HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/15/2002 - STAFF REPORTS (10) DATE: May 15, 2002
TO: City Council
FROM: City Librarian
UPGRADE LIBRARY COMPUTER SYSTEM TO SIRSI INTEGRATED LIBRARY
COMPUTER SYSTEM WITH CURRENT CLIENT/SERVER TECHNOLOGY
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council approve contracting with Sirsi Corporation for the
Unicorn client/server integrated library computer system at a cost of$120,817, using the
Library's portion of Measure Y funds, with the final agreement to be in a form acceptable
to the City Attorney.
SUMMARY:
The Library desires to upgrade its outdated and failing Inlex system to Sirsi's Unicorn.
This upgrade will offer patrons a state-of-the-art library computer system. In
consideration for staying with SIRSI, the Library's current vendor, and performing their
upgrade, the Library is being offered a significant cost savings, since the costs of the
basic package for the next closest: vendor, TLC, was $52,847 higher and for III was
$132,799 higher.
BACKGROUND:
In May 1989, the library installed Inlex library computer software. In the early 1990's
Inlex was purchased by Data Research Associates (DRA). DRA maintained the existing
relationships and contracts with Inlex libraries, and continued to support the Inlex
software, but notified Inlex libraries that it would not continue to do so indefinitely. The
software has become outdated, and, by the mid-1990s, no longer met the needs of the
public. In August 1998, the Library began the first step in its migration to DRA's new
client/server software, Taos, by installing the online public access catalog, Web2.
In August 2001, SIRSI, an industry leader for over twenty-five years, acquired DRA/Inlex
and became the Library's software vendor. Inlex support remains, but no new
enhancements are planned for it; and Taos' development was suspended by year's end,
with several features being incorporated into future Unicorn releases. The June '02
release of Unicorn will fully incorporate the Web2 interface currently used by the Library.
The Unicorn client/server architecture provides the Library with the power to handle
heavy traffic and the versatility to accommodate changing technologies. It will operate
on Windows NT or UNIX. It provides well-defined application programming interfaces for
each Unicorn software module, customizable to meet the library's particular needs.
That portion of Unicorn, and the product that will be most visible to the public, is the
iBistro e-Library. From a single interface, users may simultaneously search the catalog
and any electronic databases staff cares to install, as well as those of other libraries,
cataloged Web sites, and any accessible knowledge source. In addition, users will
access catalog enrichment such as book reviews, summaries, and cover images; and
will receive personalized information and services, such as access to their own
circulation records, all of which can be done at the Library or at home. Users may enter
personal favorites and request that they be e-mailed when the title becomes available.
Many of the attractive features will be similar to those found on Amazon.com or Barnes
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UPGRADE LIBRARY COMPUTER SYSTEM
May 15, 2002
Page Two
& Noble.com. iBistro will be maintained and updated continuously by Sirsi, not library
staff members.
SIRSI provides the full range of services needed for the migration, including training,
system implementation, authority processing, and technical support. Because it is now
the parent company of Inlex/DRA, the databases of those libraries owning the older
software will be transferred without charge, resulting in significant savings. No other
vendor offers this savings.
The two major competitors of SIRSI are Innovative Interfaces and TLC/CARL. Staff
received informal budget-planning pricing from both companies for the basic software
packages which could be considered comparable to SIRSI. The price from Innovative
was $221,900; from TLC $141,948, and from SIRSI $89,101. The total price of
$120,817 from SIRSI reflects additional programs which will enhance the package
offered to the public.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There will be no fiscal impact upon the General Fund. The Library has reserved its
portion of Measure Y funds for this project, including both the hardware and software,
which will be of high visibility to the community and provide significantly improved library
service. The Library Trust Fund has budgeted additional funds for staff and public
training on this Windows-based program.
Margar t Roades
City Librarian
✓ _yI,. �
Harold E. Good
Director of Procurement and
Contracting
APPROVED—
City Manager
Attachments: REVIEWED BY DEPT. OF FINANCE
1. Minute Order
Minute Order No.
APPROVING CONTRACTING WITH SIRS] CORPORATION
FOR THE UNICORN CLIENT/SERVER INTEGRATED LIBRARY
COMPUTER SYSTEM AT A COST OF $120,817, USING THE
LIBRARY'S PORTION OF MEASURE Y FUNDS, WITH THE
FINAL AGREEMENT TO BE IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO
THE CITY ATTORNEY,
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I HEREBY CERTIFY that this Minute Order, approving contracting with Sirsi Corporation
for the Unicorn client/server integrated library computer system at a cost of$120,817,
using the library's portion of Measure Y funds, with the final agreement to be in a form
acceptable to the City Attorney, was approved by the City Council of the City of Palm
Springs, California, in a meeting thereof held on the fifteenth day of May, 2002,
PATRICIA A. SANDERS
City Clerk
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