Content
The UKCS contains over 500 requirements covering the following main functional areas:
Bibliographic database management
OPAC and end user services
Circulation control
Acquisitions
Serials control
Document delivery and inter-library loans
Management information
Optional software, covering requirements for services such as resource discovery (portals), e-resource management and reading lists, are not currently included (these in any case are often sourced independently of the LMS). Requirements relating to inter-operability with local or corporate systems are not included.
Checklist model
The UKCS is a checklist in table form with each requirement being numbered and prefixed as 'R' for core requirement or 'V' for variant requirement (the latter covering the needs of differing market sectors). These requirements are not expected to be changed by libraries using the UKCS, as suppliers will set up standard responses for each requirement. Additional requirements or changes to the standard requirements have to be specified separately.
Libraries can indicate the importance of each requirement. There is also provision for marking requirements as not required (or not applicable) thus allowing for the checklist to be used by a wide variety of libraries.
The final column in the table is for the supplier’s response. The form of response can be defined by the library as either a simple Yes/No response or a code indicating level of compliance. Suppliers can be instructed to provide additional information along with the compliance rating if deemed useful by the library.
Sample pages
Further information
The UKCS is available for a one-off fee which licenses individual organisations to use it. The UKCS will be maintained and new versions issued on a regular basis. Libraries and suppliers are welcome to suggest new requirements to be added to the next version.
For further information, including costs and how to obtain the UKCS, please contact Juliet Leeves at julietleeves@tiscali.co.uk.
Updated: 12 February 2008