Ex Libris (UK) Ltd announced today that the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland has signed a contract for the installation of the latest version of ALEPH 500.

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland is one of the world`s oldest and most prestigious medical institutions. Founded in 1784, the RCSI regulates the practice of surgery in Ireland, and also provides medical, surgical, nursing and physiotherapy education at undergraduate and postgraduate level. The RCSI Medical School is one of the largest in Ireland, with over 1,000 students. In addition, the Library serves over 3,000 staff and students in the College`s associated hospitals, and a wide range of health-care professionals throughout Ireland. It is a truly international organization, with more than 60 countries represented among its students and alumni. The RCSI is actively engaged in research, with over 100 research students and many projects covering a wide range of biomedical disciplines.

The RCSI Library is one of Ireland`s best equipped and most modern health information resources, but it also contains a rich heritage of rare books and archives, with over 20,000 books in the history of medicine collections. The ALEPH library system will form an important part of the College`s IT strategy for the new millennium.

The RCSI is the second ALEPH site in Ireland.

"We selected ALEPH," says RCSI Librarian Beatrice Doran "because we were impressed by its functionality and its ultra-modern design. ALEPH represents the best in cutting-edge technology, and we wanted to ensure that the College would remain at the forefront of medical education and training in Ireland - and throughout the world."

Further information on the RCSI can be obtained from the College`s World Wide Web site at www.rcsi.ie .