Cendrella Habre presented on planning for library automation at the Lebanese American University. She outlined a multi-phase process including pre-planning, data collection, system selection, and retrospective conversion. Habre emphasized assigning a project manager, communicating with stakeholders, keeping a reasonable schedule, and training staff strategically. For migrating between systems, she recommended extracting data carefully, establishing workflows in a test database, and assessing the new system. Flexibility and teamwork are keys to successful implementation.

1. Planning for Library
Automation
By
Cendrella Habre
Automation Librarian
Lebanese American University
LEBANESE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
Lecture
March 11, 2005
04/18/12 Cendrella Habre (chabre@lau.edu.lb) 1

2. Efficiency of Automation
• Budget Control
• Productivity
• Access
• Quality Control (Mainly)
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3. Automation vs. Library Status
• Moving from manual to online
• Migrating from one ILS to
another
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4. Planning for Automation
Pre-planning phase
• Assign project manager (Automation/
Systems Librarian)
• Send proposal to higher
administration for approval (project
and budget)
• Create an adhoc committee (never be
the only decision-maker)
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5. Manual to Online
Planning for Automation
Phase 1
• Data Collection/Assessment:
– Number of titles and volumes in your
collection
– Circulation information
– Patrons
– Acquisitions
– Usage data (average and peak)
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6. Manual to Online
Planning for Automation
Phase 2
• Selecting the System:
– Professional literature
– Professional contacts
– Limitations (i.e.,Oracle, budget, etc.)
– RFP
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7. Manual to Online
Planning for Automation
Phase 3
• Retrospective conversion:
– Shelflist analysis (inventory before or
after?)
– Inhouse vs. outsourcing
– Barcoding
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8. Old to New ILS
• Life span: 10-15 years
• Project manager
• Keep a sane schedule (move slowly -- per module)
• Communicate (with staff, administration, public)
• Train strategically (staff trainer or paid trainer)
• Keep focused vs. accomplishing daily work
• Migrate (extract data, establish workflow,
establish a test database, review data carefully,
migrate the data)
• Assess new system
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9. Helpful Sources
• Abdallah, C.H. (2000). Guidelines for retrospective conversion of
library collections. LLA Newsletter, 7(2), pp.20-23.
• Abdallah, C.H. (1999). Phases of library automation. LLA
Newsletter,7(1), pp.20-24.
• Abdallah, C.H. (1999). Why automate?. LLA Newsletter, 6(2&3),
pp.14-16.
• Breeding, M. (2004). Migration down, innovation up: Consortia
purchasing on the rise, more school libraries buy through districts.
Library Journal, 129(6), pp.46-58.
• Seeman, C. (2003). Migrating successfully: Corey Seeman
offers eight points to keep your system migration on track. Library
Journal, 128(17), pp.S16-19.
• Walker, N. (2003). Model RFP for integrated library system products.
Library Technology Reports, 39(4), pp.1-64.
• www.biblio-tech.com AND www.openrfp.com
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10. Being flexible & team work is the
key for a successful ILS
implementation/migration
GO FOR IT!
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