June 8, 1999. Innovative Interfaces, Inc., a leader in information technology for libraries, will install a Millennium library automation system at C/W MARS (Central/Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing), the multi-type library consortium for Central and Western Massachusetts.
The new system, which will go live in September, 1999, will serve a consortium of 128 libraries in 140 locations. One of the largest multi-type (publics, academics, schools, and special libraries) consortia in the country, C/W MARS has a collection of 1.6 million titles and 6 million items; the consortium conducts 7 million circulation transactions per year.
"We chose Innovative Interfaces' Millennium as our next-generation system because of its robust functionality, user-friendliness, and use of leading-edge technology," said C/W MARS Executive Director Joan Kuklinski. "We had a lengthy and rigorous selection process, relying on task forces for several functions: circulation, cataloging, the OPAC, acquisitions, serials, and so on. The overwhelming majority of our task forces rated Innovative first in its class. And we also established a directors'-level committee that took part in the search; they found that Innovative had the most positive references."
Kuklinski added: "We were impressed with Innovative's track record with several types of libraries: publics, consortia, and large systems. We were impressed by Innovative's incremental approach to incorporating new technology and the functionality it brings to resource sharing; we feel that Millennium is a system that can grow with us."
"Serving libraries like C/W MARS is very much part of Innovative's mission," said Innovative President Jerry Kline. "We're very happy to show how Innovative solutions, such as modular and incremental migration, can and do serve large multi-type consortia. We're honored to be able to enter into this partnership with C/W MARS to deliver Millennium to their member libraries."
The consortium will initially install the following modules: Database Management, Java-based Circulation, Java-based Serials, Cataloging, Reserve Book Room, Materials Booking, Inter-library Loan, and Acquisitions.
