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Tasman District Libraries Choose Spydus |
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22 November, 2002 Tasman District Libraries will become the 16th New Zealand user of the Spydus library management system, from Civica. Spydus
will allow the library to give customers direct access to its
catalogue. This will enable borrowers to make bookings, look up
their own records, carry out research and develop profiles, from
terminals within the library’s four buildings. Within
18 months the library intends to provide customers with access to
these functions via Internet, from their own homes. Tasman
District Libraries selected Spydus to replace a system that was
unable to deliver the automated processes inherent in current
library technology. After seeking proposals from software vendors,
management evaluated their information against a schedule of
requirements and budget, before short-listing two vendors. A
large representative sample of Tasman District Library staff visited
libraries using the two systems, and were able to compare them in
action. “Spydus
was the preferred choice of all our staff, primarily because of its
superior functionality,” said Tasman District Libraries, District
Librarian, Brian Paterson. “After using software that is limited
in its ability to offer enhanced services to our clients, we look
forward to having a system which offers greater flexibility in
customer service functions.” He
added: “Staff will find greater flexibility in the way the
different functions relate to each other. A more user-friendly
search function will make it easier for the average staff member to
find what is needed, and customers can be offered direct access to
service functions. Spydus
will go live during May 2003 at Tasman District Libraries’
Richmond headquarters, as well as in branches at Motueka, Takaka and
Murchison. Some 30 staff will use the new system on Tasman District
Libraries network, and another 80-plus at branch sites will have
access via Intranet. The software will run under the Windows 2000
operating system on a Compaq ML370 server. Tasman
District Libraries have 33,260 customers, some 23,500 of whom are
active borrowers. Issues and renewals for the 12 months to June 2002
totalled 678,197. The
library has 121,466 stock items and 95,309 bibliographic records. Tasman
District Libraries strategies are focused on increasing community
use of library services, which involves promoting services through
direct contact with community groups, and improving accessibility to
these services. “The
opportunities for Web access to services that Spydus will open for
us fit in well with our strategies,” says Brian Paterson. Tasman
District is part of the Nelson region, located on the north-western
tip of New Zealand’s South Island. The district is 9,662 sq km in
area and has a population of almost 44,500. About
Spydus For further information please contact: Chris Thewlis |
