Public library gears up for systems upgrade By MARIAN A. MARAYA

The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library is close to sealing a contract with an Australian-based software company for a complete overhaul of the resource center’s main library automation system.

According to acting Director Susan L. Taylor Becton, the public library administration and the Atty. General’s Office is currently working out last-minute negotiations with contractor Epixtech. The parties are expected to finalize the deal that would upgrade the library’s current Dynex system into a Horizon system.

The proposed systems enhancement is projected to enable the library organize in full detail statistical data of all its resources and more importantly, keep track of unreturned or missing items.

“We cannot do inventory with the current system. In libraries usually, every 10 years, you would want to do inventory to see what’s lost and what’s been missing for so long,” said Ms. Becton.

“So upgrading our system is a good step for the library,” she added.

The public library last conducted an inventory in 1996, during which it was able to discover over $20,000 worth of books missing.

The new system is also anticipated to put the library’s catalogue online, accessible to individuals connected to the Internet.

“Eventually it will enable us to hook up with the Northern Marianas College,” said Ms. Becton.

Phase two and three of the systems upgrade project are envisioned to connect the library to the islands of Tinian and Rota.

The advanced system is also expected to feature a statistics component with printer.
The printer will outline all borrowed and returned items by library users for the library staff’s and the patrons’ reference.

Meanwhile, CNMI continues to maximize the use of its lone public resource center as library attendants record mounting library patrons on a daily basis.

But the past month, according to administrative assistant Jennifer D. Rospel, could very well be the lowest figures for the year at 6,845 due to the off-school season.

Ms. Rospel said the highest number of patrons was recorded in the month of April where daily visitors averaged some 743. The total number of patrons for that month reached 17,000, similar to the month of May in 1999.

“It really depends on the season. When it’s testing time, students usually flock to the library,” she said.

Ms. Rospel added that students especially from the nearby Marianas High School continue to rank highest in the breakdown of its library patrons.