CSL Library is a calendar-based, integrated circulation and cataloging system that requires a Macintosh SE as minimal equipment. It is available in either a single-user or a multi-user version. With a 20 megabyte hard drive, schools may track up to 30,000 items and up to 4,000 borrowers.
If CSL Library is used in conjunction with the entire Mac School system, student information (student ID number, name, address, telephone number, homeroom and grade) can be ‘downloaded’ from the administrative system to CSL Library; otherwise, this information must be entered via the keyboard.
There is a built-in, multi-level password security system included with CSL Library which ensures data integrity and can allow 'view only' access of the card catalog.
Circulation
CSL Library allows check-in/out of items and can put them on/off ‘hold’. Light pens and bar-codes can be used for circulation, or appropriate identification numbers can be key-boarded in for check-in/out.
Borrowers can be classified as either Staff, Student, Teacher, or Other, and borrowing privileges (items that can be checked in/out or put on hold) for each of these groups can be set from 0 to 50. Circulation options can be set so that the librarian defines the loan period, grace period and fine per day for each group of borrower and each book type. The system also tracks items that are out for repair as well as lost or missing books.
Entering and Editing Information
Entering and editing information regarding items and patrons is simplified using the Macintosh. The librarian has the ability to define not only ‘item type’, but also ‘subject’ as well. General bibliographic information includes:
Title
Author and Co-Author
Publisher and Publisher City
Edition and Date
Statement of Responsibility
Date of Entry
Age Group
Item Type
Dewey, ISBN and LCCN numbers
Location
Pages
Cost and Copy number
Subject and Comment text field
Added Entries (4)
View Options & Search Capability
Viewing options and search/sort capabilities are comprehensive with CSL Library. Borrowers may be viewed by either ID number or by name, and books may be viewed by Title, Author, Subject, Type, Dewey, ID number or Key Search (Boolean search).
Reports
Reporting options are comprehensive and all reports can be printed to either the screen or the printer.
Each item has its own record and can be listed by title, author, subject, number of copies and Dewey number. Borrowing statistics are available by student, teacher, % overdue and by the most ‘checked-out’ books.
Report formats include:
List of Patrons
List of Items
Statistical Summary
Status Report
Overdue Notices
Circulation Report (daily and monthly)
List of Subjects
Catalog cards can also be printed from CSL Library. Cataloging information includes:
Catalog cards (Author, Title, Subject and Shelf List)
Book Labels
Spine Labels
Mailing labels can be generated with CSL Library and using the Report Manager, user-defined, custom reports can also be created.
MARC Records
MARC records can be downloaded into CSL Library. To accomplish this task, the MARC records are stored on CD-ROM which are downloaded into “Bibliofile” - an IBM PC based program. The records are then converted into ASCII format and transferred via floppy disks and Apple File Exchange into CSL Library.
If you would like more information on the Bibliofile program itself, please contact the publisher, Library Corporation, at 800-624-0559.
CSL Library also has the capability of importing many Microlif records into the program using Apple File Exchange.
Future Enhancements
We are anticipating the ability to view catalog cards on the Apple //GS utilizing the network shortly.
