Library Systems are large business enterprise systems used by libraries to provide efficient researcher access to library collections and support a wide variety of back-end functionality necessary for managing collections and services.
These systems bring together data and functionality to support the vast amount of back-end work relating to acquisitions (e.g., ordering, tracking, receipt, bill payment), cataloging (e.g., item description, classification, and indexing), and collection management (e.g., activities related to caring for the myriad physical and e-resources) as well as front-end, patron-facing services such collection access via a robust discovery platform (formerly known as online catalogs or OPACs), and circulation (e.g., course reserves, book checkouts).
The library system integrates with many additional access tools or systems (e.g., authentication). From a patron perspective, the library system provides access to the library’s collections via an array of search tools in a robust discovery layer that moves beyond traditional OPACs/catalogs to include a variety of resources, including open access, archival, and digital subscription results.
