A multi-user microcomputer system for small libraries*

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Leggate, Peter

Affiliations: Oxford Region Library and Information Service, Cairns Library, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, England

Note: [*] Version of a paper presented at the First European Conference of Medical Libraries, Brussels, 22–25 October 1986.

Abstract: The Cairns health care library provided the basis for a research project, funded by the British Library Research and Development Department, which developed a multi-user microcomputer system for small libraries. A small library was defined as one with a combined staff and non-staff budget in the range of £25,000–£250,000. The outcome was an integrated software package, BookshelF, which runs on the PICK operating system on multi or single-user configurations. It offers acquisitions, cataloguing, catalogue enquiry, circulation control, serials control and online search modules. The paper outlines the design parameters for this package, which were based on a survey of seven small libraries, and some characteristics of the software. Features of PICK are also discussed.

DOI: 10.3233/ISU-1988-8105

Journal: Information Services & Use, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 31-38, 1988