Volume 15, Number 6 • June 1998

Associated with the National Online Meeting and IOLS was a large exhibit hall that included vendors with products related to both conferences. The IOLS vendors were many fewer in number than those related to National Online, and they were interspersed throughout. The vendors exhibiting integrated online library systems included Data Research Associates, Follett Software Company, Cuadra Star, Endeavor Information Systems, EOS International, GEAC Computers, Information Dimensions, Innovative Interfaces, Inc., International Library Systems, Nichols Advanced Technologies, Sanderson Computers, SIRSI Corporation, and Winnebago Software.

While not a comprehensive representation of the library automation vendors, this was a large enough sample to get a sense of the current state of the art in library software. No major product announcements were made at the conference, but many of the vendors demonstrated recently updated versions of their products. As a whole, the IOLS vendors were helpful and informative, taking a more low-key approach at this conference than might be the case in larger ones.

The conference program consisted of an introductory panel discussion, 19 presentations, and three half-day workshops. Pamela Cibbarelli, the IOLS '98 program chair, deserves credit for organizing an interesting and relevant 2-day program. Information Today, Inc. was successful in creating a well-organized and well-attended conference. Each of the presentations given in the IOLS meeting was included in conference proceedings published by Information Today and provided to each of the attendees.

The IOLS conference program reflected the current trend toward Web-oriented systems. While some presentations centered on the basics of library automation systems, the great majority of the content focused on ways that libraries can deliver information on the Web. The IOLS program began with a panel discussion on trends in library automation moderated by Information Today and Computers in Libraries editor David Hoffman. Panelists included Pamela Cibbarelli, Richard Boss, Howard McQueen, and myself. Presentations for the remainder of the day were divided into two tracks, one titled "Libraries Embrace the Web" and the other "Expanding Methodologies." The Web-oriented sessions included information on building and maintaining library Web pages as well as describing options available to implement a Web-based online catalog.

The "Expanding Methodologies" track included sessions such as Rider University's Sharon Yang on "New Operating Systems: An Analysis of the Utilization and Potential in Libraries." Yang presented information on how the newer operating environments such as Windows 95 and Windows NT are being used in libraries for integrated systems, CD-ROM databases, and other applications. Nina Platt of the Minnesota Office of the Attorney General discussed the issues related to using database products such as Access and Lotus Notes for library automation. This track concluded with a workshop on "Planning for Library Technology," which I conducted, that surveys a wide range of technology issues and their implications for a library's operation.

The second day of IOLS presentations offered a half-day track on "New Challenges" and a full day of "Library Automation Workshops." In "New Challenges," speakers offered information on a variety of forward-looking topics such as Nancy Bolt's talk on how the Web has made an impact on collection development policies, M. Marlo Brown's presentation on developing tutorials for using the Web, and Cara Helfer's session on using ProCite to create resources for library users, including a catalog of Web-based resources. In this track Gloria Dinerman also presented a 45-minute workshop titled "Response Dynamics: The Evaluation of Responses to your RFP." The alternate track offered two 3-hour workshops. I gave one on "Creating Secure Library Networks: Issues and Technologies," and Pamela Cibbarelli gave her workshop on "Library Automation Software," in which she surveys the latest trends in the IOLS marketplace and gives information on the latest developments and sales figures for each of the major vendors.

For more information on this year's IOLS meeting, visit Information Today's Web site, which includes an online version of the program schedule (https://www.infotoday.com/nom98/program.htm). For each item on the program, the speaker's name and affiliation plus the title and a brief summary of the presentation are provided.

Integrated online library systems are vital to libraries. Whether your library is looking for a new system, planning an upgrade, or just exploring ways to make more effective use of your current environment, this conference continues to be an important source of information.

Marshall Breeding is the technology analyst for the Jean & Alexander Heard Library at Vanderbilt University. He is editor in chief of Library Software Review and has edited or authored several books on library technology and Internet-related topics. His e-mail address is breeding@library.vanderbilt.edu.

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