EnTRy 7 : Discuss on the needs of evaluating a library software before you decide to purchase it for your library - what do you look for when you do the evaluation?

Software selection is not an easy task but selections should always be reflective and become a major part to make sure that the software selected for using in the library are in good condition. From the selection is to make sure that it’s will achieve the library mission which to provide good service for the patrons and users. Library management software used to manage everything from home libraries to small, large and huge public libraries. 

If I become head of the selection library system, various criteria that I will describe and evaluate to make sure that all the software selected are can achieved the library mission, the evaluation commonly covered based on

                   1. How it matches the library’s requirements.

   o   All the system selected need to meet the library requirement or service   that library provide because the system intently is to help and to reduce the time for operation
2. Product Quality

   o   The system need to have a good quality to make sure that the library  also achieved their standard required
3.  Cost

   o   Cost are the major issues in the selection because for the library side, we need to make sure that the budget are enough to buy the software and the others thing is also need to consider a cost include after purchase like the damage happen, staff training and other
4. Function

   o   The functions of the software also need to consider because if I buy the same function that library already have, it will make library lost for their budget. Also I need to make sure that the function provided are can totally been used in the library.
5.  Staff Training and Support Service

   o   I also need to consider the support service availability that the library software have because it will make the crucial time like the error happen can be solve in the fastest time. Also the staff training that the vendor of the library system provide for my staff

Other thing that I need to consider is about:

•   Is easy to use (not necessarily easy to learn)
• Offers constructive feedback (both positive and negative)
•  Enhances content through electronic presentation (very important)
• Provides instructions or on-screen help that is clear and useful
• Provides a tangible product

And in the same time need to avoid software that,

• Has large amounts of text on the screen
• Does not allow the user to control sound levels, timing, or other intrusive features
•  Presents content in a violent, racist, sexist, or condescending fashion
• Does not significantly add to a user’s knowledge base in a meaningful way
• Is little more than an automated workbook (after all, workbooks are much cheaper and easier to maintain)
• Repeats exaggerated or lengthy graphics displays that have little to do with the advertised content