12th ALIA National Library Technicians Conference
9-12 September 2003
Bridging services - embracing reality

State Library of Queensland and the implementation of Voyager

Carreen Dunbar, library technician, Technical Services Branch, Client Services & Collections, State Library of Queensland

In 2002 when the State Library of Queensland implemented the Voyager library management system, it brought to completion a five year project to acquire a new library system to replace the in-house system ORAQLE.

ORAQLE allowed 'traditional' delivery of services and access to print formats but new services and new technologies could not be delivered in a way which allowed integrated access to collections and services. Provision of access to significant collections of non-print formats, including photographic collections and archival materials was simply not possible. It was also impossible to provide a digital service to rural, regional and remote users.

As one of two library technicians invited to take part in the project to evaluate the functionality of the acquisition module of prospective systems I was catapulted from my comfort zone and thrust into the heady world of project work and library management systems. Throughout the project we were involved in almost every aspect, from developing documentation, meeting with representatives of prospective systems, developing evaluation strategies, evaluating systems, implementation, development and delivery of training to acquisitions staff and internal clients.

This paper will describe the process that was undertaken in evaluation of the system, the roles of the technicians involved in the process, the evaluation and implementation phases of the process, what the implementation of the new system has meant to the staff involved and their clients, both internal and external, and finally the 'reality' now that life with a new system has really begun.

..full paper to come

Biography

Carreen began work with the State Library of Queensland as a cadet library technician in Acquisitions in 1998 and completed the Diploma of Library and Information Studies at Southbank Institute of TAFE in 1999.