A New Library Consortia: a view from Ireland
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
This paper describes the MIS (Management Information Systems) Project in Ireland, which is installing a common Library and Academic Management system in fifteen Institutes of Technology in Ireland. The Project began in 1993. Following the development of joint specifications for standard systems, tenders were issued in 1997. The evaluation process resulted in the selection of Innovative Interfaces Inc s , Millennium Library System and SCT s Banner. The MIS Libraries Project provides centralised management services for all of the implementations in Institute Libraries. The use of a common software platform offers many opportunities to enhance co-operation and collaboration. However Institutes have have no practice of such co-operation. Libraries in Institutes have few resources, and are not necessarily incorporated into Institute management and decision making processes. The MIS Libraries Project offers these Libraries an opportunity to change this. Implementations are happening at a time of enormous change for Institutes, with traditional student enrollments declining and the market demanding new and innovative course delivery mechanisms. Concurrently the Celtic Tiger economy is reducing the human capital of Institutes, as key personnel move to the business and other sectors. To grasp the opportunities of the MIS Project and to deal with risks, collective actions are essential. This paper will assess the value, role, and skills required in a project such as this and examine its role as an instigator of change. The paper will address the following: - Vision and strategy - Needs analysis and System Selection - Definition of the MIS Libraries Project - Progress to Date - Implementation Strategy - Charter as a Management Tool - Change Management - Leading towards Co-operation and Collaboration - Opportunities and Threats posed by and to the MIS Libraries Project
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