Aardvark the Librarian

Post by Charlie Dean

Blog Thread for the Interface of the Houston Public Library ("HPL")

http://www.houstonlibrary.org/

The Houston Public Library is one of several members to a consortium called Houston Area Library

Automated Network ("HALAN").www.halan.lib.tx.us

This consortium serves the following:

Bellaire CityLibrary http://www.ci.bellaire.tx.us/index.aspx?NID=10

Hebert Public Library http://www.ptn.lib.tx.us/

Houston Public Library http://www.houstonlibrary.org/

Hughes Public Library http://www.ned.lib.tx.us/

Lee College Library http://www.lee.edu/library/

Pasadena Public Library http://www.ci.pasadena.tx.us/library/

Port Arthur Public Library http://www.pap.lib.tx.us/

Sterling Municipal Library http://baytownlibrary.org/

Old Techniques Still Work

Managing webpages and databases takes expertise and time, which means a lot of money. Farmers discovered long ago that cooperatives could save them money and bring expertise to their businesses. I am glad that librarians have followed suit.

Keeping Patrons in Mind

The consortium that the Houston Public Library (HPL) belongs to is“user-centered” in my opinion. Personally I do not see that the new interface is better than the old one. I do believe that a consortium significantly improves the quality of customer service. I do not know how long HPL has used HALAN, but it is hard to imagine most libraries doing this on their own.Keeping Patrons in Mind

The fact that a consortium is involved surely fits the bill for “value & usefulness.” I have no doubt that HALAN has reduced the internal costs and has allowed the library to use the saved funds for other services.

Biggest Bang for the Buck

HALANwww.halan.lib.tx.us can assist with customizing a library’s services so that they are flexible and available anytime and anywhere.

Working together the libraries in the consortium can afford the latest technology which they could not afford alone. This is a good example of “the whole being worth more than the sum of its parts.”

With the consortium the libraries can negotiate site licenses (including all types of software, not just ILS or database subscriptions). And it can improve operating processes, through consultation and sharing of experience with other members. It can also provide group training.

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