Re: TECH: Columbia aur tomation system info needed

[Jeanette Hayward <jhayward@TMN.COM>]

On Thu, 1 Jun 1995 SUEWHO321@DELPHI.COM wrote:

> I've recently interviewed for an LMS position (brand new K-6 media center).
> They are using Columbia as their automation system. I've only seen discussions
> here about Winnebago and Follett (mostly). If anyone can give me some info
> about the Columbia system, it would be greatly appreciated. If I get a call
> back interview, I can impress them with my knowledge! I've already mentioned
> my membership in LM_NET as a resource. TIA. I'll post a hit if possible.
>   Suzanne Weinheimer, graduate student of LMS at William Paterson College, Wayne
>  NJ.
> email:  suewho321@delphi.com
>
Suzanne, I am a Media Specialist with DoDDS located on the Nato Base in
Keflavik Iceland.  As a DoDDS wide system, I have used Columbia for about
3 years now.  I find it complex and far too encompassing for many school
library collections.  However, it is relatively easy to use if you have
some guidance.  The cataloging section is similar but more complex than
Circulation Plus from Follett.  Because of the type of purchases we make
at the A.T. Mahan High School Media Center (grades 7-12) I find that I do
more original cataloging than most media centers.  But, the downloading
process for Marc Records is fairly simple too.  The security features for
Columbia get to be frustrating since you must close out one section, then
open another to go from cataloging to circulation, etc.  But, once again,
when you get used to doing so, it is not difficul.  Will you be
networked!  If not, the stand-alone version is much easier to deal with
than the networked version, simply because you are avoiding one more step
in the process which can include several steps.  If that makes sense!!!
The best advice I could give you now from personal experience, "Always
backup you data!"  Daily is best.   If you have problems, it is easier to
backup to the last day or so, rather than the last month or so.  Begin
your experience with Columbia with at least 10 different sets of disks
for daily backup and 10 different sets for the monthly backups with all
data stored.
    I'm not sure this has helped much.  However if you have specific
questions which I could answer contact me again.  I'll be happy to share
what experience I have with you.  I am Jeanette Hayward located at the
following email address:
        jeanette@rvik.is
I will be on island for the summer so will be available for questions at
any time.