Where are we going in library automation? - discuss what is the status of library automation in Malaysia/Asia.
Library automation can be defined simply as the use of and networking technologies in the library.
Areas of Library Automation:
- Automation of library functions
- Use of electronic resources within the library (e.g. CD-ROMs)
- Accessing remote electronic resources (e.g. the Internet)
- Office automation (e.g. word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, etc.)
- Patron services (e.g. computer laboratory, multimedia center)
Objectives of Library Automation:
- To improve the level of service and quality of output
- To fulfill needs that cannot be achieved by manual system:
- Sharing of resources
- Information that appears only in electronic format (e.g. CD-ROM, Internet resources, databases, etc.
Library Automation Steps
Planning is time-consuming, but it is usually cost-effective because time spent planning reduces the amount of time required for system implementation. Steps involved are:
Step 1: Describing existing library services and technology
- Identifying existing services and functions provided by the library
- Identifying existing technology being used in the library
- Collecting and organizing basic statistical data
Step 2: Assessing needs and setting priorities
- Who should be involved in planning?
- Needs assessment
- Identifying approaches to satisfy the needs
- Setting priorities
- Developing a preliminary budget
Step 3: Translating needs and priorities into specifications
- Designing specifications
- Preparing and distributing the Request for Proposal (RFP)
Step 4: Evaluating proposals and selecting a system
- Making the first cut
- Seeing system demonstrations
- Analyzing vendor responses
- Costs
- Obtaining responses from vendor's clients
- Making the final cut
Step 5: Putting your system into place
- Contract negotiations
- Hardware and software installation
- Training
Step 6: Retrospective conversion and barcoding
Example of Library automation
This video shows that RFID technology has in the UHF space & can benefit vastly to large public/private libraries by eliminating the human element alongwith the potential for errors besides completely streamlining & automating the process
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