Page 115 - DLIS007_LIBRARY AUTOMATION

Library Automation

Notes a panel of subject experts who will be willing to participate in the selection process by giving
objective opinions and advice.

6.3.2 Job Analysis

The work of Document Selection consists of the following items:

Sources

Sources for acquiring work
Sources for arranging work
Selection

Document Selection work
Document Selection carding work
Document Selection consultation work

Indents

Indents scrutinising work
Indents passing work

Finance

Allotment work

Allotment watching work
In turn, each of the items consists of jobs which may be hourly, daily, weekly, fortnightly,
monthly, etc. Details regarding each of the jobs are dealt with in Ranganathan’s magnum opus
Library Administration. It would be interesting to note that he has not only given a Table of
Correlation showing the jobs that bring the document selection section into contact with other
sections, but also has given an Illustrative Time Scheme for the different jobs.

6.3.3 Procedure

The actual process of document selection may be initiated in different ways. The acquisition staff
takes note of the desirable items and presents them to the subject experts for approval.
Alternatively the subject experts themselves or the subject departments may make indents for
items they recommend. In both instances, the acquisition staffs are responsible for the routine
jobs connected with selection. It is their duty to collect, complete and correct information on the
documents. So also it is their risk to allow all unnecessary and unintentional duplications.
Therefore, adequate care should be taken to ensure that the items selected are not already
available in the library. An acceptable selection procedure can be outlined as follows:
1. Scanning: All the currently received sources should be scanned regularly. Old sources
should be scanned only for specific needs. Items found desirable may be ticked off in the
sources: Your knowledge about the existing collection and about the items already selected
or ordered will help you in avoiding duplication at this stage. If necessary, the marked
items may be forwarded to the librarian and his concurrence obtained.

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