Talis and Lancashire County Council celebrated Lancashire becoming Talis's first 1000 User System at the recent Library + Information Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

Lancashire County Council's libraries are being transformed into electronic centres of excellence in preparation for the Millennium and have selected Talis, who have a reputation for being a sophisticated, professional organisation in tune with its customers.

David Lightfoot of Lancashire said "we are using the Internet to open up our resources to library users and make public resources more readily available, regardless of location".

Talis's library management system will provide on-line, unlimited access to 17 million bibliographic records with fast response times and will support information services provided by Lancashire County Council.

Will Downey, Talis's Marketing & Business Development Director believes that the market is demanding new and upgraded Library Management systems with more integrated sub packages facilitating external access, with improved functionality and interoperability. Libraries have moved way beyond the basics of lending books to local residents, they are becoming information centres, providing material in the format the user demands, whether this be books, videos, CDs or the Internet. The Web is becoming the central vehicle for future processes, access, commerce and trade. Talis is rising to this challenge.

Lancashire County Council is a clear example of how important a shared strategic vision of the future is between partners, to maximise opportunities in the information age.