HELP: Automation ?s

[PAM MULICH <mulichp@WISPLAN.UWEX.EDU>]

Hello LM_Netters,

        I have been an avid LM_Net reader for most of this year and
now I really need to hear from you.  I have been asked to make this
posting by my fellow district librarians, and apologize for the short
time crunch, but we haven't been given much time...I need to hear from
you before July 15!
        Our district has decided to start automating our middle school
and 4 elementary school.  We need to give them our software choice
VERY quickly.  Two of the schools will be done this year and the other
3 within the next 2 years.  We feel pressured to make a good decision
without enough time to get the answers.  So I am asking for your input
and ideas.
        We will be using Macintosh computers.  The schools have
between 350-550 students each.  At the present time we are not
networked, but it has been targeted as a budget priority.  We have
seen demo disks of Alexandria and Winnebago.  The High School has
Follett (IBM) but we are not sure this is right for us.  I have search
the LM_Net Archives and realize that the question has been asked many
times, but would you answer these questions for us?   TIA  Pam

        Please send all replies to me at:  mulichp@wisplan.uwex.edu
        Pam Mulich
        Maywood Elemetary School
        902 Nichols Road
        Monona Grove Schools
        Monona, WI   53716

What system are you using?              For how long?

Do you really like your automation system?

Why or why not.

Have you had problems?          How were they solved?

Do you have both Cat & Circ portions?

Do you have a district union cat?

Can your system be used accross both Mac and IBM platforms?

Is the company "User Friendly"?

How quickly are your questions answered?

What kind of support did you purchase?

What is the process to edit/create your own MARC records?

How long did it take to get things up and running?

Can you access opther libraries?  (Public Library has Dynix)

What process did you use for retrospecive conversion?

                For our K-2 schools:

Have you had experience with young students using your system?

How easy is it for young students to access this system?

Can it search with "Inventive Spelling"/ how accuract must the
students be when searching?

Have you used Kid's Cat?                A similar program?      What?

Again thank you for your help in this quick and important decisoin

                        mulichp@wisplan.uwex.edu
        Pam Mulich
        Maywood Elemetary School
        902 Nichols Road
        Monona Grove Schools,
        Monona, WI  53716


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