[11944] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
ILLiad as the future of library automation
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Harry M. Kriz)
Thu Jan 22 20:14:54 1998
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 12:11:08 -0600
From: "Harry M. Kriz" <Harry_M_Kriz@vt.edu>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
ILLiad as the future of library automation
We have received many requests for information about ILLiad, Virginia
Tech's automated interlibrary borrowing system. An article describing the
library customer's view and the staff view of ILLiad is scheduled for
publication in Volume 8, Issue 4 of "Journal of Interlibrary Loan,
Document Delivery & Information Supply."
ILLiad has processed some 22,000 customer requests since it began operating
in March 1997. Ten months of refining and managing interlibrary borrowing
under ILLiad has given us a new understanding of library automation in a
customer-driven, networked environment. We believe future library
information systems will adopt the design philosophy embodied in ILLiad.
THE EXISTING MODEL OF LIBRARY AUTOMATION
Until now, library information systems have been monolithic applications
running on centralized computers. Such systems are often described as
"modular." These "modules" may include an OPAC, a serials control
subsystem, and an acquisitions subsystem. However, the modularity of such
systems is more visible in the vendor's software development and marketing
strategy than it is in the operation of the library. Indeed, most vendors'
"modules" are more rightly viewed as parts of a pyramid than as
replaceable, interchangeable components. You cannot easily, if at all, take
one vendor's OPAC and plug in another vendor's acquisitions system to build
an integrated information system.
THE ILLIAD MODEL OF LIBRARY AUTOMATION
ILLiad is a complete departure from traditional library automation systems.
It represents a model of automation that combines replaceable,
interchangeable modules into an integrated customer service process. It has
become apparent that ILLiad is not so much operated by the library staff as
it is serviced by the staff on behalf of the library's customers.
ILLiad is characterized by modularity in every aspect of its operation. It
employs a variety of commercial software packages, custom-written programs,
and the library staff to accomplish the goals of the library customer. For
example, ILLiad's printing functions are implemented at Virginia Tech using
Microsoft Word for Windows. This means that ILLiad has all the formatting,
typographic, and color printing capabilities of Word, without anyone ever
having written a single line of programming code to implement those
printing functions. The appearance and the content of the output are
totally under the control of the library staff. If the library staff
prefers not to use Word, then the staff can plug into ILLiad a different
word processor to be used as ILLiad's printing module.
Similarly, ILLiad's interface with OCLC for searching and requesting items
is implemented at Virginia Tech through OCLC's Passport. (Here I should
emphasize that the library staff keys almost nothing into OCLC. Data entry
into OCLC and data extraction from OCLC are done almost entirely by
automated procedures in ILLiad.) At any time, we in the library can act
independently from ILLiad's vendor to plug in a different telnet client,
change the way searching is done by ILLiad, or even change the union
catalog we use for interlibrary borrowing.
ILLIAD AS A NEW KIND OF LIBRARY SYSTEM
It is apparent that ILLiad is a new kind of library system that presents
libraries with extraordinary flexibility in automating processes that serve
the customer. ILLiad consists of many replaceable modules that can be
customized, and even replaced, by the library staff.
Flexibility and staff customizability imply adaptability without vendor
intervention. This assures rapid response to changing demands from library
customers and to changing conditions in the networked computing environment.
ILLiad is a strategic library information system that directly achieves
customer purposes through customer interaction. ILLiad is not merely a
system for managing back-office library functions. It is not a cost of
doing business, nor is it part of the library's overhead costs. ILLiad
itself is the interlibrary borrowing process and the business of the library.
These unique characteristics of ILLiad change the nature of management of
library systems.
THE MANAGEMENT CHALLENGE OF NETWORKED PROCESSES
ILLiad uses a variety of types of hardware devices attached to a variety of
computers located in a variety of places in the library. It uses laser
printers, color inkjet printers, fax machines, and various removable data
storage devices. ILLiad uses a variety of off-the-shelf software packages.
It enables the library customer to "reach-in" to the interlibrary borrowing
process to change its outcomes.
Management's task in this multi-faceted, networked environment is to find
ways to create and maintain conditions that support this complex of
software and hardware interacting over the network with the library's
customers. Management's success will be measured by the success of library
customers, who alone will determine the continuing viability of libraries.
--Harry
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Harry_M_Kriz@vt.edu 540-231-7052 FAX: 540-231-3694
http://learning.lib.vt.edu/authors/hmkriz.html
University Libraries
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech)
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0434 USA
"What joy to awake every morning in a world so filled with things to learn."
- H. M. Kriz (1994)
