I could have chosen our integrated library system, Library.Solutions to evaluate or review but I decided to feature the LIBRO System by Mr. Romeo Sebastian. To be candid, I am not ‘yet’ well-versed on the ILS used neither in the Rizal Library nor with LIBRO. My sister is in-charge of the resource center of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances, a non-governmental organization at the Philippine Social Science Center. Her collection is relatively small and she decided to use the LIBRO System. I have to establish that this review is based on her experience with the use of the system.
To point out some advantages:
• The system is inexpensive. The amount to be paid covers the training of the librarian and not the system itself.
• Generally, it is user-friendly.
• One of the most notable aspects is that, the system was developed by a librarian, thus, the utilities included are essentially what a librarian needs.
• As any integrated library system should be, it is comprised of several modules and is capable of shifting from one database to another easily. The system requirement for it to operate is also minimal and does not call for a server to be maintained.
• Data input, record retrieval and report generation are also convenient.
• The interface for the OPAC is simple and user-friendly. This is important because this is on the frontline of the system (in the perspective of the service community).
• The LIBRO System OPAC can also be launched in the Web.
Some concerns on the system:
• There is no provision to check if a certain record is already a duplicate.
• There is a question on what will be the case when there are more than one person doing bibliographic entry/encoding. How will the master file number (MFN) be reconciled?
• With regard to the Web OPAC, the only limitation observed was, the ASP language is not widely used. As a result, there was a difficulty finding a host for the OPAC.
One look at this review would pose that the system has far more strong points than its limitations. A highlighted comment on this system is its developer. My sister mentioned that Mr. Sebastian is such a receptive person and very much willing to share what he knows to pursue his noble advocacy for the Library Science profession.
Hats off, strive on! =)
Hi! this entry is very informative.
can you help me how to launch Libro system Luna edition’s OPAC to the web? Is this possible? I am currently working in a library and we plan to launch our OPAC.
tnx.
ammm.. is it possible to download this kind of software in the net? or can we download another kind of software for our library
Hi Mark
You cannot download this software from the Web. You may get in touch with the developer, he is the current library director of Miriam College, Quezon City. I know of a free ILS also developed by a Filipino librarian. This is downloadable from the Web and you need only to register at http://infolib.alaehweb.com/. Or you may contact Mr. Gerry Laroza (glaroza@ateneo.edu), systems administrator/librarian at the Computer and Audiovisual Services, Rizal Library, Ateneo de Manila University.
I hope this helps.
Thank you,
Tina
“Never underestimate the importance of a librarian.” – Elsevier