Swiss network and library systems choose VTLS.(Conference of the Universities of Western Switzerland)

The Conference of the Universities of Western Switzerland (CUSO) has awarded VTLS Inc. the contract to migrate RERO, the current union catalog of its libraries, to the VTLS system. The current catalog comprises 2 million bibliographic records and serves libraries in Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchatel, Ticino, and Valais. In addition two district library systems not previously automated, Valais and Ticino, have also signed contracts for the installation of VTLS to serve local functions.

Supported for 20 years by the custom-designed system SIBIL, RERO will be migrated to VTLS over a two-year period. Local functions, which are also to be moved to VTLS, are currently supported by a variety of systems, including DataTrek, Dobis/Libis, GEAC, and local versions of SIBIL.

"The decision to migrate was imposed on us by economic reasons," said Bernard C. Levrat, vice-rector at the University of Geneva. "We decided to test VTLS because the Swiss National Library had chosen it. Our migration process from a sophisticated non-USMARC proprietary system raises a number of difficulties, but we are confident that ... our users will be fully satisfied."

Currently, a test VTLS database is installed at the University of Gejieva where solutions are being sought to the many complicated problems posed by converting customized records to USMARC. Librarians there are also familiarizing themselves with the use of VTLS via the Internet. The VTLS system is running on an IBM RS/6000 Model 250 computer and is connected to a wide area network supporting 3000 terminals. More than 100 PCs are reserved for patrons to access the online catalogs. The University of Geneva, founded in 1559 by Jean Callin, has 13,000 students.

The five universities that constitute the Conference of Universities of Western Switzerland have a combined total of 4000 instructors and approximately 35,000 students. RERO, the "Reseau Romand," currently supports their combined 100 libraries, which serve a public of 100,000 people and boast a total annual circulation of 700,000. Accessible via the Internet, RERO is the largest online library catalog in French, representing 3 million books and periodicals.

At present, RERO is linked to some 600 dedicated terminals, while many more users can access the OPAC via the Internet. Ultimately, any workstation should be able to access the library system.

VTLS Inc. is an international software company with headquarters offices in Blacksburg, Virginia, and branch offices in Heisinki and Barcelona. The company specializes in library automation and information management and provides an integrated solution to all aspects of library operations for more than 300 users worldwide.