London On-line Local Authorities
Below are a representative selection of key documents from across the various categories. For a list of all the documents see the Catalogue page.
The first link button is to either the original or to a scan of the original document and the second to a reproduction version*, all in PDF format. They open in a new tab, but always the same tab.
* reproduction versions have been recreated in Word, from OCRs of the originals, typos corrected and the layout mirrored as per the original.
| Document | Category | Pub. Date | Links | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your Computer [LEO] - 3pp Author: LBMSU Source: Martin Jackson A layman's guide to the new LEO computer installed at Southgate Road, Hackney. Describes Programs, Files, Data, Printed Results, Documentation. Undated but the LEO Computer Society says a LEO III/94 computer (but not a 360 model as stated in the arti..... | LEO | estimated | 1967 |  Scan | Repro |
| Transition from LEO to LOLA's IBM - 1pp Author: Ray Smith, former LBJCC, LBMSU & LOLA Programmer. Source: Ray Smtih (Word Doc) A short article written recalling a hair-raising event of March 1972 when converting the LEO Rates data to a format readable by the IBM computer. Ray Smith was at LOLA from 1970-78 and previously at LBJCC from 1966 and then LBMSU from 1968). | LEO | 2021-04 | | ||
| London Borough of Haringey Long Term Computer Study - A First Report - 9pp Author: H J Dive, Director, LBMSU Source: Martin Jackson This report was produced for the London Borough of Haringey in order to make more widely available a concise statement of the origins and aims of its long-term computer study which it commissioned from the LBMSU | Initial Study | 1968-06 | Scan | Repro | |
| Request for Quotation for North East London Computer Scheme - 16pp Author: H J Dive, Director, LBMSU Source: Martin Jackson This is the tender document requesting quotations for hardware and software to realise the ambitious requirements set out in the above Report on the Initial Study. The document was issued for the existing North-East London Computer Scheme as it was t..... | Initial Study | 1969-03-27 | Scan | Repro | |
| Report on the Initial Study, Long Term Computer Project for the London Borough of Haringey [The Yellow Report] - Sections A-J [3 copies] [for Appendices see Asset No. 1070] - 66pp Author: H. J. Dive, Director, LBMSU Source: Alan Cooper x1 and Martin Jackson x2 This was Haringey's comprehensive strategic study into it's future computing requirements covering nearly all aspects of the council's operations. This report was made available widely to entice other London Boroughs to join the venture. Note: Scann..... | Initial Study | 1969 | Scan | Repro | |
| Rating System - System Outline [Screen Designs] - 14pp Author: unknown Source: Martin Jackson 13 screen layouts with notes. Covers: 1. Name and address search, 2. Ratepayer detail panel, 3. Payment detail panel, 4. Ratepayer recovery panel, 5. Property detail panel, 6. Property Account Summary, 7. Property Transaction panel, 8.Create or amend..... | Applications | probably circa | 1972 | Scan | |
| Report from the Working Party on Accountancy and Budgetary Control to the Chief Officer's Steering Panel [x2 copies] - 124pp Author: Working Party Source: Martin Jackson Report summarises the work of Working Party into the requirements of a Accountancy and Budgetary Control System. The system needed to link to the central people, property and resource data developed as the core foundation for LOLA. The system needed ..... | Applications | 1970-12 | Scan | ||
| X12 Initial Design [Property Transaction Program Flowchart] - 1pp Author: unknown Source: Martin Jackson Handwritten high level initial design flowchart for transaction program X12 showing inputs, sub-modules, flows and outputs. Flowchart illustrates the LOLA design of multi-step transactions (5 for X12) with the need to not update the databases until t..... | Applications | probably circa | 1972 | Scan | Repro |
| H51 Debit Raising - Data Flow Diagrams [Housing] - 13pp Author: unknown Source: Martin Jackson Mix handwritten Data Flow diagrams and typed text for the Housing program H51 [Amend maximum rents]. Diagrams cover levels 1 to 3 with level 3 covering Former Account Processing, Current Account Processing, Let Account Processing. Also Payment Histor..... | Applications | 1983-03 | Scan | ||
| Rates System 1972 - 3pp Author: Alan Cooper, former LOLA Database Administrator. Source: Alan Cooper (Word Doc) Application Notes about the particular system. | Applications | 2021-06-02 | | ||
| Application Reference Card (G) [Overview] - 12pp Author: LOLA Source: Martin Jackson One of a series of fan-folded cards produced as an aide-memoir for users. This card list 15 systems with their batch and on-line facilities, interfaces, development direction, customer base and key statistics. | Users | 1988 | 1989 | Scan | |
| Application Reference Card (D) Housing - 13pp Author: LOLA Source: Martin Jackson One of a series of fan-folded cards produced as an aide-memoir for users. This card is for the Housing system. It lists the main components of the Housing system, commonly used terms, weekly, ad-hoc batch runs, and on-line programs. There are 8 pages..... | Users | 1988 | 1989 | Scan | |
| Application Reference Card (D) Rates - n/kpp Author: LOLA Source: The 6th card covering Rates was known to have existed but is currently missing. Note: Dummy card created for the website. | Users | 1988 | 1989 | Scan | |
| System Development Division Handbook, - 38pp Author: LOLA Source: Martin Jackson Contains organisational chart for LOLA and Systems Development Division, roles of the Applications Co-ordinators, Work Control System, Administration processes (e.g. time keeping), Operations (tape usage and security). | Admin | Mar 1987 & | 1987-02 | Scan | |
| Staff Instructions [for new staff] [LBMSU Memorandum] - 6pp Author: Administrative Officer, LBMSU Source: Martin Jackson A document explaining the LBMSU Background, Joining Instructions, Gradings, Hours of Work, Leave, Allowances, Housing and Car Loans, Removal Expenses, Private Telephone Calls, National & Local Government Association, and other administrative faciliti..... | Staff | 1970-02 | Scan | Repro | |
| LOLA Job Advertisement for Systems Staff x3 - 1pp Author: LBMSU Source: Online x1 [DT],Martin Jackson (x3) & Internet Archive x3 4 job adverts (3 originals inc. 1 damaged, and 1 Daily Telegraph recreated) seeking programmers and analysts at various levels from junior to principal. Whilst skills requirements are not stated, 3 adverts refer to the use of MFT-II, IMS and PL/1. On..... | Staff | 1970 and | 1971 | Scan | |
| Trainee Computer Programmers [Job Advert] - 1pp Author: LOLA Source: Martin Jackson A handwritten draft advertisement to recruit 'A' level and graduate trainee programmers x4. Makes reference to IBM 370/158 mainframe that LOLA acquired in August 1973. This was subsequently replaced in 1984-85. | Staff | late 1970s to early 1980s | 1980 | Scan | |
| Information Bulletin, Vol. 21 No. 1 - 34pp Author: various Source: Martin Jackson This Information Bulletin 1st article looks back to LOLA's creation 21 years ago. Other articles include linking Tower Hamlets AS/400 mini computer to LOLA's mainframe, on Elsie (the new Land Charges system), LOLA's applications running under CICS, m..... | Staff | 1992-04 | Scan | ||
| Retirement Letters from Derek Schartau to all LOLA Staff + DS's key career dates - 2pp Author: Derek Schartau, Director of Computer Services, LOLA Source: Derek Schartau's executor (scan) & LOLA News 86 & 87. Retirement letter from Derek Schartau to all LOLA Staff 12 June 1985; DS's key career dates from LOLA News No. 85 June 1985; Post retirement letter from Derek Schartau to all LOLA Staff from LOLA News No. 86 December 1985. | Staff | 1985-06-12 | Scan | Repro | |
| LOLA Personal Computing Vol. 1, No. 1 [Newsletter] - 30pp Author: Personal Computing Group, LOLA Source: Keith Callaghan (scan) First edition of the Personal Computer newsletter. It's aims were to inform users of new developments in personal computing, including microcomputers, and to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and experience between users. Contents: 1. Brief ..... | Micro Computing | 1981-09 | Scan | ||
| LOLA Personal Computing Service (overview) - 8pp Author: Personal Computing Support Group, LOLA Source: Keith Callaghan (scan) Describes the Personal Computing Service support to end users, the budget for 1983/84, and how most end users could avoid programming directly in APL by using 'A Departmental Reporting System' (ADRS2) or 'APL Data Interface' (ADI). | Micro Computing | c | 1983 | Scan | Repro |
| The Evolution of LOLA's Information Centre - 35pp Author: Keith Callaghan, Personal Computing Group Leader, LOLA Source: Keith Callaghan (scan) Describes the events which led up to the formation of LOLA's Personal Computing Group, how it has evolved since its inception and what problems it has encountered during its growth. Views expressed are the author's own. Sections: 1. Introduction, 2. ..... | Micro Computing | 1984 | Scan | ||
| PL/1 Module Tester - 66pp Author: Alan Cooper, Noel Sant, Joe Stansbury former technical support specialists, LOLA Source: Martin Jackson This manual describes how to use the PL/1 Module Tester. This was a test harness using the PL/1 Preprocessor, that simulated terminal inputs and outputs. It allowed a programmer to test their on-line transaction without the need to book a display ter..... | Technical | Some pages dated 1971 & 1975 | 1971-07 | Scan | |
| Gullible's Travels [an analysis of the pros and cons of ways of updating transaction screens] - 11pp Author: Steve Barfield, LOLA Source: Martin Jackson A handwritten paper together with 6 example printed screen shots comparing how LOLA transactions allow users to update information, either by directly changing a data field (over-typing) or by entering the changed data into a new field (old value/new..... | Technical | 1984-03-09 | Scan | Repro | |
| Summary of Operational Programs Maintained by SPG (as at 1st Sept 1978) [Table+Detailed Lists] - 15pp Author: SPG (Support Programming Group) Source: Martin Jackson Summary Table listing Applications with total number of programs in suites, breakdown (numbers) by Programming Language, Complexity, Frequent (Statutory), Mainly User, and Fairly Stable. 14 x Detailed Pages each listing all the programs in a suite, ..... | Operations | 1978-09 | Scan | ||
| LOLA Computer Hardware & Network diagram - 1pp Author: Operations, LOLA Source: John Alridge (scan) Shows the mainframe and network components following the installation of the IBM 370/158. PDF has additional 3 pp of notes by Alan Cooper. | Operations | 1973-09 | Scan | Repro | |
| LOLA Christmas Party 1971 - Souvenir Programme [in pink pocket folder] - 4pp Author: Sports & Social Club, LOLA Source: Martin Jackson A Souvenir Programme for the LOLA Christmas Party 1971, held at The George, Enfield Town on 22 Dec 1971. Contents: Cover, Programme, Buffet, Entertainment, Cabaret, Public Transport times. See the photos for this and similar events. | Sports & Social | 1971-12-22 | Scan | ||
| LOLA News No. 72, December 1980 [example from Asset No. 2250] - 22pp Author: various Source: Martin Jackson An example LOLA News, the staff magazine, this being the earliest one available. This Christmas issue also commemorates the 10th Anniversary of the creation of LOLA. It contains Christmas greetings from the Councils' LOLA Committee Chair and LOLA's D..... | Sports & Social | 1980-12 | Scan | ||
| LOLA Cricket Newsletter, No. 1, 22/6/81 [within yellow pocket folder] - 2pp Author: Alan Blanks, Programmer, LOLA Source: Martin Jackson Newsletter of 2 pages and 3 pages of player stats) of the first Cricket Newsletter. Written by Alan Blanks in very neat handwriting. Alan was a respected and very well liked founder employee who was involved in much of LOLA's social life. Tragically ..... | Sports & Social | 1981-06-22 | Scan | ||
| LOLA News No. 85, June 1985 [example from Asset No. 2250] - 20pp Author: various Source: Martin Jackson An example LOLA News, the staff magazine. This issue contains a tribute to the Director, Derek Schartua on his retirement. It contains copies of article from LOLA News in 1972 & 1975, photos from 1973 & 1980 and a list of notable dates in Derek's car..... | Sports & Social | 1985-06 | Scan | ||
| Bowling [Ten Pin] Averages as at 30 Oct 75 [computer printout] [from yellow folder] - 1pp Author: LOLA Source: Martin Jackson From the early days the Sports & Social Club had a Ten Pin Bowling group that played at the Hoddesdon Bowl (until that burnt down when the group played at the David Lloyd Centre in Enfield). A program was written to run on the mainframe to maintain a..... | Sports & Social | 1975-10-30 | Scan | ||
| LOLA Brochure [2nd version] [Colour] - 8pp Author: LOLA Source: Martin Jackson A professionally created coloured brochure about LBMSU, LOLA, the LEO lll and IBM 360/50 computers, and the benefits the new system will deliver to the participating Borough Councils. Date 1974 is based on text referencing LOLA acquiring the IBM 370/..... | External | 1973 | Scan | ||
| Experiences in using IMS/2 for a consortium of Local Authorities - 9pp Author: A. J. O'Brien [Tony O'Brien], Technical Services Manager, LOLA Source: Alan Cooper (photocopy) Presentation to PATRAC. Outlines the development of the first Rates application, the data base design and the technical challenges arising from using the new IMS software. Includes the presentation's 8 slides of database structures (2pp) | External | 1973-03-22 | Scan | Repro | |
| London Boroughs On-line rating system - 8pp Author: S. Wood, Computer Liaison officer, Haringey Source: Alan Cooper Describes how the work processes have changed and drastically speeded-up in the Rates office following the move to the LOLA on-line real-time system. Appendix A list the 9 Rates transactions and the functions they perform. Journal is produced by the ..... | External | 1973-07 | Scan | Repro | |
| IMS/2 at LOLA - 13pp Author: K. W. S. Lewis [Ken Lewis], Database Manager, LOLA Source: Alan Cooper Presentation to NCC Database Software Conference, Bristol, UK. Outlines the development of the first Rates application, the data base design and the technical challenges arising from using the new IMS software. Includes the presentation's 18 slides ..... | External | 1973-11 | Scan | Repro | |
| Why only LOLA appears to be succeeding - 1pp Author: Roger Green, Computing magazine Source: Alan Cooper Compares the success of LOLA with the less ambitious London Boroughs Joint Computer Committee's (LBJCC) approach and decline. Reproduced with permission of Computing ©. | External | 1977-03-24 | Scan | Repro | |
| Case Study - LOLA - Open University Course M352 Computer-based Information Systems - 34pp Author: M352 Course Team Source: Martin Jackson In 1978 the Open University produced a LOLA Case Study to support a module in their Mathematics course M352 Computer-based Information Systems. The document focuses on the Rates application and provides details on the data requirements and data base ..... | External | 1980 | Scan | ||
| Case Study - LOLA - Open University Course M352 Computer-based Information Systems, Video Synopsis - 34pp Author: Alan Cooper, LOLA Database Administrator. Source: Alan Cooper To accompany the 1978 the Open University LOLA Case Study [see Asset 2360] they made a 24 minute video with LOLA and Hillingdon staff presenting. In 2025 the video was made available on-line for 2 weeks on request for personal use only. This document..... | External | 2025-06 | | ||
| LOLA Computer Services [Booklet] - 16pp Author: LOLA Source: Martin Jackson An A5 booklet briefly describing 16 applications plus 7 packages and other technical and support facilities available to LOLA customers. Back page lists the departments within the Computer Division. Undated but dated a per the other booklet in the s..... | External | estimated | 1986 | Scan | Repro |
| LOLA Brochure [Black & White] - 12pp Author: LOLA Source: Martin Jackson An A5 black & white booklet that describes What is LOLA?, The Facilities, The Administration, The Computer, Statistics, The Organisation, Applications, Planning and Consultancy, Computer Division, Staff and location map. | External | 1986-03 | Scan | Repro | |
| LOLA Brochure [1st version] [Colour] - 8pp Author: LOLA Source: John Alridge (scan) A professionally created coloured brochure about LBMSU, LOLA, the LEO lll and IBM 360/50 computers, and the benefits the new system will deliver to the participating Borough Councils. Note: See Asset No. 2310 for a 2nd later edition. | External | 1972 | Scan | Repro | |
| London boroughs 'on-line' - 4pp Author: Derek Schartau, Head of Computer Services, LOLA Source: Alan Cooper (scan) Outlines the creation of LOLA, the cost justification, the data conversion aspects and the next phase. Photos of a video-display unit in operation at Haringey rates office and an operator at the IBM 360/50 console. Reproduced with permission of the B..... | External | 1972-12-29 | Scan | Repro | |
| Sale of London computer consortium sparks battle - 1pp Author: Dan Jelllinek Source: Martin Jackson (scan) Magazine article concerning the bids from Capita and CFM to purchase LOLA. LOLA is quoted as saying the sale allows further development outside the restrictions of the Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970 and to pre-empt the extension of c..... | External | probably | 1992 | Scan | |
| IBM System/360 Reference Data [Green Folded Card] - 8pp Author: IBM Source: Alan Cooper A handy concertina reference card for IBM System/360 programmers giving such information as the machine and assembler instruction set, condition codes, interruption codes, hexidecimal & decimal conversions, powers of 2 & 16, status & channel address ..... | Non LOLA | circa | 1970 | Scan | |
| Flowcharting Template [3rd] - 2pp Author: IBM Source: Jim Fothergill A semi opaque green plastic sheet with cut-outs for the various flowcharting symbols such as processing, punch cards, document, display, communication line. In the 1960s analysts and programmers were expected to draw by hand the program design logic ..... | Non LOLA | 1970-12 | Scan | ||
Generated from LOLA Catalogue v14.xls created 2025-06-01 at 19:47:02. Generated on 2025-06-01 at 19:49:43
Copyright: Both LOLA and LBMSU have now closed and I have been unable to locate the current intellectual owners. If you are the copyright holder of any of these articles then please contact me at the email address below.
If you have any more documents then please contact Alan Cooper via the Contact page.