What is Libol?

Libol (LIBrary OnLine) is a library automation and digital library management software solution. This product was developed since 1997 and is one of the most deployed by Vietnamese library community. Its key features include:

Key features

• Fully web-based application
• Compliant with MARC 21, AACR-2 and ISBD bibliographic standards; supports DDC, BBK, NLM, LOC, UDC classification as well as LOC subject headings; supports ISO 2709 format for data exchange;
• Suports Z39.50 and OAI-PMH protocols for data sharing and retrieval with other online libraries over Internet;
• Supports ISO 10161 standard and BER/MIME encoding scheme for inter-library loan
• Integrates with barcode, magnetic tape and RFID; support 3M SIP 2 protocol for interconnect with self-checkout station;
• Fully Unicode compliant; supports old Vietnamese codepages like TCVN 5712, VNI for backward compatibility
• Provides tools for library to author and manage their digital collections and enables its patrons to explore them.
• Publishes CDROM-based special bibliographies and database;
• Allows full-text search on digital contents;
• Highly customizable ablity for work-flows, circulation policies, database structure, report formats and system configuration;
• Provides sophisticated and universal user rights control;
• Provides various pre-defined statistics and reports for different user groups;
• Supports MS SQL Server and Oracle RDBMS with the capability to handle library with multi-million titles and holdings.
• Provides public accessibility via web, email, WAP and special OPAC designed for visual impaired patrons.
• Compatible with both open and close access model;
• Supports muti-location libraries

Modules and functionality:

• OPAC (Open Public Access Catalog): A public portal for patrons to personalize their accessibility to library holdings as well as library services. This is also a place where they can interact with each others, with staffs and with other libraries.
• Acquisition: Facilitate a seamless and complete business flow of library acquisition process starts from desiderata input, purchase order management, shipment handle, copy labeling, shelving until the books are ready for circulation. 
• Cataloging: A powerful, customizable and user friendly tool for cataloging bibliographic, authority and classification records in MARC 21 standards. This module also enables cataloguers to build, format and publish bibliographies and catalog cards.
• Serial control: Optimize and automate the processes of handling periodical materials (eg  newspapers and journals) including acquisition, issue registration, receipt, binding and claims.
• Patron: Update patron information. Define and apply circulation policies for different patron groups. Enabling bulk processes such as patron card expiration or renewal.
• Circulation: Facilitate and fasten the check-in and check-out processes with barcode/RFID input, automatic patron and copy verification, overdue fine calculation and receipt printing. Generate statistics and reports on loans and loan history.
• Digital collection: Manage library digital collections (books and documents, images, audiovisuals, cartographic files, etc). Define and apply accessibility policies for both free and paid contents.
• Inter-library loan (ILL): Full cycle processing of ILL requests in both roles of lending library or borrowing library. Integrates with OPAC and Circulation modules to streamline the interaction between patrons and library staff on their ILL requests.
• Administration: User management and user rights control integrated with LDAP or Microsoft Active Directory. Drill-down and searchable system log. Web-based system configuration. User interface in multiple languages.

Product advantages:

• Compliant with international and Vietnamese bibliographic standards and best practices.
• Web-based application
• Proof by years of operation in the leading libraries in Vietnam including Nacesti; General Science Library of Ho Chi Minh City; Library and Information Center, VNU Hanoi and nearly 100 other libraries.

Awards:

• Sao Khuê Prize by Vietnam Software Association (VINASA) in 2005, 2007 and 2010.
• Golden Cup by Vietnam Association of Information Processing (VAIP) for IT best products, "Packaged software – Commercial software" category in 2002 and 2007.
• Quality Award by Ministry of Post and Telecommunication for top 10 software and content companies in 2005.

Certificate of Merit by Minister of the Ministry of Information and Communication for excellent industrial specialized software solutions in 2006