DataLib: Information resource management system
| Published date | 01 March 1990 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb047799 |
| Date | 01 March 1990 |
| Pages | 61-69 |
| Author | Barbara K. Kunkel,Lerinda Luecking Frost,MJ Stivers |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
DATALIB:
INFORMATION
RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM
Barbara K. Kunkel, Lerinda Luecking Frost, and MJ Stivers
Sidebars by Barry Webb, Vicki Vann, and Mary Bongiorno
DataLib is a comprehensive, interactive
information resource management system.
Utilizing state-of-the-art database management
techniques, it supports the full set of automated
library functions: cataloging, retrieval,
circulation, acquisitions, and serials
management. It runs on the DEC VAX and Data
General MV-series computers. A UNIX V version
is also available. The first installation of the
current system was 1984; 24 installations are
now in place.
When the Research Library at
the General
Motors
Research Laboratories in Warren, Michigan began
looking for an automated library system in 1983, the
library staff prepared
a
"shopping
list"
of functions that
it
required to serve its user community of research and
development engineers and scientists.
To support the information needs of its sophisti-
cated group of patrons, the Research Library must
catalog various kinds of specialized information and
maintain
unique records
management
procedures.
The
library staff needed
a
flexible, automated environment
tailored to these special services, rather than a rigidly
defined system that required changes
in
record keeping
operations and procedures.
In the course of investigating various automated
library
systems,
the
Research Library found that many
of the systems were
too
structured to accommodate its
special requirements. However, DataLib, developed
by
Centel Federal Services Corporation,
was
adaptable
and
functional enough
to
be customized
to meet
GMR's
particular applications.
As a result of installing the DataLib automated
system, the Research Library was able to consolidate
support for
all the
libraries
at
the GM Technical Center
in 1985. Today, the Research Library forms the core
of GM's Technical Staffs Group
(TSG)
Libraries.
The
consolidated library system supports five separate
library
locations
with
a
combined collection of 110,000
books and bound volumes and over 1,400 current
periodical subscriptions. The Libraries serve as the
primary source of information resources and services
for GM's Technical Staffs
Group.
This group
provides
leading edge technical support to GM operating units
Kunkel is head of the Technical Information De-
partment at the General Motors Research Laboratories
in Warren, Michigan. Frost is supervisor of the depart-
ment's Scientific Communication Section. Stivers is the
DataLib product manager for Centel Federal Services
Corporation.
—
DATALIB
—
ISSUE 31 (1990, NO.3) 61
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