Evaluation of an Integrated Library System

DOST come up with a system that would provide a single entry point to all library collections and to other information within the DOST System, ScINET-Phil Integrated Library Management System is developed. The system is in accordance with the international standards, specifically based on USMARC formats. It aims to create a Library system that will possess the combined features of ISIS and ILMS library system that are being used today by most agencies in DOST.

DOST-ScINET-PHIL Integrated Library Management System (SILMS) is a consortium of all the libraries and information centers under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), including the regional offices and some of the Provincial S&T Centers (PSTCs). It composed of 21 agencies under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

It seeks to organize and coordinate the information sourcing and sharing in the DOST system. Its general objective is to promote and improve the flow and use of science and technology (S&T) information through resource sharing and networking.

DOST-ScINET-PHIL Integrated Library Management System (SILMS) is composed of 6 modules, namely:

Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)
Acquisitions Module
Library Holdings Management/ Cataloging Module
Patron Management Module
Ciculation Management Module
Admin and Security Management Module

Here are some of the screen shots of each modules to give you an idea what it looks like.

Front Module

OPAC Module

Acquisition Module

Circulation Mgmt Module

Holdings Module

Library Holdings Module

Patron Module

Press Release Module

Evaluation:

Cost – As part of DOST I could say that were lucky enough because we don’t have to worry about buying an Integrated Library System because DOST provide us an Integrated Library System for our library and it’s called DOST-ScINET-PHIL Integrated Library Management System (SILMS). In the case of cost of hardware and other PC components, in my opinion it wouldn’t be a problem since our own agency and other agencies as well have computers in their own libraries and it meet the specific requirements for the installation of the SILMS Software

 

Maintenance – For the orientation, training, configuration and installation of the SILMS software, DOST particularly STII staff is the one in charge in doing that for all other DOST agencies and if any problems occurred we can contact them anytime to assists us in our needs. Although it will take some time before they could respond because DOST-STII main office is in Bicutan and Quezon City based will have to wait for awhile for their assistance.

 

Ease of Use/Friendliness – PHIVOLCS SILMS is just newly installed in our library, just a month ago, I managed to browse its interface and I could say that its easy to manipulate and navigate with just a slight problem, it has too many drop down boxes that I need to fill up and understand its functionality. Some of the drop down boxes are useful some are not, so if you don’t know its functionality, you’ll end up filling it up with information that is not needed.

 

Accessibility –  Anyone can access the SILMS OPAC because its web based and it will be helpful to the users’ who want to make sure that the item they want is available in the library and at the same time they know where to find the item, especially in DOST System where mostly of the agencies are based in Bicutan and if any case the item you want is not available in Bicutan based agencies and its available in Quezon City based agencies it’s a  waste of time to go to Bicutan because you thought the item was there and in the end the it’s not there and its available in Quezon City based, so online SILMS OPAC would be very helpful.

 

Modules – When it comes to modules and sub modules, all of them where installed all at once, we don’t have to worry about buying other modules and sub modules because all of them where installed.

 

All in all in terms of performance, the system as a whole received good marks.