I've added a new article on
next generation ('next gen') library systems. It covers resource *management* as the new generation of library search and
discovery services are covered in their own article . In trying to define 'next generation' I've listed the following characteristics:-
- Search and discovery for end users is clearly 'de-coupled' 'back-end' resource management
- The
overall architecture of the system in based around a (web based)
Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) model to allow easier integration
with 'admin' systems such as student registry and finance. There is a
move away from a silo --'stand-alone' system to what has been called a
'library platform' approach where various components and sub systems are
'loosely' coupled (SOA) to provide an overall solution
- Systems are typically 'cloud'
based. This is a move away from more conventional 'hosting' to a system
that is a single entity that is shared by many separate and distinct
libraries. Such 'multi-tenant' systems offer economies of scale and the
opportunity to better share data (bibliographic, data on suppliers,
licences etc) across the organisations that share the system
- The management of print and electronic (digital) resources are integrated (or 'unified)
- Related to the above is more attention to improved workflows leading to a lower cost of ownership
These can of course be argued about and certainly not all the sysetms that might be called 'next generation' have all these attributes--at least not yet
Ken Chad
www.kenchadconsulting.com
