Library Technology Guides

Kaunas (Lithuania), December 3, 1998. Ex Libris and the Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) have today signed a contract under which Ex Libris will supply its ALEPH500 library automation system and certain implementation services to the Lithuanian Academic Libraries association (LABT) of some 15 institutions of higher education. The LABT network is slated to go online with ALEPH in May 1999 and will at its inception involve close to 200 concurrent users. The project was approved by the Rectors' Committee and is financed by the Government of Lithuania.

The following institutions will be serviced by ALEPH:

• Vilnius University Library
• Kaunas University of Technology Library
• Vilnius Pedagogical University Library
• Kaunas Academy of Medicine Library
• Vilnius Gediminas Technical University Library
• Klaipeda University Library
• Lithuanian University of Agriculture Library
• Vytautas Magnus·University Library
• Siauliai University Library
• Lithuanian Academy of Law Library
• Lithuanian Institute of Physical Culture Library
• Vilnius Academy of Arts Library
• Lithuanian Academy of Veterinary Science Library
• Lithuanian Academy of Music Library
• Lithuanian Military Academy Library

Recently, Ex Libris announced the award of a similar libraries network project in the Baltic Republic of Latvia. The Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) Computer Center will act as general coordinator and Ex Libris' contractual partner for this project, having won an internal Lithuanian tender for developing the conceptual model of the new Lithuanian Integrated Library Information System (LIBIS) and LABT network.

Under a separate agreement and special funding, Ex Libris will cooperate very closely with BPIAC, a local contractor and library system author. This arrangement provides for BPIAC to render consultation, data conversion, installation, translation, first-line support and liaison services for the project. Ex Libris will, among other services, train LABT and BPIAC personnel in the configuration, operation and maintenance of ALEPH.

In going out for tender, LABT indicated the following main objectives for its new library automation system:

introduce international data exchange and protection standards;

prevent duplication of catalog entries from Lithuanian and foreign sources;

build a union catalogue and distributed cataloguing facilities;

improve information provision for users in Lithuania and abroad by using internet tools;

reduce delays in document ordering and delivery, increase the accuracy, protection and comprehensiveness of documents;

improve the coordination and management of the 15 participating AMB libraries.

It was determined, says Aleksandras Targamadze, vice rector of the Kaunas University of Technology, that these objectives would best be met with ALEPH500.