McHenry, IL -- October 1, 1997 -- Follett Software Company has released the beta version of its widely-used automation software, Circulation Plus and Catalog Plus for Windows v3.00. This is the company's first release of these products on the Windows operating system. Beta testing will continue through December, preceding the nearing general release of the new Windows products in January.

"We're excited to begin sharing our new Windows products with our customers," commented Mark Sheft, Follett Software Company Product Manager. "They offer many sought-after features that aren't available in other Windows products out on the market—they support the 856 electronic MARC (MAchine Readable Cataloging) tag, giving patrons access to relevant materials on the Internet and Intranet; their hyperlinking capabilities help patrons search more quickly without having to reenter search terms; an easy-to-use MARC Editor features Follett's on-line MARC Bibliographic Format Guide to assist with cataloging; and a simplified Circulation Desk provides one-stop access to all of the circulation functions—for fast checkin, checkout, holds, fine calculations, and lots more."

Other features available in Follett Software's new Windows products include:

• Ability to multitask Follett application modules in a networked environment (e.g., having the MARC Editor and Circulation Desk open simultaneously)
• Indexed help screens that provide quick access to explanations
• MARC Editor that offers valid selection for tags, subfields, and indicators
• Reports consolidated into one module for easy access
• Support of eight-character holdings codes
• Support of USMARC Format Integration standards
• Ability to print a list of a patron's items directly from the Circulation Desk

The Windows products also offer many of the same capabilities of Follett Software's DOS products, such as inventory, printing overdue notices and bibliographies, SEE and SEE ALSO cross references, and easy editing and exporting of MARC bibliographic and patron records.

"All of our Windows features, combined with the Graphical User Interface (GUI), will bring our customers enhanced usability," noted Sheft. "The improved interface and Windows point-and-click design make this new software simple for library media specialists or patrons to use."

Johnsburg High School in McHenry, Illinois, is one of the Beta test sites which is already using the Windows products. Kathy Kucik, the school's librarian, commented on the products, "The new interface is extremely user-friendly. The research process is so much faster now."

Follett Software's new applications are client/server 32-bit applications designed for Windows 95 and Windows NT. They also have native Windows 95 compatibility for improved performance.

Follett Software Company is a developer and publisher of microcomputer library automation and curriculum-related software products and services. Its Circulation Plus software, with more than 27,000 installations worldwide, is the number one selling library automation system in the K-12 marketplace. Follett Software Company is a division of Follett Corporation, and is headquartered in McHenry, IL. For additional information call (800) 323-3397 or visit Follett Software Company on the World Wide Web at www.fsc.follett.com.