Art.1: Radosawa Maniecka-Dziubecka
ALEPH Library System

ALEPH is a modern, integrated system operating in 40 countries (in over 400 libraries and many other institutions worldwide) and designed mainly for use in big libraries, information centers, archives and museums. The article presents the system , first by showing its main features such as: managing complex library networks, user-friendly client-server architecture, all features completely polonized, adaptability to individual needs of different types of institutions, full data integration. The main subsystems (modules) are described. They are: cataloging, searching the online catalog, vocabulary checking and thesauruses, holdings control, acquisition, circulation, and managing the acquisition and checkin of serial publications. Some technical data, a list of the ALEPH library catalogs on websites, and the architecture of the system are presented as well.

Art.2: Damian Klesta, Izydor Statkiewicz
APIN Computer Integrated Library System

The first versions of this system were implemented at the beginning of the 1970s and it has been constantly developed since then by a team of IT specialists working in the APIN department of the Main Library and the Center of Scientific and Technical Information of Wrocław University of Technology. The system works in a university that has about 25 thousand students and nearly 4 thousand members of staff. Some technical details of the system are given in this article, as well as its functions, subsystems, adaptability and other characteristics, further development plans, its merits and advantages.

Art.3: Elzbieta Wozniak
PROLIB - A Comprehensive Library Management System

PROLIB is an integrated, professional software that makes it possible to automate various library procedures, such as: acquisition, cataloging, searching, circulation, managing check-out and check-in functions, as well as users and collections. The library's own catalogs are made available on the Internet. The system has been implemented in over 500 libraries. It is very flexible and user-friendly. Different modules of the PROLIB system are described in this article. They are: acquisition, cataloging, circulation, OPAC, as well as patent, standard, old books, inventory, management and bibliography modules. There is a software available for the maintenance of the National Library databases. Hardware requirements are described, and some development plans as well. The ASPEN (Application Service Provider Enablement) program is finally outlined.

Art.4: Leszek Masadynski
SOWA Library System

SOWA integrated library system makes it possible to automate such functions as: acquisition and cataloging of various library materials, searching and managing information on collections (via local network and on the Internet), the barcode system, circulation (lending, booking and requesting). This system has been implemented in over 500 libraries in Poland.