Microcomputer-Based Integrated Systems, Additional Evaluations
Joseph R. Matthews · Library Technology Reports · 1997
Catalog Plus and Circulation Plus Vendor: Follett Software Company 1391 Corporate Drive McHenry, Illinois 60050-8700 (815) 344-8700; fax (815) 344-8774 (800) 323-3397 [email protected] http://www.fsc.follett.com Demo Available: Yes Version: 1.22S Number of Customers: 27,000 Modules/Prices: Circulation Plus, $995; Catalog Plus, $1,695; OPAC (Search Plus for Windows or MacSearch Plus), $495; network fee in addition to module prices (for multi-users with unlimited number of users) $1,400; Circulation Plus for Macintosh, $750; Catalog Plus for Macintosh, $1,125; Mac network fee (for multi-users with unlimited number of users) $1,400. PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS Micro: IBM-PC or compatible Operating System: DOS 5.0+ LANs Supported: NetWare, Windows NT Server, LANtastic 239.50 Compatibility: No FUNCTIONALITY [GRAPH OMITTED] EASE OF USE (for GUI only) [GRAPH OMITTED] FEATURES Follett Software Company develops programs to help the K-12 library marketplace with library circulation and online public access management. It provides circulation (Circulation Plus), cataloging, and an online patron access catalog (Catalog Plus). Modules can be purchased as software only or as a turnkey solution which includes software, hardware, installation, on-site set-up, and ongoing support. Acquisitions and Serials Control modules are not available. Follett's Circulation Plus and Catalog Plus programs are character-based, function key oriented systems that provide a considerable amount of flexibility to the customer library. While Circulation Plus and Catalog Plus are DOS IBM PC-based, libraries may also use a Macintosh or a PC with Windows as an OPAC when linked to a local area network. Windows-based versions of Circulation Plus and Catalog Plus are in development. Online Catalog Search Plus for Windows was used for this review. The initial screen for Search Plus displays a Tool Bar with eight large, labeled icons that allow a user to: search by subject, title, author, series, call number, or keyword; view a list of events; or ask for help. A similar product, Catalog Plus for Macintosh, is available for the Macintosh hardware. Truncation and partial wildcard searching are available. Searching is easy to accomplish using Search Plus. After clicking on the subject icon, the user enters a subject search request, e.g., presidents. The system will display the closest matching subject headings along with the available cross references, if any. Note that these cross references are found in authority control records that the library can maintain. The user makes a selection by highlighting a heading(s) of interest and the system will display a single-line brief record for each of the associated titles, as seen in Figure 1. The initial column of this screen displays an icon which depicts the item's material type, e.g., book, videocassette, etc. Other data elements in this one-line entry include title, author, call number, and status. [Figure 1 ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Should a search request retrieve no matches, the user is not presented with a display at the closest matching point to browse the library's catalog. Rather, a dialog box appears with the message Subject could not be found using the key. Try again. This means that even simple spelling errors can cause a search to fail. Double clicking on a one-line entry will cause the system to display the title (bibliographic) record as seen in Figure 2 [alternatively the user can highlight the record(s) of interest and then click on the Submit button at the bottom of the screen]. The records can be displayed in a brief or full record format, as the user prefers. The call number is displayed in a box resembling a spine label at the top left-hand corner of the screen. The bibliographic data are displayed in a labeled, right-justified manner (labels in all uppercase) while the variable text is presented in upper- and lowercase letters. …