Status Report for February 2000

ANYWHERE, ANYTIME UPDATE

The project is off and running toward implementation! This is an exciting project and TBLC staff is looking forward to working with all of you.

On February 8, 2000, the URSA implementation team was at TBLC. The purpose of this meeting was to talk with representatives from the first three systems that will have the unmediated features configured. Tampa/Hillsborough, Pasco and SUNLINE representatives were present. Lauren worked with the epixtech team the following day and firmed up a timetable for the project. As soon as we receive the updated version of the timetable, we will forward a copy of it to you.

Some important dates are:

Feb 14-17
Telephone interviews for each system will be conducted to confirm the interfacing needed to connect the libraries.

Feb 18- Mar 14
The first set of maps will be created and installed on the Sun server for all the participating libraries except for Palm Harbor. Palm Harbor will be done later in the year when their new Horizon system is stable. About March 14, all library catalogs will be searchable.

Patron access will follow about a week later.

Maps for extended circulation will be built, tested and implemented for one library at a time as follows:

Feb 18-Mar 14 Tampa/Hillsborough Mar 15 – Apr 7 SUNLINE Apr 10 – May 3 Pasco

April 19
Phase 3 begins. Extended circulation will be mapped for the other libraries. At this time, we have not firmed up the order for this group. Please let Lauren know if you have a preference for when your library will be mapped for extended circulation.

There is some overlap in this schedule. More than one person at epixtech will be working on the maps for the project.

The user’s manuals are being updated. The epixtech logo and changes in training for the new version of the software are being incorporated. These manuals should be available to us within the next 2 weeks. Once they arrive, we will make sure that each participating library gets a copy of them.

We have set a training date of March 31 for the trainer workshop. This will be an all day workshop at TBLC. We can host 12 people for this initial workshop. Karen, Beth and Lauren will be part of this training. That leaves nine additional spaces for anyone interested in being included. Each library system should plan to send one person who will become the in-house "expert". They will be the system administrator and trainer for new staff. We also hope this person will assist TBLC staff in scheduling and providing initial training for the staff at your library and possibly nearby libraries. Please let Lauren know who will be available from your library (stokesl@tblc.org).

SUNLINE and SPIN are each considered a single system. If each system sends one person and SUNLINE and Tampa/Hillsborough send two, there should be adequate depth of coverage to accomplish the initial training of interlibrary loan and front line staff with no one library staff person needing to devote an excessive amount of time to training. We will work with the designated "expert" to develop a training plan for each library.

All of the above dates are firm at this point. However, we will remain flexible just in case we have to adjust for unexpected difficulties.