MassCat’s move to open source software: Why? (NELINET, October 28, 2008)

What is MassCat? A resource sharing network of libraries that are not part of the other library networks in the state. Unusual, unique and unexpected! Affordable -- the cost of operating MassCat is offset somewhat by funding from 5 of the Massachusetts Regional Library Systems

A resource sharing network of libraries that are not part of the other library networks in the state.

Unusual, unique and unexpected!

Affordable -- the cost of operating MassCat is offset somewhat by funding from 5 of the Massachusetts Regional Library Systems

Who belongs to MassCat? 93 libraries from all around Massachusetts currently belong. School, special, academic, medical, and some public libraries belong to MassCat.

93 libraries from all around Massachusetts currently belong.

School, special, academic, medical, and some public libraries belong to MassCat.

Member Library Details 49 Schools 20 Medical/hospital 14 Special 7 Public 3 Academic 13 from Central Region 27 from Metrowest 20 from Northeast 22 from Southeastern 11 from Western

49 Schools

20 Medical/hospital

14 Special

7 Public

3 Academic

13 from Central Region

27 from Metrowest

20 from Northeast

22 from Southeastern

11 from Western

Database Details Over 625,000 bibliographic records Over 1,200,000 holdings New records added daily Over 1,100 loan requests negotiated among members last year

Over 625,000 bibliographic records

Over 1,200,000 holdings

New records added daily

Over 1,100 loan requests negotiated among members last year

Previous System Details System completely Web-based and hosted by vendor. No software (other than Web browser) needed by libraries. Small piece of software (for cataloging full records) needed by administrator. No shelf status available, just call number data (similar to OCLC)

System completely Web-based and hosted by vendor.

No software (other than Web browser) needed by libraries.

Small piece of software (for cataloging full records) needed by administrator.

No shelf status available, just call number data (similar to OCLC)

Features Previously Offered to Members Web-based OPAC that library users can search from anywhere. Rich source of MARC records and simple cataloging interface. Electronic method of placing borrowing requests and responding to requests for loan.

Web-based OPAC that library users can search from anywhere.

Rich source of MARC records and simple cataloging interface.

Electronic method of placing borrowing requests and responding to requests for loan.

Why Change Systems? MassCat wasn’t offering services that libraries needed and members were leaving. ILL system was clunky and cumbersome and deterred resource sharing. OPAC was outdated. Adding additional services to system was expensive.

MassCat wasn’t offering services that libraries needed and members were leaving.

ILL system was clunky and cumbersome and deterred resource sharing.

OPAC was outdated.

Adding additional services to system was expensive.

Process for Determining Need Survey! Surveyed members regarding opinion of current system. Asked members what services they wanted MassCat to offer. Held focus groups with members and gathered more in-depth opinions.

Survey! Surveyed members regarding opinion of current system.

Asked members what services they wanted MassCat to offer.

Held focus groups with members and gathered more in-depth opinions.

Process for Changing Systems Issued an RFP. Reviewed proposals. Held vendor demonstrations (invited members to attend demos) Chose vendor and product.

Issued an RFP.

Reviewed proposals.

Held vendor demonstrations (invited members to attend demos)

Chose vendor and product.

Next Generation of MassCat More robust OPAC. More user-based capabilities such as review writing and ability to place and track their requests. Circulation! Serials Management! Acquisitions!

More robust OPAC.

More user-based capabilities such as review writing and ability to place and track their requests.

Circulation!

Serials Management!

Acquisitions!

Why Open Source? Flexibility. More direct influence on the direction of software development. Direct benefit from any investment made by any other library or library system using the software.

Flexibility.

More direct influence on the direction of software development.

Direct benefit from any investment made by any other library or library system using the software.

Where is MassCat now? Finished loading bibliographic and patron data to Koha. Trained all 29 full circulating libraries. Ordered some development work for cataloging module of system. Remaining 64 “associate” (non-circulating) members will be trained once development is finished and tested.

Finished loading bibliographic and patron data to Koha.

Trained all 29 full circulating libraries.

Ordered some development work for cataloging module of system.

Remaining 64 “associate” (non-circulating) members will be trained once development is finished and tested.

Links and More Information Demo Site Hosted by LibLime: http://liblime.com/demos (usernames and passwords are presented directly on the Webpage)

Demo Site Hosted by LibLime:

http://liblime.com/demos

(usernames and passwords are presented directly on the Webpage)

More Information Contact me with questions anytime: Nora Blake MassCat Manager 413-665-5511 [email_address]

Contact me with questions anytime:

Nora Blake

MassCat Manager

413-665-5511

[email_address]