Last Saturday the School Library Association of Victoria conducted its first member discussion via Google Hangouts.  While trialing it for some time, this was the first event involving members who had registered an expression of interest in being involved.  It was a great success and will be a valuable platform for future member discussions.

The topic on Saturday was Library Management Systems (LMS).   It was not a vendor event but rather a demonstration of the system from the user’s point of view.  Members who are actually using the systems demonstrated them to Hangout participants and discussed their use and value to them.   The discussion had the valuable support of Renate Beilhartz, Library Studies teacher from Box Hill Institute.  Renate would be familiar to many through her presentation of RDA courses on behalf of SLAV.

Library Management Systems discussed were:

• OCLC Worldshare by Camilla Elliott (Mazenod College)
• Destiny  by Miffy Farquarson (Mentone Grammar)
• Infiniti by Pam Saunders (Melbourne High School)

SLAV will hold fortnightly Hangouts with more indepth discussions on a full range of  LMS options during Term 3, commencing Thursday, 24 July – 4.00 pm.  Every library has its own needs.  This is an opportunity for you to be informed by colleagues who are satisfied users of their LMS and are happy to discuss it with SLAV members.  Full details on how to register your interest in being involved will be available on the the SLAV website.