Library Technology Buying Strategies

Practical advice in making crucial decisions for the technological future of a library can be hard to come by. Since many libraries migrate from one system to another only occasionally, individual librarians might have little opportunity with writing requests for proposals (RFPs) and evaluating library service platforms. Editor Breeding, who authors several of the book's chapters, is a well-respected name in the subject of library automation. This work is a concise and useful guide to planning and purchasing technology in libraries as it guides readers through developing an RFP and taking bids for a library system, while subsequent sections explicate the technologies behind resource sharing and standards for system interoperability, cloud computing, and important criteria for purchasing ebook platforms. There is also an overview of the latest platform offerings along with updated terms for integrated library systems.