The document outlines criteria for evaluating library house-keeping software. It discusses administrative details like developer experience, documentation, support and pricing. It also covers hardware requirements, standards compliance, operating systems supported, and key modules for acquisition, cataloging, circulation, indexing and serials management. Important evaluation factors are speed, reliability, security, scalability, internationalization, portability and use of standards.

1. Criteria for Evaluating a Library House-keeping Software S.K.PATIL University Librarian and Professor University of Pune .

2. A. LIBRARY SOFTWARE EVALUATION ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS : i. Who are the developers ii. How long they are in the business and their experience in the software development iii. How comprehensive is the manual iv. Customer support/after sales service v. Complete documentation and training at your site vi. Warranty period

4. B. HARDWARE 1. Check the necessary configuration of the hardware required for the software. 32 bit (Intell) and 64 bit (RISC-Reduced Instruction Set) Digital Alpha, Sun Spark, HP

5. C. STANDARDS MARC ISO Z39.50 Hyperlinks and multimedia support D. OPERATING SYSTEMS i. Number of platform ( operating system ) on which it is available. CISC (Complex Instruction and RISC ( reduced Instruction Set computer Solaris, Linux, UNIX, NT, Windows 2000 ii. How many installations in India and on what platform

6. E. MODULES i. Check whether all the modules for library housekeeping operations are available ii. Check whether there is any differential pricing policy i.e limited records and unlimited records various platform and type of library. Also any concession for multiple copies in case of branch libraries. Some software’s available module by module iii. Whether different logins for different modules available iv. Whether it supports Devanagari script (University/College library)

7. E1. ACQUISITON MODULE i. Type of documents and necessary data entry worksheet ii. Check whether worksheet accommodates all the data elements and the required length for the fields iii. Authority files Author Publishers Recommending authority Currency Budget Vendor Keywords vi. Help keys and assistance for efficient data entry- cut & paste, default value, spell check, etc

8. E1. Acquisition Module: (Continued..) vii. Parameters for more flexibility Letters/text Grace period Default values Price, type of order, auto generation of numbers, Exchange rates Data elements in the output Print/save/display viii. Editing and correction Change of vendor, type, budget head, type,etc Removal of records from a file, order Change of currency, exchange rate, discount, accession number etc.

9. E1. Acquisition Module: (Continued..) ix. Procedures Initiate approval process Updating approval - approval and rejection Ordering Receiving Invoicing and accessioning Exchange rates Budgeting Expenditure analysis.

10. E1. Acquisition Module: (Continued..) ix. Enquiries and output Titles in acquisition On Request Pending Orders Sent for Approval Overdue Orders Approved All Orders Rejected Invoice Details Ordered Unpaid invoices For Accessioning Routing Status ON VENDOR MISCELLANEOUS Directory Titles by Budget Head Titles on Approval Expenditure Analysis Pending Titles Accession Register Orders Titles by Subject Invoices

11. E2. CATALOGING MODULE MAINTENANCE: Update Title - Authority file Remove Title Subject Updates Titles by Accn No. Change Accn No. Change Type of Document Authority Files Thesaurus - Authority file Multimedia Export and import Global modifications Stock verification

12. E2. CATALOGING MODULE (Continued..) SEARCHES: Author Classified Title Boolean Series KWIC Subject Web Interface-Real time status Publishers Library map and locations OUTPUT: Output of all the above mentioned searches. File creation, addition and deletion of records Exporting records of the search Sort and print selected fields Printing of catalogue cards ( not necessary ) Accessions List

13. E3. CIRCULATION Member registration/Directory Parameters Eligibility for various category of users including inter-library loan Basic functions: Check in } All documents including Checkout } loose issues of journals Reservation Renewal Recall/reminder Penalty Binding Enquiries: Status - issue, shelf, reserve, lost, binding

14. E3. CIRCULATION (Continued..) Statistics: Issues during hour Issue during a particular day or period On Member borrowings On subjects Fast moving and slow moving titles System parameters : Number of days Holidays (others same as Directory parameters) Misc: Notices and text Collect notices Book labels overdue notices Registration form Recall notices No due certificate Checkout slip/gate pass Barcoding Member and Book history

15. E4. INDEXING Major functions of a data base such as add, modify, delete, print and sort. E5. SERIALS New serial Enquiries : ordering Missing issues renewing Overdue Recording Sent for binding Reminder Output: Binding same as book acquisition, plus Duplicate issues binding list, holding list. Union Catalogue Export and import of data

16. E6. OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue) Search and printing (All databases) Recommendation, reservation, Cancellation, New additions Item status Web interface

18. Administrative Details Bibliographic Details ISO2709, MARC, XML Export and Import of Data

19. Other features 1. Hyperlinking 2. Barcode Generation Input from key board/ File 3. Location Map 4. Photo display 5. Web OPAC

20. Thanks