AUSTIN, TEXAS, May 5, 1998 - Athena was the top-selling library automation system to academic libraries and the second-best selling system to public libraries in 1997, according to the 1998 "Automated System Marketplace" in the April issue of Library Journal.
The "Automated System Marketplace" survey is the most comprehensive of its type in the industry. Its focus is on the number of systems sold during the year, broken down by server-based and microcomputer-based systems.
According to the survey, Nichols sold 36% of the microcomputer-based library automation systems sold to academic libraries in 1997. Nichols sold 25% of the microcomputer-based library automation systems sold to public libraries, according to the survey.
The article states that "one generally thinks of Nichols as a K-12 school library system; however, its new Athena 97 product appealed to a number of small academic sites . . . Nichols continues to be one of the innovative vendors . . . and the popularity of the Athena system should continue."
"Our Internet products, together with Athena, offer unique solutions to public, academic, and corporate libraries," said D. Bruce Butler, President of Nichols. "Athena Webserver allows public and academic libraries to serve more patrons by allowing anyone in the world to access to their collections via the Internet. And corporate libraries are able to serve their current patrons better by making the library available over their Intranets. Library Journal's survey results are evidence that our Internet innovations are appealing to a broad range of library types."
Athena is the best-selling library automation system for Windows and is rated #1 by the American Library Association's Library Technology Reports (L.T.R.). The L.T.R. report rated 36 library automation systems in twelve categories and awarded Athena the highest ratings in 10 of the 12 categories considered and the highest ratings overall. Athena provides circulation, searching, cataloging, Internet solution options, cross-platform capabilities (Windows, Macintosh, and DOS), and related functions for large and small public, academic, corporate, and school libraries and school districts.
Austin, Texas-based Nichols Advanced Technologies, which has additional offices in Edmonton, Alberta and La Crosse, Wisconsin, provides powerful, easy-to-use library solutions for all major microcomputer systems. Founded in 1983, Nichols delivers library automation systems, retrospective conversion services, barcode readers, and automation supplies.