Schools that offer master's degrees in Library and Information Science incorporate library automation training in their curriculum. For librarians that graduated several years ago, or for those that did not focus on cataloging / automation, a refresher course may be what is needed to make an appropriate ILS decision. There are many types of ILS and just as many vendors that offer them. In today's digital age, new systems are constantly being developed that take advantage of emerging technologies. Taking an automation or ILS class at an ALA-accredited School of Library and Information Science will help you to develop your skills in identifying what type of system exists and which one is right for your library.
Purchasing an ILS is a big step for a library and ILS vendors are aware of this. No two systems are alike. If you are automating your library for the first time, or if you are migrating from one system to the next, you will need training. Virtually all vendors offer some type of training to their clients based on what their needs are. Common training methods offered by vendors include: in-class training, online seminars, tutorials and live technical support. Before purchasing an ILS, be sure that you talk to the vendor about what type of training is available for personnel that will be automating / migrating your collection.
There are many professional organizations dedicated to library automation. Technical services librarians and those who are newly charged with library automation tasks would greatly benefit from joining the Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) division of the American Library Association (ALA). The goal of LITA is provide a community, discussion, forum and learning environment for the development and implementation of automation in the field of library and information science.
American Library Association
LITA
50 E. Huron Street
Chicago IL 60611
800-545-2433
lita.org
The ALA is the official national organization for librarians across the country. Most regions have their own network of organizations that support library staff as well. Getting involved in a local group designed to support automation projects will prove incredibly beneficial to librarians working on first-time automation projects. If you are automating your library in collaboration with another library in your system, setting up one-on-one training sessions with that library will also prove beneficial.
If no one on the library's staff has technical service experience, collaborating with a local library may be an option. Collaborating with another library is ideal for smaller libraries and for those with small budgets. It can also be a beneficial endeavor for everyone. For example, in this situation, a small art library collaborating with a local university will have access to sophisticated ILS software they would not otherwise be able to purchase. The university, in turn, now has access to educational art materials that support its art program that faculty previously didn't know existed.