Mark Friedman of the Mariners' Museum wrote:
 
>Is there any museum/library out there within 2-4 months of installing their
>first Collection Management System?  I have a few questions to ask about
>their final selection criteria, and few questions about their planned
>implementation.
 
I'm from Merrill Library at Utah State University.  We are presently
working on RFP (Request for Proposal) specs for our *third* automated
system.
 
Our first system worked well, pleased us, and included great technical
support...then became too expensive.  We went through an extensive RFP
and site visit process to select our second automation system.  THIS
IS WHAT WE LEARNED:
 
When interviewing or visiting other sites who have the system you are
considering already in place, you MUST consult with sites for whom the
system is NOT their first.
 
*EVERYONE* raves about their FIRST automation system.  By the time they
acquire and subsequently live with their second, they are educated
consumers and can much more accurately assess the pros and cons of both.
 
Good luck!   Jan
 
                             Dr. Jan Anderson
                             Utah State University
                             (801) 797-2672
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