Thanks for this advice Beth. Just want to point out the distinction between an automated catalog and an integrated library system for automating your library. Librarything is an example of the former, but it doesn’t include modules for computerized circulation, etc. Systems such as OPALS, cited on the AJL Wiki, are examples of the latter.
Debbie From: Beth Dwoskin [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2012 8:32 PM To: Lois Ruby; Deborah Stern Cc: Hasafran Subject: Re: [ha-Safran] Correction RE: Automation for small synagogue library I write as a professional cataloger and the chair of a synagogue library committee where we just completed automating our catalog this week. The first consideration is cost. I'm assuming that there are limited resources, because that's usually the case. If you have money, you should interview the librarians who use the various small-library systems that are mentioned on the wiki. We used LibraryWorld, which is about $400/year. If I were to start again, I would use Librarything, which I recommend for libraries that are beginning a project for these reasons: 1. It is virtually free--about $25/year. You can learn the process of cataloging, make mistakes, change your mind, and have crises, all without a meter running. 2. If and when you finish the project, you will have a MARC database that is exportable to any other system you decide to/can afford to use. Beth Dwoskin 2005 Calumet Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Please consider the environment before printing this email. ________________________________ From: Lois Ruby <[email protected]> To: Deborah Stern <[email protected]> Cc: Hasafran <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 6:15 PM Subject: Re: [ha-Safran] Correction RE: Automation for small synagogue library This thread has been so helpful to me as I begin the daunting task of automating a 5,000 volume library at my synagogue -- after being "retired" for about 15 years! Thanks, all. LOIS RUBY Author of The Secret of Laurel Oaks and Strike! Mother Jones and the Colorado Coal Field War (Filter Press, 2012) www.loisruby.com ________________________________ From: "Deborah Stern" <[email protected]> To: "Rachel Haus" <[email protected]>, "Hasafran" <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 3:49:25 PM Subject: [ha-Safran] Correction RE: Automation for small synagogue library Sorry, the survey is from 2010, not 2012. Debbie From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Deborah Stern Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2012 4:55 PM To: Rachel Haus; Hasafran Subject: Re: [ha-Safran] Automation for small synagogue library This page on the AJL Wiki, http://www.jewishlibraries.org/main/Resources/AJLWiki/tabid/200/Default.aspx?topic=Automation+for+Synagogue+and+Center+Libraries, about automation systems for synagogue libraries, resulted from a 2012 survey of AJL members. Although it’s not annotated, there are links to the web sites of most of the systems mentioned. Debbie Stern, AJL VP for Publications Mordecai M. Kaplan Library Reconstructionist Rabbinical College From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Rachel Haus Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2012 11:40 AM To: Hasafran Subject: [ha-Safran] Automation for small synagogue library Dear Hasafranim, I am writing on behalf of a small synagogue in Lansing Michigan with a collection of about 2000 books (they classify with Elazar) . They are thinking of automating, but need advice. While I know this question has been posted many times before, (and I checked out the AJL Wiki on the subject), I wonder if there is more recent and detailed info I can provide. The Wiki is from 2001 and is simply a listing of library automation companies without commentary. We use ResourceMate and so I can comment on my experience, but I wondering if anyone else can suggest programs suitable for a small library and share his/her experiences. Thanks, Rachel Haus Library Director Congregation of Moses Library Kalamazoo MI [email protected] __ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) ================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: [email protected] To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: [email protected] Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list [email protected] https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran __ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) ================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: [email protected] To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: [email protected] Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list [email protected] https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran
__ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) ================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: [email protected] To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: [email protected] Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list [email protected] https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran

