INTEGRATED LIBRARY SYSTEMS

Evaluating & Selecting

Why Evaluate

An ILS can be like a Marriage Money, money, money Not just about getting the best deal – It’s

an investment Not evaluating and buying an ILS = a

shot in the dark

The List is Long –

Just to Name a Few: SirsiDynix ExLibris III Inmagic Polaris Softlink EOS Mandarin Cybertools

Follett Evergreen Koha OCLC Serials Solutions VTLS Biblionix Library World

So How Do I Pick?

Library Type Patron Demographics

GIS/Consulting

Civic Technologies Budget

From here, make your initial selection.

Library Type

Large Libraries – Lots of Resources Medium sized Public/Academic Special Libraries “Ebraries”

Then What?

Contact vendorsThis is why knowing the industry is

important Demos Organize List of features for comparison Rank features (?) Quotes $$$$

ILS Demos

Two TypesThe pitch where the vendor walks you

through the ILSAn actual demo of the ILS to play with

These are opportunities to be prepared for

Having a basic understanding of your needs and establishing agreement of those needs is critical

Matrices

Establishing a list or matrix and weighting it can be very important in large libraries with numerous needs

This can be helpful with just a half-dozen established needs in a smaller library such as:

Inmagic EOS Softlink

KM Solutions

RSS

Social Network Integration

Facets

Breadcrumbs

Analytics

Reporting

Google Analytics

Cart Feature

Tools to Guide You

Using some sort of ranking system or means to track features can be a guiding tool

The method can become very systematic with weighting

Other Tools

Marshall Breeding’s Survey Library Visits

in state library list by ILS Listservs Colleagues Conferences

So What?

The point is to use a systematic means of evaluation rather than a haphazard mode of selecting the first vendor who walks through your door.

Think of this like a job hiring process where you:

Each one of these is a “decision point!”

1. Weed out the obvious “losers”

2. Develop your criteria, needs or goals

3. Listen to the “sales pitch”

4. Think $$$

Narrow your choices to no less than 2 vendors if possible

Final Points

Again – you need to know the landscape and industry

Must know what’s available Keep up on current

technologies/developments Attend conferences via web or in person This entire process of evaluation and

selection may inform you as to whether you need an ILS at all.

Summary

Know who’s who Develop clear criteria Follow a selection process Talk to colleagues In short – do your research (you are a

librarian after all!)