February 3, 2000. Innovative Interfaces, the leader in Web-based solutions for libraries, will install its Millennium library automation system at the University of Luton during the summer of this year. Millennium will replace the University's LIBERTAS system, which has been in use since 1991.

Tim Stone, Director of Learning Resources at Luton, said: "Following an exhaustive EC tender process, taking just over a year to complete, we are confident that we have found the best possible successor to LIBERTAS. The replacement library system evaluation team undertook a thorough evaluation of the shortlisted library systems, including extensive reference site visits to existing customers in the UK and eventually to the USA. We were looking for the system which would match the reliability and richness in functionality of LIBERTAS, whilst offering a development path for Learning Resources' services in the 21st century. We believe Millennium will be well received by our staff and students, by preserving the best of our established services and offering the flexibility for developing new initiatives as our Learning Resources mission evolves."

Stone also reported a number of other factors which had influenced their decision: "One of the immediate benefits of Millennium will be the implementation of the Web OPAC which will be used as a gateway to all university library collections and integrate access to both print and digital resources. It is critical that the replacement library management system will be able to manage the growth of the digital collections and the increasing sophistication of library operations.

"The data conversion service was the most complete on offer and we are reassured by Innovative's experience in this critical part of a system migration. We were also impressed with existing customers' experience of using the system and the quality of support offered by Innovative to their customers around the globe."

Bob Radford, Business Manager at Innovative Interfaces, added: "Luton's tender and evaluation process has been one of the most thorough and professional in which we have been involved. It was also one of the most enjoyable, and we were pleased to be able to arrange reference visits for the evaluation team to a variety of Millennium sites. We are glad to have the opportunity to continue the relationship we have built with the University of Luton during the 1990's."

The University of Luton gained its designation in 1993. Today the University aspires to excellence in teaching, serving the needs of 15,000 students. It has established a national reputation for courses that equip students with knowledge and professional skills for the world of work.

The Learning Resources Department provides library and information services, open access computing facilities and audio visual support across six learning resource centres in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The 1,000-seat Centre on the main campus is open 93 hours per week, including weekends, for access to library and computing facilities, and access to digital information sources. The collection stands at over 250,000 books, audio visual and digital materials with over 2,500 print journal subscriptions and access to over 1,000 electronic journals and databases.