Cross Platform Solution
All you need is a PC or Macintosh to begin a new phase in managing your library. Once you've entered information about your library's collection into the database, TLC will do the rest. You'll never file another piece of paper--no lists, forms or 3x5" cards-- to track items in the collection and to monitor daily transactions.
Easiest to Use
TLC takes over after information about your holdings is typed onto the appropriate templates or imported from an existing database. Data is stored for searching with ordinary English words and phrases. No symbols or structured language are ever necessary, and fields can be any length. There are no rules to remember and no additional programming to puzzle over. You can be entirely inexperienced using computers because TLC is completely menu-driven. Librarians click the mouse to select programs from menus. End users do the same from simple mini-menus. TLC retrieves records that have terms matching your search request, and instantly produces a detailed report or bibliography.
Intended for Small to Mid-Size Libraries
TLC is written by an experienced librarian especially for small and mid-size libraries. It is not an adaptation of a system intended for larger libraries. Thus its cataloging module is not MARC-based and does not provide for procedures intended only for those who are part of a bigger system. It does, however, cover many functions not traditional in larger libraries. For example, smaller libraries are not always kept apprised of the daily condition of finances. Thus librarians in smaller organizations are often uncertain about remaining resources. TLC delivers this information at a mouse click, and does it in many different formats to answer a multitude of questions. Most of TLC ‘s accounting programs cover any desired span of time, allowing quick comparisons with earlier time periods.
Date Sensitive Reports Aid Planning
TLC has the capacity to compare the number of your library's records for acquisitions, circulation, and interlibrary loan transactions with earlier years or other time periods so that management can assess trends and plan for future needs. This is as easy as searching for a range of dates, sorting any way you want, and selecting a reporting format. You may confirm that activity is greater during certain parts of the year. This will help you determine the need for future temporary staff and support your request with documentation.
Hassle Free Expert Control for Serials
Serials control is similarly simplified by the elimination of all paperwork. Once the current journal issue is logged in, routing slips or labels can be generated, and card and pocket labels produced. TLC produces ordering, cancellation, and claim forms, lists of missing (un-received) items, routing lists for titles and reading lists for routees. A lengthy note field can record binding information.
In-House Work Product Organizer
The memoranda module allows the user to search the organization's work product or identify other classes of material. It can provide access to the contents of a vertical file or any type of special collection. This is the key to document control via indexing, and your abstracts may be as long as you wish.
Choice of Reporting and Labeling Formats
TLC generates reports in several formats, depending upon which module you are working in. It also prepares working reports in an efficient one-line-per-item format for quick viewing and/or printing of lengthy lists. Headings appear at the top of each abbreviated format report to identify what the list includes. TLC also includes a large selection of labeling programs for LaserJet and dot matrix printers.
Disk Management and Exporting Capability
TLC can export records in almost any existing format. All TLC software can print reports as disk files for transport via modem to outsiders. Completed acquisition, circulation and interlibrary loan records can be placed in searchable reference files to clear active databases for faster searching.
Using Records from Other Software Bibliographic records in any electronic format can be imported without retyping. You can do this yourself or, if you prefer, ON POINT, INC. can import your records for you.
About Purchased Bibliographic Records
ON POINT, INC.'s interface software converts MARC records for use in TLC ‘ s online catalog. The interface takes core information from the MARC record and places it in the appropriate fields on TLC ‘5 templates for monographs, serials and "miscellaneous" items. It ignores fields that TLC does not use, while retaining critical identifying numbers for future reference and verification.
Customization and Security
When you type your library's information, TLC becomes customized. Security is handled by passwords. End users have "blank passwords" for limited access so that they may only search the online catalog via a mini-menu designed for their usage. This approach denies outsiders and non library staff access to all other modules. Another password allows you to edit existing layouts or create entirely new ones.
Buy Only What You Need
It isn't necessary to automate all at once. Resources may be tight this fiscal year. You may wish to have an online catalog and continue other management functions manually. Perhaps your library doesn't engage in interlibrary loan. Maybe your collection is for reference only and does not circulate. TLC is available complete or per module. You can decide to automate additional functions at a later date if you change your mind or when the need is more pressing.
Have It Your Way
Getting information from TLC is as easy as
- searching any fields you wish
- sorting the retrieved records any way you choose
- showing the results in any format you select.
When you print the report, you have complete control over the output. The entire process of compiling a report is your choice from start to finish.
Achieving that Paperless Library
A scheduling module has been developed to work with TLC s catalog module. The document/picture file permits you to view a document or picture when you find its record in the catalog and/or the memoranda module. If you wish, you can provide a link to the file that contains the original text or image if it resides anywhere on your network. The purpose of this feature is to make TLC a better, more efficient tool for simplifying your library's operation.
Software That Works for You
Adding records, updating records, printing forms and labels, and sending records of completed transactions to disk storage are done by clicking the mouse on buttons labeled with the names of their functions. These buttons are grouped on menus. Each menu relates to the others (also accessed via labeled buttons) so that you'll never get confused over how to proceed. In addition, there's a short identifier on the menu explaining what each button does. And help is always available online, in the printed manual, by fax, E-mail, or over the telephone.
Your library on the Web
You can put your library's holdings on your organization's intranet or the internet. TLC is already Web enabled when you receive it. Your users can search your catalog with their browser. They can retrieve and view records individually or in a simple table format. They can see at a glance whether or not each item is available or has been checked out.
TLC's Search Engine
TLC for Windows and Macintosh is a library application of Claris Corporation's FileMaker~ Pro database software.
Minimum Requirements (Windows/Macintosh)
386 SX PC or Apple Macintosh Plus
VGA video adapter
Mouse or pointing device
Ver. 1: 4MB RAM; Ver. 2: 8MB RAM (16MB on NT)
Sufficient hard disk space for library's needs (Complete TLC Version 1: 6MB; Version.2: 9MB)
DOS 3.0 and Windows 3.1 or Windows 95; Windows NT; or Apple System Software 7
Networks: For TLC Version 1. AppleTalk (Phase I & II) or Tops 2.1, 2.2, or 3.0 for Macintosh Novell or any NetBios compatible for PCs Compatibility with AppleTalk Protocol (Farallon); IPX standard (Novell) for mixed For TLC Version 2: IPXISPX or TCP/IP (Web publishing requires Windows 95 or NT and FileMaker Pro 4.0)
Module: CATALOG
Find Matching Records
With TLC ‘s cataloging module you can design your search to find matching terms in any fields you choose. All Boolean combinations are available or you can limit the request to a simple author, title and/or keyword search. Finding what you want is easier because the cataloger can assign keywords and phrases. He/she isn't limited to standard subject headings, or keywords and phrases by themselves. This means you don't have to figure out what subject headings a cataloger may have selected. You can use natural language to define your search because Catalog retrieves records according to the words used in the record. The keyword method is easier for the cataloger too since many keywords may be derived straight from terms used in a publication's table of contents and its scope notes. This makes it possible to avoid the time consuming selection of uniform terms for subject headings.
Controlled Subject Headings/Author Names
The correct form of an author's name can be quickly determined in the list of authors' names. TLC's Catalog also contains the subfile Subjects for those who prefer to use a controlled vocabulary for subject headings. The Subjects file displays broader, narrower and related terms.
Quickly Determine Costs
Management can easily determine the dollar value of a collection even if Catalog is used without the acquisitions module. Ordinarily one would need an acquisition module to determine what had been spent to date. Catalog will total costs for items entered between any dates specified by the user.
What's New? Where Is It?
If you want to list all items shelved permanently outside the main library, Catalog will do it. Likewise you can produce a list of everything kept in any off-site location. New acquisition lists are easily generated, as is a list of records input on any specified date. And the current availability of any item can be determined without leaving Catalog.
Using Catalog With Other Modules
Information about new acquisitions and individual serial issues is automatically transferred from other modules to Catalog so you never need to type information more than once. Information from Catalog is also transferred to Borrow, ILL, and Serials.
Label It Your Way
Catalog gives you the choice between several labeling formats for spine labels and or labelsets which will fit on popular label stock available from library suppliers for your printer. You can generate serialized bar codes and even print your own custom bar code labels.
Non-Print Materials / Technical Reports
You can identify items by type (e.g., non-print materials) or report number (e.g., technical documents). You can also produce a list of all items in any category (e.g., tapes) or a list of reports by number. TLC works well for all types of materials.
Shelflists
One line reporting formats will display your holdings sorted by classification number, barcode, or any other field you wish.
Searching bibliographic records online is fast and accurate. It takes no effort to create a subject bibliography using any combination of words or phrases. For future reference to a printed report, the date of the search and the terms searched will be displayed at the top of the page. Some bibliographies can be exported so that you can include them in documents prepared with word processing software.
Catalog Records on the Web
TLC's Catalog comes to you with Web searching enabled. When you put your Catalog on the Web, you can link to the Catalog from your library's existing home page or use the one we supply with TLC. Just copy our code into your home page and your users can bring your catalog to the screen for browser searching. Search results are displayed in table format or as individual records, with availability clearly indicated.