Selecting LAS: Selection Process

INDEX TO RELATED WEB PAGES
SELECTION PROCESS	SELECTION CRITERIA
QUESTIONS TO ASK LAS VENDORS	PRICING OF LAS
COSTS OF LAS

Scope

• Evaluating and selecting an LAS is, typically, a complex process for any large installation, involving many steps and numerous people.

Steps usually include:

• Involvement of all the personnel utilizing or who will utilize the LAS.
• Review of the literature on LAS.
• Looking at other LAS and talking to library personnel using them.
• Requirements assessment by relevant library and systems personnel for all the possible functional applications of the LAS.
• Weeding out of possible LAS to establish a candidate list (typically 3 or 4).
• Have LAS vendor personnel come and demonstrate their respective products.
• Revise requirements and develop final specifications as basis of a request for proposal (RFP).
• Submit RFP to candidate LAS vendors.
• Analyze proposals and select a final system.

The Process in Small Libraries

• On the other hand, some smaller school, public, and corporate libraries make it a relatively simple decision by one or a few people.
  • Is there money? How much?
  • Is there a LAS we can buy with that money?
  • If there is more than one we can buy for that money, and, if so, which one has the most functionality?
  • You make the selection because nobody else wants to.

To: LT65 INDEX	To: GREENSHEET	To:	To: TOP OF PAGE:
So many urls. So little time. TM
(c) 1996-2003 - optimized for Netscape & 800x600 display