This was the tenth DUGNZ conference and epixtech donated $5,000 worth of software to mark the event. This generous prize was won by John Arnold, on behalf of the Christchurch College of Education. Liz Major, from the New Zealand epixtech office, created a suitably decorated cake to mark the occasion which was enjoyed by one and all. The cake was cut by Janette Chin (epixtech New Zealand) and Graham Penwell (Lincoln University) both of whom attended the first DUGNZ conference, which was held at Lincoln in 1990. Liz Major, also exercised her poetic skills by providing a poem to mark the occasion which was recited by Janette Chin.
Toula Kritis draws the epixtech software prize with the help of Claire Lewis and Ryllis Adams
Sunrise developments were a major topic of discussion. Toula Kritas (epixtech, Director Operations Asia Pacific) gave participants an update on both Dynix and Horizon software and discussed migration issues. A site visit to the University of Canterbury to look at Horizon implementation was also part of the programme and Anne Scott, Peter Kennedy and Alison Rashbrook provided an informative session for those libraries currently planning a migration to Horizon.
The integration of the Web was another main theme at DUGNZ 2000. Shelley Neville, (epixtech Product Manager, USA) gave a demonstration of the iPAC beta software. This was the first occasion many attendees had seen iPAC and Shelley answered a number of queries about this new software. Glen Davies (Christchurch College of Education) talked about his experiences being on the iPAC JAD team and the benefits that can accrue from being involved in the development of new products.
John Arnold (Christchurch College of Education), Andrew White (Lincoln University) and Graham Penwell talked about how they are adding Web URL links to the catalogue and illustrated this by linking to their respective catalogues and visiting various Web sites. Shelley Neville also gave a demonstration of epixtech’s WebCheck software and discussed how this could help with maintenance issues that arise from incorporating URLs within the catalogue. Clearly, a number of libraries are grappling with issues related to adding Web links to the catalogue.
Margaret Ferguson and Fiona Munro (both from Victoria University of Wellington) facilitated a session on system problems and solutions and Janette Chin led a session on RECALL queries that had us all on the edge of our seats!
Lyndsay Ainsworth (Lincoln University) took us on a journey, via a well illustrated PowerPoint presentation to a number of epixtech libraries she recently visited in the United Kingdom. Lyndsay’s comments provided many interesting comparisons with New Zealand libraries.
This year’s AGM was chaired by Ryllis Adams (Waimakariri District Libraries) and a number of issues including the possible inclusion of Horizon users within the group and the advantages of a more formal DUGNZ committee structure were discussed.
The Conference Dinner, kindly sponsored by epixtech, was held at Trents Estate Winery. Good food in a historic rural setting was enjoyed by one and all.
Over fifty people attended all or part of the conference and it proved to be both informative and convivial. We look forward to meeting again at the next DUGNZ which will be held in Rotorua in September 2001.
Janette Chin and Graham Penwell cutting the cake made by Liz Major to celebate ten years of DUGNZ conferences
The cake
This report was written by Graham Penwell and Claire Lewis, Lincoln University Library
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