HomeMy WebLinkAbout16 - Library Database Technology Upgraded
City Council Agenda Item 16
December 12, 2000
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Arts Ft Cultural - Library - Recreation - Seniors
To: Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Board of Library Trustees
Re: Approval of Database Technology Upgrade
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the database and technology upgrade of the library's automation system with
epixtech. The contract is in the amount of $106,010.
BACKGROUND
The library's current automation system was purchased from Dynix, Inc., now known as
epixtech, in 1987. The original text -based system has had yearly upgrades in software and
hardware in the past 13 years. Original hardware was replaced when the Central Library
opened in 1994, and in June 2000. The current system was developed on a proprietary
operating system and allows for no integration of third party standard software. It is now
urgent that the library migrate to the application update called Horizon Sunrise as the existing
Dynix software will have limited future development. The Horizon Sunrise software is written
in accepted standard programming language and runs on an SQL (standard query language)
database manager.
The library will no longer be tied to the vendor for providing product integration services.
Library customers will benefit from this and other software developments including: web -
based interfaces, portals to other databases and customer self - services. Advanced features of
the new software will provide staff members greater control resulting in higher efficiency
when performing routine daily tasks.
The library customers will benefit from a user- friendly system format, with the same interface
regardless of point of access, both within the libraries and through remote access. Usability
and functionality will be increased because of the parallel to other computer and web
functions utilized by library customers which they are already familiar at work or home.
TIMELINE
The Board of Library Trustees and the library staff will begin working on policy decisions
and data conversion parameters as soon as the contract is in place. The new system is
expected to be operational approximately six months after contract signing.
CIP PROJECT FOR FY 2000/01
Funds for this technology update were requested and budgeted in the library's FY 2000/01 CIP
Budget, account number 7271- C4120369.
The City Attorney's office has reviewed and approved the contract as to form.