver is NISO-compliant and links from reference databases to full text of both OpenURL and non-OpenURL target sources. If full text is not available, TOUResolver will link to document delivery, pay per view, ILL, library catalog(s), or search the web for this article.

TOUResolver is based on complete data of TDNet's journals holdings management or the Knowledge Base. It contains all relevant information of each library including links, linking rules, proxy redirects, passwords for certain providers, and local database redirects.

TDNet's multi-disciplinary Knowledge Base currently comprises of over 100,000 unique titles. TDNet updates the holdings database weekly and relieves the library staff of data maintenance and managing a local server. The library may optionally use TDNet's interface for journals management.

Many libraries want to take advantage of the recent advances in OpenURL linking technology in order to access full text from an article citation. The library often discovers that implementing a link resolver system is a frustrating process for a number of reasons:

• The library would have to complete the labor-intensive task of creating a knowledge base.
• Installing and customizing the link resolver software may require the services of a database specialist or systems programmer
• There are additional hardware costs associated with adding a link resolver server
• The link resolver's inability to link to full text sources that are not OpenURL enabled

The libero OpenURL Gateway provides a totally flexible and cost effective solution and will work with any NISO compliant Link Resolver, plus allows libraries to define their own link resolver with their unique syntax.

Libero 6, which will run in a Web Browser is on the way. The first Beta version will be released to the domestic market in the second quarter of 2008. The International version will follow soon after that.

This will be a hybrid version and will contain all of the circulation functions in the new look and feel. Libero 6 will contain all of the functionality in the existing client/server version, plus more. The current Libero Web product will be replaced by the Web Circulation functionality that comes as part of Libero 6. That means that all of the existing Libero functionality will be available to customers who choose to use Libero in a web-based environment for circulation management. Beta testing is expected to be completed by the end of first quarter of 2008 and the first general release of Libero 6 is expected to be available in the third Quarter of 2008.

Subsequent modules will be redeployed in the browser environment as part of Libero 6 throughout 2008/09, and the complete Browser based Libero 6 is anticipated to be completed by the mid 2009.

In the complete Web Browser based environment, server installs will be intelligent and simple. There will be no need to install any software on the client and upgrades will be simple to perform on the server.

Hosting options will be very cost effective as there will be no need to have citrix or other similar software on the server to host the client software. Therefore customers who choose to take a managed service option will have a low cost, high performance solution.

Over the last few years, Insight has undertaken significant research and development to choose the best technologies to suit libraries' future needs. We are very happy with the results to date and we look forward to seeing the Libero 6 working in a live environment.

 

Just in time for the 2007 Libero Users Conference Geelong Grammar School has installed the newly released Forms Express RFID solution at its Corio campus.

Singular Tag© - RFID that works

The Forms Express RFID solution features the patented �Singular Tag� solution, which effectively combines half a dozen asset make-ready functions into a one-step process.

Head of Library Services at Geelong Grammar, Fran Walsh is naturally excited about the development and looks forward to efficiency gains via the Self Check Kiosk, Asset Stock Management System and enhanced security features. Fran said, "This is an momentous development for the schools library, its staff and students". Further she acknowledged the assistance provided by Santo Cavallaro from Insight Informatics in working with Forms Express staff to create a SIP2 protocol interface between Libero and the Forms Express solution.

Andrew Powell, the General Manager of Forms Express stated that as the first installation of the RFID solution his company was extremely grateful for the co-operation of Fran Walsh and Santo Cavallaro. "As a business focussed on growth through innovation we need partners such as Geelong Grammar School and Libero to progress our concept into reality". We believe our RFID solution breaks new ground in a number of areas of RFID for libraries, we couldn't have gotten this far without the absolute co-operation of Fran and Santo and we see this as the first installation of many.

The Forms Express Singular Tag RFID solution will be on display for all attendees at the years Libero Users Conference, being hosted by Fran Walsh at Geelong Grammar School on the 2nd and 3rd October 2007.

It is with pleasure that Insight welcomes Campbelltown as a valued member of Libero sites after selecting Libero as their new library management software.

Campbelltown City Council, with of the population approximately 143,000, provides a library service which includes 5 branches, a Home Library service, Family History and Local Studies facilities. Currently its membership of 60,000 identifies it as a valued community facility with an annual circulation figure of over 820,00 issues and renewals per year.

As other Libero users are well aware, the project of implementing a new library management system is a huge undertaking. We would like to thank all the Campbelltown staff for their commitment and positive attitude to the project, especially Claire Dawdy, Andrew Gee and Dianne Abbot who have been working closely with Libero's staff during this time. Training is currently being undertaken by the Campbelltown staff and it is anticipated they will "go live" in early November.

We are delighted to be working with the Campbelltown library staff to ensure a positive transition and look forward to assisting them in the use of Libero to ensure the benefits for them and their members continues into the future.

At the recent Awards Night at QUT�s Faculty of Information Technology, awards were presented to students who had achieved excellence in their studies.

Among the awards was the Libero Prize presented to Hero MacDonald for the highest result in Digital Libraries.

Santo Cavallaro of Insight Informatics, presented the Libero
award to Hero on behalf of Insight Informatics.

Insight supports excellence in Library studies and will continue to support the Awards.

The team at Libero are proud to welcome Campbelltown City Library as the newest addition to Libero's valued client's. We look forward to working with them to meet and exceed their system needs.

 

Pleidelsheim, 15.09.2006: Next year, LIB-IT GmbH - specialists in the areas of Data Management, Enterprise Information Management Systems, Library and Portal Software - will equip the municipal libraries in the Austrian city of Linz with LIBERO Library Software. LIB-IT will be acting as a partner with 3M Austria, who won the contract to equip the libraries with RFID and library software.

The main focus of the project, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), is a technology allowing automatic identification and localisation of the existing 300.000 media, and thus represents a further improvement in library services. The integration of numerous interfaces, such as e.g. ePayment, emphasises the leading role of Linz in providing innovative software projects for the benefit of its citizens.

LIB-IT GmbH will install LIBERO in the Linz Central Library and its twelve branch libraries. LIBERO is a fully integrated and RFIDcompatible Library Management System which, in combination with the 3M SelfCheck© Systems, will allow a wider range of Self-Service functions for the library users. The application provides simplified account checking, easier reservation of media as well as an ePayment link and an improved telephone service.

The use of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) allows the automatic wireless identification and localisation of media, provides users with improved self-checking facilities, e.g. the return of items outside opening hours, and permits easy monitoring of "rotating" library stocks. These items "wander" through the various branch libraries and are thus more accessible for library users. LIBERO, the modern Library-Management Tool from the IT specialists in Southern Germany, covers not only all aspects of library activities and their accompanying business procedures, but also provides further advantages - such as a common address pool - due to interfaces with the program of courses offered by the Linz Adult Education Centre.

LIB-IT GmbH will supply 70 licences for the City, Adult Education and Administration Libraries in Linz, and also provide services in the areas of Training, Consulting, Installation, Data Conversion and Interface Programming. The background of the project is the planned relocation of the Linz City Library to the new "Wissensturm" ("Knowledge Tower") in August 2007.

 

Libero had a successful exhibition at The ALIA Information Online Conference held in Sydney and introduced the new look Libero to a wide sector of Corporate, Educational and Government Libraries from all over Australia and New Zealand.

The Libero stand was abuzz with enquiries, a pattern which continued right throughout the Conference. A huge thank you goes to all our clients who took the time out of busy schedules to stop by and offer their support and a friendly familiar smile.

The new look WebOpac which incorporates many of the Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 features was particularly popular. During the conference, Libero gave a presentation on "Demystifying Web2.0 and Library 2.0". It was extremely well received and has since prompted a special line of enquiry of its own. Anyone wishing to receive a printed copy of the information booklet, published especially for the Conference, should email Cyrisse Hickey on cyrisse@libero.com.au and a copy will be forwarded to you. Please remember to include a postal address.

Gosford City Library went "Live" with Libero as planned on Monday 22 January 07. We welcome Gosford Library to our happy group of clients.

Gosford City Library has recently decided to become a Libero Client. Gosford, on the Central Coast of NSW, just north of Sydney, is an area of 1028 sq kilometers with a population of over 160,000 people.

Gosford Library has 8 branches and has a mobile library, a service point at Gosford Railway Station, and a Home Library Service. Some of the Gosford Library service points are in some areas of difficult communications. This is was one of the reasons why Libero was selected. Libero is used by libraries in some very remote locations and covering vast distances.

Gosford Library staff are currently undergoing training.

We welcome Gosford City Library to our Client ranks. The Gosford City Library is expected to "Go Live" on 22 January 06.

On the 22nd February 2006, Bankstown Council's Deputy Mayor, Clr Tania Mihailuk, launched the city's new, state-of-the art Library system, Libero, which will take Bankstown's libraries into people's homes.

"On behalf of the Mayor of Bankstown, Councillor Helen Westwood AM, and all Bankstown City councillors and staff, I am honoured to 'cut the ribbon' and officially launch Libero - taking our libraries to our community!" said Clr Mihailuk to an enthusiastic crowd.

Over and above the standard Libero Library Management System, Bankstown City Library had a number of integration requirements as well as specific functional enhancements.

For Bankstown Council this important change over was a demonstration of good planning, skill and great team work between all parties involved.

"Changing a library collection of 266,476 items on to a new system - while keeping general business running, does not happen overnight," said Richard Colley, General Manager of Bankstown Council.

Over and above the standard Libero Library Management System, Bankstown had a number of integration requirements as well as specific functional enhancements.

Bankstown IT Manager, Maria Cabrera, has taken a wholistic approach to the implementation of information systems at Bankstown. Her vision for the future includes single enterprise wide systems for common functions such as cash management and people's demographic details. "A great outcome" said Mara, "I was very pleased to be able to work with a vendor who not only understood the specialized requirements of our libraries, but also understood how to best integrate the library management system with our enterprise systems."

The implementation of their new system was done with almost no impact on the operational activities of the library. There was only a short period of a few hours during which the system was not available as the data from the legacy system was converted to the Libero system.

"This was an incredible achievement", said Claude Wetsteyn, the project manager for the implementation of Libero. "I was delighted not only with the minimal downtime we experienced but I was also very impressed with the way Insight Informatics were able to implement our specific requirements. I doubt whether any other vendor could have delivered the results we achieved with them".


While this is an important develop for Council's library services, the installation of this software is also an important one for Insight Informatics. This is one of the largest installations in Australia, and one, which the company is keen to showcase to other existing and potential clients. Modifications and expansions of the system were developed, at the request of, and in concert with Council's Library staff and IT services.
This has meant Bankstown's libraries have additional features including mind-mapping search functionality, a picture icon-based WebOpac for the children, and a fully integrated point of sale system.

"We are very pleased to welcome Bankstown City as a new Libero Customer" said Santo Cavallaro, General Manager of Insight Informatics, "And we are looking forward to working closely with them as we continue to build our next generation library system".

Libero was a major sponsor of the recent inaugural Public Libraries Australia conference in Albury. The Conference was attended by nearly 200 people involved in Public Libraries around Australia.

Insights' Santo Cavallaro and Paul Saunders attended the Conference.

The Public Libraries Association will provide a single voice for the issues and concerns of the Public Library sector.

The Trade Exhibition at the conference was opened by Paul Saunders.

Libero announced the roll out of Stage 1 of the Federated Search region covering a territory half the size of Victoria. The roll out of stage 1 encompasses the South/Western part of NSW and provides a combined catalogue of 1.2 million items. The combined catalogues from all regions will be in excess of 3.2 million items, plus collections from new client libraries.

 

Bankstown City Library went to tender for a new Library Management System in December 2004. After an exhaustive process Libero was selected as the new Library Management System to be installed at Bankstown City Library. Bankstown Library has 71,000 members in an area population of 172,000. Circulation is 1,300,000 items per year. Bankstown Library has 4 branches. The former Bankstown LMS was GEAC Advance. Bankstown staff are currently being trained and it is anticipated the "go live" date will be 16 December 2005.

Insight Informatics welcomes Bankstown as another valued client.

CPLA annual conference was held at Gosford, NSW on 20-22 July. The conference was well attended by Libero clients and staff.

The theme of the Conference was Feast of Formats and was capped off on the Thursday evening with the Conference Dinner. Most of the Guests were dressed up in Mediaeval costume, and some people were so well disguised, they were hard to recognise.

Libero sponsored the "Libero Bus", transporting guests between venues for the 3 day conference. Libero also sponsored the cruise on Brisbane Waters.

Guests at the conference were provided alternative streams of events over the 3 days of the Conference. Visits were available to the various libraries operated by Gosford Library. Many guests were re-acquainted with former colleagues and the Conference was of benefit to most who attended.

Upper Hunter Regional Library was the first Library to implement the new LiberoWEB for the operation of all the branches. Libero is used at Muswellbrook, and LiberoWEB has been implemented at the six branches.

UPPER HUNTER REGIONAL LIBRARY
The Upper Hunter Regional Library serves a population of 28,570 in three Local Government Areas in the Upper Hunter Region of NSW. These Local Government areas are Muswellbrook, Merriwa and Scone. The population is distributed across 10,937.4 sq. kilometres. The Regional Library has seven branches at Muswellbrook, Denman, Scone, Aberdeen, Merriwa, Cassilis and Murrurundi. The Region was recently expanded to include parts of the former Murrurundi Shire. The Murrurundi Library is now the 7th Library in the Region.

LiberoWEB
LiberoWEB is the new web-based module of Libero used by smaller Branches of Libraries to provide Issues, Returns, Transfers, Marc Catalogue, Fines, Bulk Changes, Reservations, and Member Maintenance. The new module provides a simpler solution for branches that are not involved in setting parameters, cataloguing, and serials . All available modules are selected from one screen. LiberoWEB operates via the Web in conjunction with the Libero Library Management System.

The SIP2-interface for the connection of automatic self-issue machines is a long-standing component of the LIBERO software, and the interface was enhanced at the beginning of
2005 to permit the connection of media return and sorting equipment.

The return of books outside of library business hours (Bookdrop) now becomes feasible, coupled with a reduction in workload for the return desks - naturally while still taking into account all relevant borrowing charges and other member-relevant parameters. Furthermore, the automatic sorting of media according to library requirements (branch, magazine, reserved items etc.) is no longer a problem.

In line with existing maintenance contracts, this modification as with all other software enhancements will be supplied free of charge to all LIBERO customers with the next LIBERO-Release.

This year's theme is 'Down and loaded: the right information at the right time' acknowledging the innovative activities and services provided by library and information professionals, focussing on the delivery of information via the online environment.

Libero is proud to support our clients in information and service delivery. Libero and Libero's Open Search Portal provide the tools for our clients to access information both within the library as well as external resources including electronic journals as well as other catalogues.

The Libero System has been chosen by Geelong Grammar and will be fully implemented prior to the commencement of the first term in 2005. Corio Library (including Bostock House), Timbertop Campus and Glamorgan Campus will all be running from a cental server.

A prototype of Libero's WebOPAC has been developed which allows members to search local catalogues as well as remote catalogues with a single query

• All functionality developed and serviced by Libero development with no reliance on third party products or support
• Functionality enabled by simple configuration within Libero Parameters. 
• Familiar Libero search interface maximises customer learning curve and compliance. 
• Targeted results sets can be managed through flexible configuration options

Libero provides advanced information searching, retrieval and delivery services to libraries including the ability to: 

• Search across any type of data source simultaneously. 
• Standards-based and proprietary data sources, web, Z39.50, SQL etc. 
• No limit to the number or types of sources searched at one time. 
• Results from different search engines are combined. 
• Results will be combined and displayed in real time when retrieved. 
• Results can be refined by further deduping, filtering and sorting. 
• Access restrictions so that only members of the library have access to materials meeting supplier requirements.

 

The Libero WebOpac now has the potential to provide enrichment to your catalogue display in the form of cover art and reviews from Amazon.com. Customers just need to check that their environment is correctly configured and the information becomes freely available. The enriched content uses port 80 which is a standard port for web browsing but because in some situations the firewall restricts all traffic there is a need to open this port for WebOPAC PCs. It may also be necessary to make changes to proxy settings to allow connections to Amazon.com and other services

Libero Version 5 is currently undergoing beta testing for release to customers. Libero clients can expect to receive a wealth of new functionality building on previous version releases. Highlights include:

• Pictorial Searching - Libero offers a broad range of picture searching options making access to your catalogue that much easier! Building on from a Kid's Catalogue, where access to parts of the collection is available via several levels of searching, Libero now offers one step more - the ability to provide broader image searching to all or part of your collection. 
  
  This new functionality can allow easier access including image searching of your foreign language catalogues, community information catalogues, local history access - the access points are limitless. Like all Libero modules clients are provided with a variety of access points far beyond linking to subjects. Combined with Libero's advanced indexing ability you are now able to provide broader alternative searching. 
  
  If you would like a demonstration on how picture searching can aid access to your foreign language collection (particularly beneficial where members can read but cannot necessary master language structure) or provide easy structured access to other parts of your collection, e.g. community information or local history, we would be happy to demonstrate the wide range of options and benefits.
• 
  Multiple Budget Years - Acquisitions. Libero now allows multiple budget years to be open allowing transactions during any of the active budget years. This new functionality allows greater management of budgets allowing purchasing to take place over multiple financial years. Orders can be finalised in a different financial year. In addition orders can be created for any active budget year providing greater financial management to our customers. 
• Field Level Security now available for Orders and Suppliers - Field level security is now in place for both Orders and Suppliers allowing greater security controls. Systems managers can now not only limit access to functionality but have greater security controls including the ability to limit which fields can be viewed by staff or if fields are able to be viewed whether the information is read only or can be updated. This new functionality meets Libero's standards allowing different settings for each individual user.

This is only a small snapshot of new functions available to you. We will continue to announce new functionality to help in your planning and overall management of your library.

We hope you will be planning to attend your next scheduled User Group Meeting at Riverina Library in May as we plan future development and management directions and work together in planning for the future.

Please note that Extended Maintenance Customers will also receive free New Version Training to help you implement new services with the release of Libero Version 5. To find out more about the benefits of Extended Maintenance please contact our customer services team.

The Inter Library Loans Development Workshop was held on 19 March with representatives from the User Group and the Insight team working together.

The Workshop addressed a series of recommendation on the workings of Inter-Library Loans to be incorporated in Libero.

A Development Specification will be produced. On completion a copy will be forwarded to the User Group.

THE LIBERO UNION SYSTEM AT AACHEN REGION IN GERMANY

Saturday 1st January 2000

The Union

In 1999 LIB-IT supplied the integrated library management system LIBERO for the Library Union in the region of Aachen ( Germany ). This library union is a voluntary association of public libraries (10), museum libraries (2) and one archive library. The Union is a collective catalogue that all participating libraries can contribute to by either cataloguing directly into the union system database or by importing catalogue records to the union database from external sources like internet, other union catalogues, via Z39.50, etc The LIBERO union system implementation started in 1999 with a data conversion from a DOBIS/LIBIS union system, which had approximately 215,000 title records in the union database and it has since grown in excess of 300,000 catalogue records.

Union System and Local Servers

Apart from the shared union catalogue, each library has a server with their own local database, to which they download catalogue records online from the union catalogue, rather than catalogue locally for their own stock. So the ideal case is that one library creates the record in the union database, and then it will be downloaded to all the other 13 local databases, so it then becomes part of the standard literature that is available in all libraries. All catalogue records that have been downloaded can be enriched with additional information by the local libraries, e.g. non-standard subject headings, images, Web Links, links to files in the library's file system, etc.

When a catalogue record is changed on the union server, this change will automatically be transferred within seconds to all the local library catalogues where this specific record has previously been downloaded and will not overwrite special local information that has been added to the record within the local catalogue.

Conversely, the local databases transfer item information to the union server on a daily basis, so that the union catalogue can also be used as a single point of access to all literature and media in the region with information about location, call number, availability, etc.

The size of the local databases varies between 10,000 media and a few hundred users to more than 240,000 title records and 30,000 library users.

Common Ground versus Individual Interests

The configuration of the union with one central union system server plus a number of local database servers guarantees the maximum amount of individual freedom to each partner library in the union as far as the parameter settings for that library are concerned. A certain number of parameters have to be standard throughout the union (e.g., media types and branch codes), but all other parameters (e.g., loan policy, acquisition parameters) are completely under the control of each library and can be configured irrespective of policies of the other libraries in the union. This guarantees the ideal combination of shared cataloguing with individualised loan and acquisition policies, serials maintenance and WebOPAC according to their own corporate identity for all participating libraries.

Union System versus Branch System

In the early 90s, one of the main reasons why the Aachen libraries decided against an individual branch system in favour of a union system was that they are all differently funded. One public library, the two museum libraries and the archive library are funded by the city of Aachen , while the other union members are financed by a different city.

All union members share the cost for the union server and the cataloguing proportionally to the size of their city or institution. But apart from that, every union system member remains under the budget control of their own city. The construction of shared online cataloguing in combination with fully maintained local catalogues through online downloads would also allow each of the union members should they wish the option to cease being part of the union. However, since 1990 when the union was formed no library or city has ever considered opting out of the scheme because it has been so successful.

Academic and Public Libraries

Most of the libraries in the Aachen Union System are public libraries, but they all work to the German cataloguing standards set for scientific libraries. This is owing to the biggest library in the Union , the Oeffentliche Bibliothek der Stadt Aachen, was founded as a scientific municipal library. Items held by the library include old, valuable and scientific stock that needs specific cataloguing and classification.

Even with their large and highly reputable music department, Aachen public library still maintains all the required standards. In addition, Aachen has a video/DVD and a children's department, several branch libraries and a mobile library operating within the suburbs of the city five days a week. Also they run the LIBERO circulation including registration, reservations, etc. In conjunction with the data exchange via the central library server each day and collating the actual cataloguing information the system also maintains the latest available information of stock for the whole combined library system.

In addition to the Aachen public library, the museum libraries and the archive library take care of high quality cataloguing for their own stock. This represents no obstacle to a highly satisfying co-existence with small and medium sized public libraries in the Union system as the shared union catalogue adopts German national cataloguing standards.