[LM_NET] HIT: Sirsi library automation system

[Charlene Bauer <cbauer@NCSMAIL.ORG>]

My question was for a listing of pros and cons of the Sirsi system.  It was 
requested to post a hit of the responses.

Thanks to all who took the time to respond.

Charlene

_________________________________________________

I just started working in a library that has Sirsi.  I've used Winnebago Spectrum 
and Follett Destiny before. This is my first time with Sirsi.  It has only been 4 
days in my new job, but I don't care for Sirsi.  In fact I hate it.  Also, my 
predecessor told me that the support contract is $5,000 a year, my jaw dropped.  
The other software systems charge $500 a year.  I've got to find out why its so 
expensive.

To create reports seems very daunting.  To print out overdues is a mystery.  Just 
to see if a book is checked out requires gymnastics.  Okay, I know, I've got to get 
used to it.  But it's not very friendly so far.

__________________________________________________

We're actually running two verisons of SIRSI now because they are getting ready to 
switch over to a JAVA supported client.  I thought the first version was horrible 
because of the complicated nature of running reports.  The new JAVA client is even 
worse.

I have to say that I do not like the SIRSI product at all.  Everything about it is 
counter-intuitive, especially when it comes to running reports.  The company will 
say that their reports are wonderful because you can customize them down to the 
minutia.  Yeah, not so much....

__________________________________________________

We just automated last year from a paper card catalog to Sirsi.  Of course, it's 
way better than our old drawers of cards! We are an ASP  customer - our collection 
is housed there.  I love not having to worry about back-ups and servers.  I love 
the MCS (Kids) ability to search by pictures.  What you see now from Sirsi however 
will change as they are migrating to a new system.

__________________________________________________

We have used SIRSI since January 2000 and like it very much.

We have over 1.3 million items in 120 library centers.

__________________________________________________

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