The editors of LSN have just completed a lengthy survey of available automated serial control systems to be published in the March/April 1984 issue of Library Technology Reports.
Of the 47 bibliographic utilities, serial subscription agencies, automated library system vendors and library software developers surveyed, 20 had systems that were operational at the end of 1983, 12 vendors had plans to provide serial control capabilities during 1984 and another 10 indicated some degree of interest in developing such systems in a less defined timeframe. Currently, there are a wide range of options for the automation of serials management ranging from a $70.00 program for an Apple microcomputer to a turnkey multifunction integrated library system that includes serial control and costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. Also available are service bureaus comprising subscription agencies and bibliographic networks that offer services ala carte. The systems that were found to be operational at the end of 1983 are listed below with very brief descriptions.
BASIS TECHNICAL LIBRARY PACKAGE
Battelle Software Products Center
BASIS Marketing Office
505 King Avenue, Room 11-8-112
Columbus, OH 43201 (614) 424—5524 Software package for mainframe or minicomputer. Part of a multifunction library system or standalone serials system.
Price range: multifunction/mainframe $50,000—$55, 000; multifunction/mini $37,000—$40,000; standalone prices not available.
BIBLIOTECH LIBRARY SOFTWARE SYSTEM
Comstow Information Services
302 Boxboro Road,
Stow, MA 01775 (617) 897—7163
Software package for minicomputer. Limited function serials system or part of a multifunction library system. Price range: limited function serials system, $3,000; multifunction library system, $15,000—$20,000.
BOOK TRAK
Follett Library Book Company
4506 Northwest Highway
Crystal Lake, IL 60014 (800) 435—6170
Software package for Apple II and lIe microcomputers. Magazine Control program.
Price:$156.
CARD DATALOG
DTI Data Trek
121 West E Street,
Encinitas, CA 92024 (619) 436—5055
Turnkey system or software package for microcomputers with MS-DOS or CPM
operating systems. Standalone serials system or part of a multifunction library system.
Prices: Turnkey systems $10,000 and up. Serials Control Module, $2,450.
CHECKMATE
CLASS
1415 Koll Circle, Suite 101
San Jose, CA 95112—4698 (408) 289—1756
Capital Systems Group, Inc.
11301 Rockville Pike
Kensington, MD 20895 (301) 881—9400
Gaylord Bros., Inc.
P.O. Box 4901
Syracuse, NY 13221 (800) 448—6160
Software packages for microcomputers.
Prices:$l1500—$3,500.
DOBIS-LEUVEN
IBM
10401 Fernwood Road
Bethesda, MD 20817 (301) 897—2000
Software package for IBM 370 or compatibles. Part of a multifunction integrated library system.
Prices: license fees $52,800 or $64,800 in 24 monthly payments.
EBSCONET SERIALS CONTROL SYSTEM
EBSCO Subscription Services
P.O. Box 1943
Birmingham, AL 35201 (205) 991—6000
Service bureau. Online check-in; system no longer being offered to new customers.
EBSCONET ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE
EBSCO Subscription Services
P.O. Box 1943
Birmingham, AL 35201 (205) 991—6000 Service bureau.
Prices: Complex pricing system determined by options chosen, number of
titles, telecommunication charges, etc.
INNOVACQ
Innovative Interfaces Inc.
2131 University Avenue, Suite 334
Berkeley, CA 94704 (415) 540—0880
Part of a turnkey acquisitions system that includes serials control.
Microprocessor with televideo terminals.
Price:Minimum configuration, $46,500.
LINX
The Faxon Company, Inc.
15 Southwest Park
Westwood, MA 02090 (617) 329-3350
Service bureau offering several options including online access to
Faxon files, electronic mail, routing, online check-in, etc.
Prices: Complex pricing structure determined by services chosen, number of
titles, telecommunication charges, etc.
MAXWELL LIBRARY SYSTEMS
Maxwell Library Systems
Suite 21, 271 Great Road
Acton, MA 01720 (617) 263—2277
Software package for periodicals control to be used in conjunction with MINIMANAGER database management software package for TRS-80 Model I or II microcomputers.
Price:$70.00 plus $150 for MINIMANAGER.
METAMICRO SERIALS CONTROL SYSTEM
MetaMicro Library Systems, Inc.
311 West Laurel, Suite 211
San Antonio, TX 78212 (512) 224—8455
Turnkey system or software package for Southwest Technical Products Corp. S+ microcomputer.
Prices:Turnkey system, $22,500 and up; software package, $6,000.
NOTIS
Northwestern University Library
1935 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60201 (312) 492—7004
Software package for IBM 4300 or compatibles. Part of a multifunction integrated library system.
Price: $50,000.
OCLC SERIALS CONTROL SUBSYSTEM
OCLC Subsystem Support and Training Section
6565 Frantz Road
Dublin, OH 43017 (614) 764—6000
Network service bureau offering various services.
Prices: Cost structure complex and varies according to local network practices.
PERLINE
Blackwell Library Systems, Inc.
310 East Shore Road
Great Neck, NY 11023
(516) 466—5418 or (800) 645—5395
Turnkey systems or software packages for DEC computers with MUMPS operating systems. Standalone or integrated with Bookline monograph acquisitions system. Four configurations offered, 1,000 to 50,000 titles.
Prices: Turnkey systems, $28,125-$93,750; software packages, $18,750— $50,000.
PHILSOM
PHILSOM Network
Washington University
School of Medicine Library
660 South Euclid Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 362—2788
Network service bureau or software package available for replication. Several different versions of the software are in use.
Prices:Complex pricing structure for network users. Software for replication by arrangement.
PROFESSIONAL SOFTWARE SERIAL CONTROL SYSTEM
Professional Software
21 Forest Avenue, Glen Ridge NJ 07028
(201) 748—7658
Software package for TRS-80 Model I
Price: $3,500 (includes cost of keying 300 records).
SEDNA INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Sedna Corporation
970 Raymond Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55114 (612) 647—1101
Software package for DEC PDP 11 series of minis. Part of a multifunction integrated library system or a standalone limited function system.
Price: Pricing varies according to modules selected and amount of applications development required.
UCLA LIBRARY TECHNICAL PROCESSING SYSTEM
University of California Library
Los Angeles, CA 90024
In-house software for integrated multifunction system. Mainframe based. Not generally available for replication.
UNICORN
Sirsi Corporation
8106-B Memorial Parkway
Huntsville, AL 35802 (205) 881—2140
Integrated, multifunction turnkey system. Also available as limited function serial system.
Price: depends on system size and features.
VIRGINIA TECH LIBRARY SYSTEM
Center for Library Automation
416 Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061 (703) 961—5847
Software package for Hewlett-Packard 3000 computer. Part of an integrated multifunction library system.
Price: $60,000.
