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An integrated library system (ILS), also known as a library management system (LMS),^[1]^[2] is an enterprise resource planning system for a library, used to track items owned, orders made, bills paid, and patrons who have borrowed.

An ILS usually comprises a relational database, software to interact with that database, and two graphical user interfaces (one for patrons, one for staff). Most ILSes separate software functions into discrete programs called modules, each of them integrated with a unified interface. Examples of modules might include:

acquisitions (ordering, receiving, and invoicing materials)
cataloging (classifying and indexing materials)
circulation (lending materials to patrons and receiving them back)
serials (tracking magazine and newspaper holdings)
the OPAC (public interface for users)

Each patron and item has a unique ID in the database that allows the ILS to track its activity.

Larger libraries use an ILS to order and acquire, receive and invoice, catalog, circulate, track and shelve materials. Smaller libraries, such as those in private homes or non-profit organizations (like churches or synagogues, for instance), often forgo the expense and maintenance required to run an ILS, and instead use a library computer system.^{[citation needed]}

History

Librarians often referred to ILSes as library automation systems or automated systems in the 1970s and early 1980s. Before the advent of computers, libraries usually used a card catalog to index their holdings. Computers came into use to automate the card catalog, thus the term automation system. Automation of the catalog saves the labor involved in resorting the card catalog, keeping it up-to-date with respect to the collection, etc. Other tasks automated include checking-out and checking-in books, generating statistics and reports, acquisitions and subscriptions, indexing journal articles and linking to them, as well as tracking interlibrary loans.

Since the late 1980s, windowing systems and multi-tasking have allowed the integration of business functions. Instead of having to open up separate applications, library staff could now use a single application with multiple functional modules.

As the Internet grew, ILS vendors offered more functionality related to computer networks. As of 2009^[update] major ILS systems offer web-based portals where library users can log in to view their account, renew their books, and authenticate themselves for access to online databases.

Examples

Open-source

Proprietary

Ex Libris Group, Aleph
Horizon from former company Dynix, later absorbed by SirsiDynix
LibraryWorld
Millennium, former Innopac, from Innovative Interfaces, Inc.
NOSA
SydneyPLUS International
Talis (UK and Ireland)
Symphony is the current version. Unicorn is a legacy system. from SirsiDynix
Virtua, former VTLS, from VTLS Inc.
Voyager from Endeavor Information Systems Inc.
Example (edit | talk | history | links | watch | logs) MOL, Patron and MOLIK - interface created for children, from MOL Sp.z o.o.
Library•Solution, Library•Solution for Schools, and CARL•X from The Library Corporation

References

^ Adamson, Veronica, et al. (2008). Template:PDFlink. Sheffield, UK: Sero Consulting. p. 51. Retrieved on 21 January 2009. "... a Library Management System (LMS or ILS 'Integrated Library System' in US parlance)."
^ Tennant, Roy (16 April 2008). "Picking When to Jump, Part 2". Library Journal. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 20 January 2009. Across the pond they use the term library management systems (LMS) for what we call the integrated library system (ILS).

External links

Library Technology Guides, a site that includes a directory of companies that produce integrated library systems and a directory of libraries that includes data on the ILS used in each library
A historical chart of major ILS vendors
MARC Records, Systems and Tools : Network Development and MARC Standards Office, Library of Congress
College Center for Library Automation
Higher Education Library Technology,(HELibTech) a wiki supported by SCONUL (Society of College National and University Libraries) that covers many aspects of library technology and lists technologies in use in UK Higher Education
Local Government Library Technology, (LGLibTech) a wiki that covers many aspects of library technology and lists technologies in use in UK public libraries

[1] Adamson, Veronica, et al. (2008). Template:PDFlink. Sheffield, UK: Sero Consulting. p. 51. Retrieved on 21 January 2009. "... a Library Management System (LMS or ILS 'Integrated Library System' in US parlance)."

[2] Tennant, Roy (16 April 2008). "Picking When to Jump, Part 2". Library Journal. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 20 January 2009. Across the pond they use the term library management systems (LMS) for what we call the integrated library system (ILS).

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[2]

@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 * [[Voyager (library program)|Voyager]] from [[Endeavor Information Systems Inc.]]
 * {{pl}} [[:pl:MOL sp. z o.o.|MOL, Patron and MOLIK - interface created for children]], from [http://www.mol.pl MOL Sp.z o.o.]
+* Library•'''Solution''', Library•'''Solution''' ''for Schools'', and CARL•'''X''' from The Library Corporation
 ==See also==