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DATE: JUNE 16, 1989 <br />TO: JAMES CHANDLER <br />COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR <br />THRU: H.T. "SONNY" DEAN, DIRECTO <br />DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES <br />FROM: LYNN WILLIAMS LYNN WALSH MARYO L <br />PROJEC AGE NORTH COUNTY LIBRARY MAIN LIBRARY <br />LIBRAR UCTION DIRECTOR DIRECTOR <br />SUBJECT: AUTOMATION SYSTEM INDIAN RIVER COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM <br />BACKGROUND: <br />RMG Consultants of Chicago, Ill., provided a report titled Plans and <br />Recommendations for Automated System and Services for the Indian River <br />County Library System. This report submitted prior to the <br />Library Bond issue and the subsequent update received in March <br />1989, outlined the benefits, costs and impacts Indian River <br />County could expect from automating library services. <br />The reports essentially established a budget amount of $300,000 included <br />in the September 1986 Bond referendum.passed by the voters of <br />Indian River County. <br />Several scenarios were set forth in the orginal report as to size, <br />configuration, location and timing. These possibilities were eventually <br />narrowed to a final recommendation endorsed and supported by the staff <br />(highlighted below). <br />1) Purchase an automated system sufficient in size to <br />serve both new libraries. <br />2) The system should be easily expandable to allow <br />for growth within the library system. <br />3) The system should be purchased from a "turn key <br />vendor" capable of'providing a "total system." <br />4) The system should be installed in -the existing <br />Main Library and serve the North County Community <br />Library via telecommunications network. <br />5) The system should be relocated to the New Main <br />Library upon its completion. <br />6) The system should be operable for the opening of <br />the new facilities. <br />It is obvious from the "highlights" listed above, that automation is a <br />significant undertaking when coupled with the construction and reloca- <br />tion of two library facilities. Upon my involvement in the design <br />process for the new libraries, questions concerning automation and its <br />impact were raised. Planning for the cabling and power requirements are <br />proceeding in a generic state within the designs. The impact to <br />the design is not considered an insurmountable problem. <br />However, staff has a major concern with the projected time required to <br />obtain automation equipment, software and convert the card catalog <br />information to useable format for an automated library. RMG Consultants <br />has projected a time frame of approximately eighteen (18) months for <br />1 0 <br />