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TAFE Queensland libraries
Fujitsu helps TAFE Qld libraries extend resources
A new TAFE library system will link all TAFE Queensland libraries in a single state-wide catalogue, giving students and staff access to the vast combined information resources of 16 TAFE institutes.
Using the latest technology, TAFE will enable cataloguing of traditional resources such as books, as well as new electronic forms of information such as scanned images and interactive multimedia.
Training and Industrial Relations Minister, Santo Santoro said: "This will significantly improve the range, quality and flexibility of library services available to TAFE clients and underpins a number of TAFE Queensland's initiatives designed to enhance learning through technology."
The TAFE library system will be linked to the Internet. This will enable students to search the library resources from their own home or workplace. "The new system will not only provide access to that information, it will enable students to acquire the information skills that are essential in our knowledge-dependent age," commented Minister Santoro.
Fujitsu is the prime contractor and will use New Zealand's Contec Data Systems C2 Library application for the new TAFE library system. The C2 system will be implemented at Queensland's TAFE Institutes, serving 63 sites with Fujitsu installing over 300 PCs and 16 servers.
David Pedler, Project Manager, Library Information Systems Project, TAFE Queensland and Ernie Stewart, Project Manager, Fujitsu Queensland, head up the project team responsible for the implementation. Assisting Mr Pedler is Martyn Brown, TAFE Project Leader, who has been with the project since its inception.
Commenting on what TAFE liked about the Contec C2 Library application, Mr Brown said: "It is a new product at the beginning of its life cycle; it has a GUI interface, multimedia capability, and offers electronically-based resource management as well as managing traditional material like books and magazines. For example, the system can scan a document, include multimedia and catalogue it, as well as catalogue designated Web sites.
"This extends the library services a long way and fits business needs as well. Obviously with a new product there are growing pains but the developers are very open to input from end-users. Already C2 has been implemented in libraries in the US, UK and Europe as well as in most states in Australia." Mr Brown sees the benefits of the new system as being able to provide better service to the libraries' clients. People both within the TAFE system and without will have access to resources which fit the concept of 'a library without walls' and provide a range of access to information. A number of TAFEs are using multiple databases which will now be consolidated into a single database.
"Help for onsite training facilities, for example at a mining site, will be available through Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC). Fujitsu is the total solution provider and will manage the whole implementation. The company is also providing hardware, installation, training and the support desk," said Mr Brown.
Already the hard-working, ten-person project team is performing data conversion at pilot sites at the Brisbane Institute of TAFE and the Yeronga Institute of TAFE.
