Having been working since last March with the project team charged with procurement of a single LMS for Ireland (the first part of this project) I'd like to enter a plea for any UK libraries considering a similar approach to bring in some IT expertise at an early stage.
I'm all for vision - it is after all how we establish the goals toward which we stumble - but whatever vision we might construct for a future library service it is likely to require some serious IT to deliver it. Not only that, but it's also quite important not to break the existing service during the transformation process. Ireland has fewer library authorities than the UK but nonetheless is currently served by quite a large number of suppliers of LMS, RFID and other technologies which are - to different degrees - incompatible. A single LMS will solve many of these issues, but first we have to get there.
I understand completely the reluctance to put IT in too powerful a position, too early. I cannot recall ever talking to a local authority IT manager who was eager to embrace the challenges set by even the simplest LMS installation (and running EDI services for Nielsen gave me plenty of practice) so the 'vision' part needs to be carried out - as it was here - by those charged with delivering the service.
But I would respectfully suggest that it's a good idea to get some technical input at a fairly early stage. Pursuing a vision without taking account of the limitations of technology is a bit like setting a destination into a GPS. You will eventually get there, but you might visit some pretty uncomfortable places along the way. So take advice about the route - but don't alter the destination.
Mick
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@mickfortune
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Lindley
Sent: 23 November 2013 10:39
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Ireland: A Draft Strategy for Public Libraries
More information on the transformation of Ireland's libraries via this link: http://www.designinglibraries.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=413
David Lindley
Executive Director
Designing Libraries C.I.C.
t: 01788 822975 m: 07795 957106
www.designinglibraries.org.uk
Designing Libraries is a Community Interest Company limited by guarantee. Registered Office: 5 Lauds Road, Crick, Northamptonshire NN6 7TJ, England. Company registration number: 7795857
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