Page 100 - DLIS007_LIBRARY AUTOMATION

Unit 5: Management of Library Automation

Manpower = f (number of records and speed) Notes
Manpower Quality = f (wages and training)
Supervision = f (quality and speed)
Speed = f (manpower, quality, number of fields)

Period = f (number of records, fields, speed)
If anyone of these variables is changed it may affect several others. It implies that a single
variable cannot be changed with affecting the related parameters. The above variables mean:
Budget: Total budget of the conversion project.

Quality: Standards and freedom from errors of records on OPAC.
Manpower: Number of persons working on the conversion project.

5.3.4 Problem in Retrospective Conversion

Retrospective conversion solves the problem of entering the data on each item in the library
into a computer system. But though it has many advantages, it has also some limitations. Some
of the disadvantages are mentioned below:
Lack of standardization among the national MARC format in assigning content designators
to elements of information in the machine readable record.

Diverse functions of bibliographic agencies.
Lack of an internationally accepted cataloguing code for machine readable cataloguing
record.

Lack of agreement among different bibliographical communities in organizing data
contents in machine readable record.
Lack of agreement as to the function of content designators.
Lack of money by a small library creates problem in retrospective conversion.

Lack of expertise required to meet the standard for retrospective conversion.
Retrospective conversion always demands standardization of bibliographic content and
machine format.
Incomplete or incorrect bibliographic information makes it impossible to match the shelf
list cards with the correct MARC records. The result is the addition of an incorrect record
to the database or the need to return the title to you for additional information.
Today, the computers have entered each and every area of a library. The library automation is
the application of modern technologies including the application of computer hardware and
software, different storage medias, telecommunications, etc. which help the mechanization of
any activity in the library. To implement the computer in the library, the selection of proper
hardware and software forms an essential part. If proper software is selected, it will automatically
generate or create OPAC which will replace the traditional card catalogue of the library. The
feature-rich software will also have the provision of retrospective conversion. It will help the
library to enter minimum of details about the document in their collection in the database of
some other libraries and will help in getting the full bibliographic record of the document that
can be embedded in the local database.
There are different software packages available for different activities of a library. Sometime
they are bundled together with lots of cool features to form integrated library management
software.

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