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New version of our online catalog, Barton, coming July 9!

The Libraries are implementing a new online catalog which will replace both the Telnet and the Web versions of the current Barton by July 9.

News

Last fall the MIT Libraries chose the new integrated library system to replace the current Barton: the successful vendor is Ex Libris, which has a system called ALEPH 500. The timeline for the implementation of the new system is on schedule. Technical implementation (including staff training, testing of data, and testing of how user friendly our current Barton is) has begun and will continue through June 2001.

In July 2001 the MIT Libraries will be moving to a new web Barton catalog that will be replacing both telnet Barton and web Barton. This is the culmination of a two and a half year project to choose and implement a new library management system.

The MIT Libraries staff have been working hard to design an intuitive and powerful catalog for the MIT community. Searching will be easier and more focused. For example, you will be able to search just within conference proceedings, technical reports, theses, or journals. There will also be increased functionality such as the ability to place holds, renew items, and modify your searching profile. We will be offering training sessions in July and throughout the summer and fall.

We hope that you will be happy with the new catalog. We will be continuing to improve and update Barton throughout the summer and early fall. For news on the status of this project, please check back on this page or contact Sarah Shreeves, Project Manager of the Third Barton Transition, at sls@mit.edu or 617-253-4979.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Why is telnet access to Barton going away?

Unfortunately Ex Libris doesn't provide a telnet version of their catalog. However, the MIT Libraries plan to have a catalog implemented by September that users can access through Lynx, a text only browser, that looks and feels similar to the telnet Barton sessions we use now. This won't be available until September and during the summer only the web catalog will be available. We regret any inconvenience to our users.

Why does it take so long to replace an online library catalog?

Replacing the interface and the search mechanisms of a catalog is a fairly complex process. An online catalog is used for more than just giving patrons access to the books and journals in our collection. It's also used for many behind-the-scenes technical processing functions as well, such as cataloging and acquisitions.

Libraries generally buy an online system from an outside vendor which specializes in this very complex kind of database software. That takes some time, of course, because we need to look at the offerings of more than one vendor, and then use various methods to evaluate them and make a final decision.

By the way, why is the catalog called "Barton" anyway?

It's named after William Barton Rogers, the founder of MIT.