ACCLAIM AT DERBYSHIRE
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb040348 |
| Date | 01 February 1986 |
| Pages | 4-13 |
| Published date | 01 February 1986 |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management |
4
ACCLAIM AT DERBYSHIRE
Derbyshire one of the pioneers of the turnkey systems approach to
library automation is again making the news in its library systems
development. In one way, it can be seen as going against the
predominant trend to buying in software by developing its next
generation of system in house: Derbyshire is, as far as I am aware,
unique amongst UK public libraries in writing inhouse software for an
integrated stand alone library system. Though some might see this as a
step backwards towards the pre-turnkey climate of the early 70s,
Derbyshire's developments can also be viewed in a positively
progressive light. Many libraries are talking now of a new breed of
integrated systems - of integrated information systems embracing the
whole organisation', with the library 'stand-alone' housekeeping system
merely one component in this larger whole. This broader view of the
integrated information system is very much to the forefront in
Derbyshire's planning and was a major factor in the decision to
develop in house. The system is known as ACCLAIM: Automatic
Centralised Control of Libraries and Inter-Related Materials.
As mentioned, Derbyshire has for nearly 10 years been running a non-
standard and much modified version of the ALS System V on a dedicated
Prime minicomputer. This provided online circulation control with
bibliographic stock files for 14 libraries in the county network. (For
full details see
VINE).
In addition,' there were separate order and
cataloguing systems using in-house software and running on the local
authority's IBM mainframe. The new system will integrate these into a
system accessing a common bibliographic database on a new dedicated
machine.
Background
Around two years ago it became apparent that the existing circulation
system running on the Prime would have to be replaced and the reasons
for doing so would become increasingly compelling with the passage of
time.
They were primarily the result of the inability of the Prime to
handle the increasing transaction loads," limitations imposed because
of the file organisation structure used for the system, and a lack of
storage space. The decision to go ahead with a new system was taken
over 3 years ago early in 1983. Consideration was given to the turnkey
systems then available but a major requirement was compatibility with
the County's IBM hardware. The only IBM software package was
DOBIS/LIBIS,
not then being actively marketed in the UK and in any
case geared more to the needs of the academic library than the public.
This led Derbyshire to consider seriously in-house development and
this was reinforced by the perceived need for integration of the
library system with the County's other information and management
systems.
DIS, the Derbyshire Information System, icnludes part of the
Properties System," Census Data from the Planning Department, Committee
Minutes and Community Resources. This last is a joint development by
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