3 Systems Support Unit
The staffing of the Unit was revised to take account of (a) the growing use
of information technology in the Library as it progresses towards the virtual
library model (b) the resignation of the Senior Programmer Analyst, and (c) the
continued heavy work load of Sue Steele, the Systems Librarian, not least
because of her continuation in the part-time role as University Webmaster. The
new structure includes the two new positions, Digital Resources Librarian and IT
Training Librarian, and a redesigned position of Senior PC Support Officer.
Recruitment action will occur early in 1998. The two "librarian"
positions will be filled by internal transfer.
Systems Support. A further 100 PC's and 11 printers were
purchased and installed in the Library by the Systems Support team in 1997.
During the year the assistance in the purchasing of computing equipment and the
maintenance of purchase records was provided by the Library's Purchasing Office,
which has facilitated the progressing of orders and the maintenance of the
equipment register. The many innovative information technology projects
developed within the Library have all benefited from the invaluable assistance
of the Systems Librarian and her staff. These include: the Library's imaging
project, audio on demand, as well as many Web-based activities. New projects
supported by the Unit include the Filemaker-Pro data base system for monitoring
the document delivery quotas. The Unit also developed an automatic system for
ensuring that all staff were using the latest version of the University's virus
checking software. A core responsibility of the staff of the Unit is to handle
the hundreds of calls for assistance from computer users received each year by
the Unit's Help Desk and to troubleshoot systems problems.
Replacement of PALS. The Integrated Library Management System PALS
was acquired by the University in 1988/89. It is now obsolete and very expensive
to maintain. Whilst it has given excellent service, and its OPAC and circulation
modules in particular are very efficient, it lacks functionality in its
financial accounting and acquisitions modules. Moreover, notice has been given
that the system will no longer be supported after it has been phased out during
1999-2001 by the State of Minnesota, for which it was originally developed. In
light of these considerations, the University Information Technology Advisory
Committee (UNITAC) supported a request by the Library for funding for a
replacement system to be operational at the start of 1999. UNITAC also approved
the engagement of RMG/CAVAL as the University's consultants in the selection and
acquisition process. A Request for Proposal document was issued late in the year
with a deadline for replies of 6 February 1998.
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