I don't think anyone here has even a clue how huge and complex library software is -- nor how much money it costs, and the nightmares there are in maintaining it.
We tried to create a GNU software system for libraries sometime ago, never got off the ground. There were quite a few volunteers, all who seemed to think this was just a simple database project, but when they took a look at what libraries actually are using and what it would take to create a whole new state of the art object oriented library system -- they all went away.
Go to the SIRSI page www.sirsi.com or the Innovative Interfaces homepage if you want to see companies that have the best commercial stuff out there.
And, BTW, up until now libraries didn't keep records of what you checked out -- the default setting in the software is to erase the record as soon as the book was checked back in. This was done precisely because the police and feebs had in the past tried to get that info. Librarians are not happy to be in this position, believe me.
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I don't think anyone here has even a clue how huge and complex library software is -- nor how much money it costs, and the nightmares there are in maintaining it. We tried to create a GNU software system for libraries sometime ago, never got off the ground. There were quite a few volunteers, all who seemed to think this was just a simple database project, but when they took a look at what libraries actually are using and what it would take to create a whole new state of the art object oriented library system -- they all went away. Go to the SIRSI page www.sirsi.com or the Innovative Interfaces homepage if you want to see companies that have the best commercial stuff out there. And, BTW, up until now libraries didn't keep records of what you checked out -- the default setting in the software is to erase the record as soon as the book was checked back in. This was done precisely because the police and feebs had in the past tried to get that info. Librarians are not happy to be in this position, believe me.