Bristol, England – March 2007. Caerphilly County Borough Council and Infor UK Libraries Division have recently signed a contract for the implementation of Vubis Smart as the Council's new library automation system.
Caerphilly Borough Council is embarking on a project to implement a Smart Card system across a range of the Council's facilities and services, starting with Libraries and Leisure Services. To ensure that their chosen LMS meets the needs of this project Caerphilly carried out a thorough review of the library automation systems currently on the market through a formal tendering process. This led to the selection of Vubis Smart not only for its well-developed Smart Card capabilities but for its ability to deliver the functions required by the Library Service, both for staff and customers via extensive web based services.
The Vubis Smart implementation will include data migration from the council's existing library system, to deliver both a full MARC21 conversion and to enable data sharing with the Smart Card system. Following installation of the 150 user licence system and the initial test conversion, training of key staff will begin. Once all staff are trained and conversant with the new system, a final live conversion of data will be run, immediately prior to the launch of Vubis Smart across the Borough.
Mary Palmer, Principal Libraries Officer says: "The selection of Vubis Smart as our new Management System will enable Caerphilly County Borough Library Service to play a full role in the deployment of the Council's Smart Card scheme, the first of its kind in Wales. Vubis Smart will offer enhanced library functionality whilst linking to a joint Smart Card scheme with partners in Leisure, enabling customers to access both services via one card, and with the potential for other partners to come on board as the initiative develops."
Steve Barker, General Manager of Infor UK Libraries Division expressed satisfaction with the selection of Vubis Smart. "We were very pleased when Caerphilly selected Vubis Smart as their new Library and Information system and we look forward to continuing our successful relationship with Caerphilly in the coming years. It will be good to see Caerphilly residents making full use of their new system both in their branch libraries and from home via the web OPAC and other services available to them. The continued development and interaction of Smart Card facilities in Wales will build on our experiences in countries like Belgium where our systems have been using Smart Card technology for some time. This is a high profile project being watched with interest by the Welsh Assembly."
Caerphilly County Borough Libraries
Caerphilly Library Service offers a high quality service to the 170,000 residents of Caerphilly through a network of 19 libraries and 4 mobile libraries. It provides access to books, videos, CDs, DVD's and 24/7 access to a growing range of computer based information services. There is also a Toy Library service. Caerphilly libraries have some 218 public computers providing free high-speed access to the Internet.
In addition the library offers downloads of digital versions of the latest bestsellers via NetLibrary, as well as classics, book club favourites and award winning authors. Caerphilly's Schools Library Service has been awarded a prestigious Chartermark for its excellent work with schools in the County Borough. And of course the catalogue is online for both searching and user based services.
About Infor (formerly Geac)
Infor has been at the forefront of library technology for three decades with a rich history of providing innovative solutions to this demanding and diverse market. Major customers across the globe have benefited from our experience and knowledge within the market using our highly respected range of automation tools and facilities. Infor's library products and services incorporate industry standards compliance alongside leading edge technologies to provide efficient and effective solutions to all our customers.
