Heritage Unify Module

The Unify Module transfers catalogue changes from one Heritage database to another (normally held on a web server). This means that libraries that are otherwise separate can create and maintain a joint Heritage Online.

There are various advantages to this approach. Often institutions may have sites spread around the UK that are not currently linked by a Wide Area Network, so therefore cannot operate a single Heritage catalogue. Implementing an overall WAN infrastructure is prohibitively expensive in many cases, but it is obviously preferable to offer a 'one-stop-shop' approach for users wanting to search across all the resources available.

If Unify is implemented, the individual libraries at each site can purchase and maintain their own copies of Heritage, independently of one another, with different locations, circulation rules, opening times etc. The Unify module then enables them to offer a single (Unified) catalogue for their users to search, normally via the Internet.

Regular updates from each library to the Unified catalogue via Unify mean that users can search for the items they want, and details of the items held at each location will be available to them. The current loan status of each item is not shown, but users can email the library to find out whether the item they require is currently available.

For more details about the Unify module (including prices) please contact Emma Duffield on (01865) 481011 or email .