Potential of DOBIS/LIBIS and MINISIS for automating library functions: a comparative study

This paper reports the results of a comparative study of the suitability of DOBIS/LIBIS and MINISIS for library applications. Evaluation of the systems against locally developed criteria have indicated great potential for handling all major library functions including Arabisation. The study has shown that DOBIS/LIBIS scored higher in circulation and periodical control, while MINISIS scored higher in cataloguing and OPAC functions. Further, DOBIS/LIBIS' support services and MINISIS' documentation require considerable enhancements. The authors conclude that DOBIS/LIBIS seems to be more suitable for large academic libraries, with access to the mainframe computer and adequate data processing staff. MINISIS in the meantime, may be a better choice for special libraries and information centres interested in SDI, indexing services, etc. which want to use mini or microcomputers.