Increasing demands for electronic access to information has seen the APA Library get the most up-to-date system available TO KEEP pace with the rapid developments of information technology, and to meet the growing demand by users for electronic access to information resources, the Academy Library has acquired the Innopac Integrated Library System (ILS).
It is designed by Innovative Interfaces Inc of the United States and will replace the old IBM Book System. The automation system migration project began last March and was completed in December 1994. The new system, nicknamed BRAVO, is up and running, side by side with IBM/Book system for the next six months, till it is fully implemented and settled in. By June, the old system will be phased out.
BRAVO is a modern 'open system' utilising UNIX platform which has outstanding networking capabilities with other computers. The system is fully integrated with several modules such as Bibliographic database and authority control, Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC), circulation, acquisitions and serials control.
The Database is built and maintained by both down-loading records from bibliographic utilities and by keying in through the terminals.
The BRAVO system is organised in a hierarchy of menus. The main menu leads to other menus, which in turn provides access to the complete range of functions available through BRAVO. It supports ALA as well as Chinese - Japanese - Korean (CJK) and Thai character sets. With the installation of Eten (Big 5) and CCCII (CJk) software, users can change the language of the menus from English to Chinese and vice versa.
The Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) is set up in bilingual (English and Chinese) and is easy to use. Access to library holdings is provided through PCs inside the Academy Library or office/home with dial access capabilities.