SUNY Library Automation Migration
Phase II
Project Implementation Plan
(Revised 2/20/98)

Program's Goals

Outstanding Issues

Personnel Resources

The State University of New York employs various automated library systems to provide OPAC's and circulation systems to a majority of the campuses of the University, including the Community Colleges.

Currently, 40 libraries participate in the SUNY Library Automation Implementation Program (LAIP), a program that runs DRA/Multilis software on the Digital OpenVMS platform. The software and data files are housed on 5 separate servers around the state. Participating libraries connect to the server sites through the SUNYNet Telecommunications System. Each server site services between 6 to 10 libraries. Initial installation of the DRA/Multilis software took place in 1991. SUNY/LAIP utilizes significant funding from SUNY System Administration as well as campus monies.

Data Research Associates (DRA) which owns the DRA/Multilis software is beginning a migration to a new product which will eventually replace the DRA/Multilis software. Such plans by the software vendor to phase out support for Multilis point to a need for SUNY to begin planning for the transition to a new software system.

LASG's Charge to the Committee SUNY's Library Automation Steering Group has developed the following charge:

"SLAM 2--Migration 2. Based on the assessment of the current LAIP Project, define the information service (and technical) goals to be achieved by the acquisition of a library information/automation/technology system for 2001, detailing:

functionality (including functionalities beyond OPAC and Circulation)
security for data and user confidentiality
portability of data to subsequent systems
ability to share data while maintaining security
enrollment verification
deployment strategies
SUNY-wide access
migration potential from current system
support mechanisms (implementation, maintenance and training)
fiscal goals
systems architecture
participation by SUNY libraries"

Program's Goals

Currently identified goals for this program are to:

-Enhance software services/capabilities/functionalities
-Maximize participation of SUNY institutions (all state-funded institutions and community colleges)
-Provide for inter-operability with other SUNY library systems
-Allow for the integration of related reference services (e.g: bibliographic and full-text databases, image databases, electronic journals, etc.)
-Utilize identified strengths from the existing LAIP model, including information from the SLAM1 final report.

Programmatic Assumptions

-All major library software vendors will be "on contract" via New York State Office of General Services' contracts
-Significant funding for this program's acquisition of software, hardware and/or support services will continue to be available from SUNY System Administration -System should utilize relevant, accepted standards (i.e.: MARC, TCP/IP, Z39.50)
-Program should allow for World-wide Web access to SUNY online library catalogs (via hypertext transfer protocol -- HTTP)
-The software should utilize state-of-the-art technology that is available for large-scale production systems
-Selection of software will not be dependent upon any particular brand of hardware and/or operating system
-Systems will reside on SUNY's intranet (currently SUNYNet)
-Program may utilize software components from multiple software vendors -The resulting software system will provide a means of, or an interface to, user authentication and user authorization vis-a-vis the SUNY-wide borrowing of library materials -This project includes important components of the proposed "SUNY Virtual Library"

Outstanding Issues

-Will there be a SUNY System mandate compelling participation in this project?
-If there is such a mandate will it be accompanied by additional SUNY System monies?
-And, if that is the case, how much fiscal support will be forthcoming from SUNY System Administration?
-To what extent does this project dovetail or conflict with the SUNY Virtual Library proposal?
-What are the various levels of campus readiness vis-a-vis this project?
-What level of staffing will be available for work on this project?
-How to establish an equitable distribution of current LAIP set-aside funds?

Personnel Resources

The SLAM II committee can call upon the resources of the SUNY Office of Library and Information Services' (OLIS) staff. In addition, if needed, staff expertise from related offices in SUNY's Advanced Learning & Information Services group can be utilized. It is also likely that the committee will have the services of a Consultant. The hope is that a Project Manager will be designated so as to provide additional human resources.