LANCASHIRE GOES FOR GEAC IN A BIG WAY

With a rapid increase in the number of County Library authorities installing new online integrated systems or upgrading older networks, it is neither possible nor desirable for VINE to cover in print all the developments, (though we do try to keep details for the information files and reports such as that by Juliet Leeves in VINE 52 are a good guide to trends). However, selective developments do make their way into VINE for a variety of reasons: first site of a new system, unusual application of standard software, typical example of a widespread problem or trend, or, as in the case with Lancashire County, a development unusual, in the first instance, in the scale of the system proposed. In mid 1984, Lancashire County signed a contract with Geac Computers Ltd for the supply of an online integrated system which would extend to 29 branches and Library HQ. According to Lancashire, this will make it, to date, the largest UK Geac user in volume of data, in number of transactions, and in extent of network.