The Introduction of VTLS at SCOLCAP

Around a year ago, it was announced that the National Library of Scotland was to acquire the Virginia Tech Library System, popularly known as VTLS, to run its cataloguing and acquisitions for monographs and for serials and to provide online public access to the catalogue records. Through the offices of SCOLCAP, the system would also be available to SCOLCAP member libraries wishing to use it for online cataloguing (or indeed for other housekeeping activities.) The Virginia Tech Library System is marketed by VTLS Inc of Blacksburg, Virginia. It is a system originally designed for the Newman Library of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, but is now used by over 100 libraries throughout the world. VTLS replaced the online shared cataloguing and acquisitions system which used bespoke software developed by RIVA and running on SCOLCAP's Hewlett Packard 3000 Series 48 minicomputer. Though it reached a certain level of acceptance, this system was never fully implemented and was not seen as a satisfactory vehicle for continuing development.