IMPLEMENTING HOSPITAL LIBRARY-AUTOMATION - THE GAIN PROJECT

The GaIN (Georgia Interactive Network for Medical Information) Hospita l Libraries' Local Automation Project was a one-year, grant-funded ini tiative to implement an integrated library system in three Georgia hos pitals. The purpose of the project was to install the library systems, describe the steps in hospital library automation, and identify issue s and barriers related to automation in small libraries. The participa ting hospitals included a small, a medium, and a large institution. Th e steps and time required for project implementation were documented i n order to develop a decision checklist. Although library automation p roved a desirable approach for improving collection accessibility, sim plifying daily routines, and improving the library's image in the hosp ital, planners must be sure to consider equipment as well as software support, staffing for the conversion, and training of the library staf f and end users.