Whose Job is it Anyway?

The latest issue of Collaborative Librarianship has just been published along with my Technology Matters column entitled, Whose Job is it Anyway? Here's a little snippet:

...the people involved with ReadersFirst represent exactly the kind of library leaders we need involved in all software procurements. They are librarians committed to serving their communities and they understand that, in order to do this, they have to have a very solid understanding of the technology they are using.

 

Library Integrated Library System Procurement

Working with Library to develop an ILS procurement document, evaluate potential vendors, assist with demos and final selection. The approach we took was to work with the library to identify minimum qualifications for vendors to meet in order to be considered for a demonstration. Rather than working with a laundry list of requirements, in the first phase the Library is focusing on identifying the key differentiating qualifications and seeking information about how the ILS vendor handles critical workflows. 

Library Consortium Open Source Library System Evaluation and Selection

Worked with Catamount Library Network to evaluate Koha and Evergreen, two open source ILS options, under consideration. The project included fleshing out two documents that comprehensively define Koha and Evergreen functionality, to articulate the short- and long-term objectives of the network, and then to identify the differentiating factors.  

Lori Ayre worked with the group to capture information about their needs and to help prioritize them. Ultimately, the group was able to identify for themselves the ILS choice that best met their needs.