Experience of systems migration at the University of Botswana Library: a case study

Purpose – To share experiences of the University of Botswana Library (UBL) in migrating from the TINLIB to Innopac library automation systems.Design/methodology/approach – Discusses various steps involved in system migration at UBL. Provides a historical background of UBL, the reasons for migration, selection of the system and implementation. Details training on the new system, with emphasis on cataloguing and acquisitions.Findings – Emphasises the need to prepare ahead and plan well before the implementation of the system. Indicates data conversion steps used for both TINLIB and CDS/ISIS data and various problems encountered in translating non‐MARC data into USMARC.Research limitations/implications – The emphasis is on Technical Services leaving out circulation and periodicals modules.Practical implications – Provides a case study for libraries to consider during the library automated system migration and training.Originality/value – The paper is a case study of the UBL system migration, intended to help...