Jeremy and others in his position might find the following report
interesting background reading:

Harmonising the process of procuring library management systems: a
feasibility study
by Shelagh Fisher, Rachel Delbridge, Sian Lambert. - 60p. - (LIC
research report 99). - ISBN 1902394569.

The full report is available as a PDF file from:
http://www.mmu.ac.uk/h-ss/cerlim/projects/harmonise/harmonise.pdf

The following description of the report, taken from the Resource
website, should help you gauge whether it will be useful:
 
The aim of this research was to determine the feasibility of developing
and disseminating a model system specification which could be used to
assist and guide libraries in the procurement of library management
systems. Forty one specification, collected from libraries which had
recently acquired a library management system, were analysed. The
results demonstrate that the specifications include the same broad
categories of information and requirements, with the majority specifying
requirements for all or most of the core modules (cataloguing,
acquisitions, circulation, serials). The functional requirements
specified for each of the core modules had strong similarities both
within and across the sectors (public, academic, special). A survey of
UK system suppliers was also undertaken to determine the collective view
of suppliers on the role, content, quality and usefulness of the
specification as a procurement tool. The report concludes with
recommendations for the development of a plain English guide to new
technological developments and their implications for libraries, the
development of an annual short course for middle managers currently
involved in procurement, and the development of a toolkit of basic
functions which can be expected in all library management systems."

*****************
Simon Matty
Research Manager
Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries
16 Queen Anne's Gate
London SW1H 9AA
T: 020 7273 1443
F: 020 7273 1404
E: [log in to unmask]
*****************


-----Original Message-----
From: Jeremy Speck [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2002 2:30 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Library catalogue specifications

Hi all

I am in the very early stages (the "Oh-my-God-what-am-I-doing!" stage)
of
writing the specifications for a new library catalogue / management
system.
Can anyone out there who has done this already give me any hints on good
practice, good resources (web sites, literature etc.) or any other do's
and
dont's to help me get the ball rolling.

Muchas gracias!
Jeremy Speck
Information Scientist / Librarian
BirdLife International
Wellbrook Court
Girton Road
Cambridge
CB3 0NA
UK
Tel: +44 (0)1223 279828
Fax: +44 (0)1223 277200
[log in to unmask]
www.birdlife.net