| Follett Software Co. has announced the release of version 5.0 of its
library automation and information access solutions.According to the announcement,
the enhancements will provide easier access to patron information, more
efficient collection management, improved cataloging of bibliographic records,
and expanded searching capabilities.
The new version 5.0 release includes Follett Software's Circulation
Plus, Catalog Plus, WebCollection Plus, and Alliance Plus Online for Windows
and Mac OS. These applications automate library operational tasks; aid
in cataloging; and help students, staff, and patrons find information quickly
and easily. Version 5.0 also includes a number of user-requested features
to improve circulation and collection management, such as acquisitions,
advance booking, and patron empowerment. It allows users to do the following:
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Track vendors, funding sources, orders, line items, and print orders; view
the percentage of remaining budget dollars with new acquisitions functionality
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Reserve items for a future date
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Give patrons access to their circulation information
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Expand the Circulation Desk to full screen size for easier viewing
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Add or edit patrons directly from the Circulation Desk or Patron Maintenance
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Add customized fines for nontraditional library scenarios
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Create a report of patron bar codes by class
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Make inventory easier by splitting collections between locations using
a Follett PHD scanner
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View Z39.50 holdings information, including copy status, via the 852 tag
of the MARC record
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Search by subject, series, or author against a multimillion-item database
of MARC records with Alliance Plus Online
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Clean the database more easily by deleting groups of records at once
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Set the system to automatically delete MARC records when the last copy
of an item is deleted
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Connect to MARC Magician directly from Cataloging for easy record transfer
and cleanup
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Enable Novell NetWare v4.x and v5.x users to post their collection online
with WebCollection Plus
Circulation Plus automates many tasks that the library staff performs routinely:
check in/checkout, overdue notices, fine calculation, holds, renewals,
and inventory. It also makes statistical information readily available
through an assortment of reports.
According to the announcement, Catalog Plus helps students and patrons
find the best information with its powerful searching options, and simplifies
cataloging with extensive aids. Users can conduct traditional text-based
searching; younger students can search with colorful, visual icons.
WebCollection Plus lets students and patrons search library collections
in English, French, or Spanish from any location, 24 hours a day, via the
Internet/intranet. Users can install it on one server for access from multiple
workstations.
Alliance Plus Online eases cataloging by offering 24-hour access to
more than 4 million high-quality MARC records from the Internet. Records
are updated weekly.
Source: Follett Software Co., McHenry, IL, 800/323-3397; http://www.fsc.follett.com. |
