Vol. 16, No. 8 - A Publication For Faculty, Staff and Friends of Wichita State University - December 2, 1999 

[Inside]

By Joe Kleinsasser

The future is now for Wichita State’s Ablah Library. A new state-of-the-art library information system called Voyager is nearly ready for use.

Voyager will ultimately replace the LUIS system currently used at WSU. It’s expected to be unveiled by the beginning of the spring semester.

During December, the library will run dual online catalogs, displaying both LUIS and Voyager. This will introduce the new catalog while keeping the familiar catalog available during the hectic time for students at the end of the fall semester, according to Ruth Jackson, dean of university libraries.

Jackson predicts students and faculty will "love" the new system because of its user empowerment features and enhanced search capabilities.

She says that with Voyager, library users will be able to see their current circulation records from any computer with Web access. The same holds true for placing a hold on library materials checked out. Both print and digital reserves can be located from one search rather than through the two separate systems presently needed. The new system has the capability of handling any type of multimedia available today.

Search results can be marked and saved for printing, e-mailing directly to the user’s personal computer or downloading to disk.

A team of library and computing center personnel has overseen the installation and transfer from the LUIS system.

Jackson says the fact that KU, KSU, Fort Hays State and KU Medical Center also have purchased the system adds to its interoperability. "It gives us the capability to talk to and network with other regents’ university libraries."

"In view of the increasing complexity of the information environment locally, nationally and internationally, consortia planning on a statewide basis will become a standard for information access," says Jackson. "The Voyager system is currently installed in more than 600 academic and research libraries, including the Library of Congress."

Just in case you’re wondering, the new system is fully Y2K compliant.

The new system was funded from one-time technology funds, about $319,000, through the Board of Regents.

[Inside]