LIS-S 554 Library Systems
3 credits
- Prerequisite(s): LIS-S 500, LIS-S 507
- Delivery: Online
- Semesters offered: Spring (Check the schedule to confirm.)
Description
The ILS (Integrated Library System) is still the most important component in an automated library. In S554, you explore the mechanics of the traditional ILS and become familiar with its modules through a series of hands-on exercises in global system configurations, circulation, cataloging, OPAC, serials, and acquisitions. You learn how to categorize your library’s collection and its users in order to create circulation rules that you will use to conduct library business. Much time is spent on populating your virtual library with a variety of records. You also examine library technological standards and related issues involved in implementing, migrating, reporting, and protecting library systems. As a result of current trends in technology and how services are delivered, the traditional ILS is rapidly evolving as well as competing with certain web-based technologies in order to meet patrons’ needs in a more collaborative and interactive manner.
Program Learning Goals Supported
Instructors map their courses to specific LIS Program Goals. Mapped program goals drive the design of each course and what students can expect to generally learn.
- Facilitate Engagement in the Information Ecosystem
- Curate Collections for Designated Communities
- Lead and Manage Libraries, Archives and Other Information Organizations
- Innovate Professional Practice with Information Services and Technology
Learning Outcomes
Instructors develop learning outcomes for their courses. Students can expect to be able to achieve the learning outcomes for a given course after successfully completing the course.
- Contrast the different components of an ILS
- Configure ILS system parameters
- Configure an ILS for items and patrons
- Configure an ILS for circulation rules
- Catalog and refine item records in an ILS
- Create the Acquisition environment for the ILS
- Coordinate the Serials workflow for the ILS
- Circulate materials in an ILS
- Determine enhanced patron services
- Build reports for data analysis and output
- Distinguish library data responsibilities
Course Overview
Instruction is in Canvas. Lessons are organized into Modules whose length may vary.
Module 1: Introduction to the integrated library system
This Module introduces the typical Integrated Library System ( ILS) and its products, both proprietary and open source. Some perspective is given on the historical ILS marketplace and its evolution during the past 40 years.
Module 2: Setting up system preferences for an ILS
To prepare an ILS and make it work as you want for your situation, you have access to system preferences (e.g., MARC flavor, date format, templates, etc.). Many default preferences are set, but you are also able to personalize how a particular system works.
Module 3: Configuring item types
You begin on how to set up and configure an ILS. This period concentrates on ILS item types for a library. Item types differ per library, and per the type of library. Item types comprise both physical and virtual holdings of a library.
Module 4: Configuring patron types
You develop the concept of ILS patron types for a library. You define patron categories and patron attribute types, identifiers, and statistical categories for patron records, depending on the users.
Module 5: Determining circulation and fines rules
You define circulation and fines rules for combinations of libraries, patron categories, and item types. You also examine item circulation alerts: Define rules for check-in and checkout notifications for combinations of libraries, patron categories, and item types.
Module 6: Cataloging
In your library ILS development, you examine the cataloging module, how to get MARC records, and how to manipulate these records and their display. You start to build our collection in the library for future circulation practice.
Module 7: Cataloging and cataloging standards; MARC, Z39.50; Authorities
You continue to work on the cataloging module, using a Z39.50 client to access MARC records.
Module 8: Acquisitions
You explore a typical ILS by examining the Acquisitions module and how it is related to Cataloging and other components. You will use budgets and funds in the ordering process.
Module 9: Serials:
You explore further a typical ILS by examining the Serials module for materials that are received on a predictable pattern. You "catalog" serials but in a different manner than non-repeating resources.
Module 10: Circulation
You examine the Circulation module of an ILS and how to deal with patron registration issues. You create a patron base and use it to circulate items from our collection. You also examine the issues of Interlibrary Loan for libraries and how you can use other library resources with your own ILS.
Module 11: Serving the patron; Patron accounts and enhanced content
For our ILS, you explore the features that will allow us to integrate trending technology with our existing system. You cover the impact of social networking in a typical ILS and how to manage it.
Module 12: Relational databases and reports: SQL reports and guided reports
The ILS database is demystified. You study the concept of the relational database and how it can be addressed by SQL. You also examine GUI report generating. You construct useful reports with both canned and ad hoc reporting features.
Module 13: Statistics wizards
For a typical ILS, you explore the ILS statistics wizard feature to see how our database can provide an overview of library activity. Statistics are essential to any library, but you also discover how statistics can mislead.
Module 14: ILS migration
Extracting data once it is in your system is a major consideration. You look at how data was entered into the system and prepare the database so that the extraction is not corrupt. Migrating your data into a new system involves correct mapping. You will resolve this issue for your ILS.
Policies and Procedures
Please be aware of the following linked policies and procedures. Note that in individual courses instructors will have stipulations specific to their course.